Pre-29 5 Screw 4 Inch Value?

[22hipower]

Was offered a really nice pre-29 4 inch (blue) with perfect Cokes, box (blue/black with blue interior) in very good condition, SAT and other tools. Probably had been fired but couldn't tell that by a cursory view. Seemed to be 98%+ with no immediately visible flaws. Didn't get the SN so am not sure of year but the LGS said 1957. Offered $3k but consignment price is $4k. I see this package so rarely that I don't know what is a reasonable price. Any thoughts as to value? I know that is tough without pictures.

Thanks.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[George_in_SD]

$4650 is absolute top, top dollar.

4k is a high, but still fair market value. Personally, I might come back at say $3500 and see what happens. I would go no higher than $3800.

[mbliss57]

I would start at $2k and move up if necessary.

[crsides]

A NIB example with original but not quite new box 4 screw pre 29 sold at the SWCA meeting last week for $3300. It was a 6 1/2, but I don't think the 4" would bring such a premium over the 6 1/2 for a gun in this condition. Neither would be considered a shooter.


Charlie

[haris1]

I think that a 1956 shipped one would be worth a premium as
it would be an earlier gun. The 6 1/2 came out first with the
4 inchers being shipped in the fall of 1956. Early guns always
have a premium to them. Good luck in your hunt!

[Doc44]

As described, $4,000 is not an unreasonable price. 44 Magnums with a 4-inch barrel and 5-screw frame in their original case with accessories are tough to find.

Bill

[05CarbonDRZ]

I would go back with $3,500 CASH......

[44R]

Supica & Nahas 3rd Edition (2006), pp. 161-163. First gun S/N S130927 left the factory Dec 15, 1955 as the NT-430, cataloged Jan 1956 with 4 and 6&1/2" bbls. Early guns shipped with black or dark blue pebble-grain presentation cases w/ S&W insignia and ".44 Magnum" on top, blue satin liner, aluminum or blue steel knurled screwdriver, cleaning rod w/ brass brush and threaded brass base. Early 1956 cases had a button slide release. Late 1956 cases had a clasp type latch. Total pre-Model 29 five-screw production is 6,500 (3,100 in 1956) S/N range is S130000 to 167500. Early guns have the six-grove back strap.

"Prices on the early guns and rarer variations continue to rise." Book at p. 162 mentions $2,500-2,000.00 auction prices for excellent guns in 2006. ANIB 3500, Exc 2000. Nickel five screws worth 2-3x values, 25% premium for 4" bbl, first 100 early guns worth 2x and substantial premium for uncatalogued barrel lengths. [That's from eight years ago.]

IMHO, $4,000.00 for a totally correct, as-new 4" six-grove 1956 version with excellent correct box and accessories and a Roy Jinks letter would be very reasonable, even cheap. Check Carroll dcarroll.net. He has a 1957 4" with all the accessories listed for $4,650 in a current auction. If the 1957 gun you are looking at is not 99%+ with all correct accessories and a correct very good+ condition box, then $4,000.00 would be high. These are sought-after, collectible and somewhat scarce but hardly rare. I would be picky about condition and want to see a factory letter in any event. Just my opinion. I always have my eye out for one of these for my small 44HE frame collection.

[Art Doc]

"Offered $3k but consignment price is $4k."

"4k is a high, but still fair market value."

"As described, $4,000 is not an unreasonable price."

Just in case anyone ever asks why I am not a collector...

[George_in_SD]

Originally Posted by SaxonPig

Just in case anyone ever asks why I am not a collector...

I'm just a J frame collector *grin*

[S&WIowegan]

Jeff,

If you're going to take a serious run at this gun, spend some real quality time with it before buying. Get the store to take the stocks off and look for rework marks. The box, papers and tools need to be vetted too. All these items are important to the final price. If everything is kosher, $4k is not unreasonable. Good luck!

[rck281]

Originally Posted by 22hipower

... Probably had been fired but couldn't tell that by a cursory view. Seemed to be 98%+ with no immediately visible flaws.

IMHO Your description of 98% and couldn't tell if it had been fired are not consistent. The value of a 98% gun and near mint are quite different. A 4" 5-screw Pre-M29 in "can't tell if it's been fired" condition is tough to find. If it's near 100% condition, I think $4k if very reasonable. In fact, I wouldn't sell mine for $4500. I consider a 98% gun to have a drag line between cylinder lockup notches and slight muzzle wear. The 98% description is taken directly from the Blue Book description of a 98% gun. If the gun is 98%, then $4k may be high.

[22hipower]

Thanks to all for comments and input. I do need to take a closer look. As to my initial 98% condition estimate, no matter how good they look I usually use 98% as top end if it is not clearly NIB with no turn line. Usually find something I didn't see with the first review. In this case I need to get pictures, confirm the SN, check the box/tools against SWCA previous post info (thanks collectors for that), etc. Was very impressed with the package but when I thought it was $1000 too high I didn't give it the thorough review deserved. I'm going back this week to look again.

Thanks much for the suggestions and advice and I'll post pictures if I can get them.

Jeff
SWCA 1457