I received this gun serial#1819 about 16 years ago from an elderly lady. The story I was told is that her father was C K Davis who was a large developer back in the day. She stated this was one of three guns given to him as a gift from Smith and Wesson. His name is engraved on the side of the gun. She passed shortly after I received the gun and was unable to verify any of the story. I have sent the information to Smith and Wesson gun history and waiting a response. Im wondering what the gun may be worth with or without the story being true or not. Ive seen may guns like it on her with much older serial numbers but nothing this old. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

Also as you can see I have the original box and tools. It appears it never has been fired. There is a very slight ring on the cylinder but no evidence of gun powder.

Thanks again for any help.

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This is the wrong part of the forum for a Chief

Not sure where else to post. Revolver thread is either antique or 1960's and later. Im sure its older than 1960.

?????

Where else would I post it?

Antique, 1961-1980, 1980 on, or...

1896-1961! This one is from about 1954.

The letter may tell you it was a special/presentation gun, or it may have been engraved after leaving the factory and it will not be mentioned. A photo of the R side/engraving may help to ID it as factory, or not. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Your revolver is the Centennial model, not a Chief's Special. The Chiefs have a hammer; your gun is hammerless and has a grip safety. As an early example with no wear and the box, it certainly has collector value, but I don't know how the engraved name affects that.

Chief's Special ? Why do you say that ? The box label ( if it's the original box) will identify the gun as a Centennial Model. Maybe the box is wrong one for the gun ? Ed.

Actually, it IS a Chiefs Special-
a "Chiefs Special Hammerless"

Before they were named The Centennial, the factory called them that, and that is almost certainly what his box says.
See pics here-
Early Centennials

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I stand corrected. Lee has reminded us that S&W did call the early hammerless guns "Chiefs Special Hammerless" and the gun is early enough to be one of them. Ed.

Looks to be a very nice gun.
The screwdriver (called a "sight adjustment tool") was included with revolvers having adjustable sights, which yours does not have.
However...your "screwdriver" is worth about $100 all by itself!

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John

As for the engraving and its effect on the gun's value, you'll need to do some research on the gentleman. If he was important enough that it was, as you state it, "a gift FROM Smith and Wesson", and this is a factory engraving which is documented in the history letter, that could have a significant positive impact on the value for the right collector. In that case, collecting as much documentation as you can on the connection will be important. If it turns out to be a private engraving and a gift from someone else nobody knows, not so much. It may even reduce some people's interest.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the info. What would one expect to pay to purchase this gun with or with out the engraving. Im still waiting on the history letter for more info. But curious on the value with or without. Im looking to move it but dont know what it is worth.

Here is a picture of the engraving.

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You will get some educated opinions on value, but you might also wish to get on the Gunbroker.com auction website to see if there have been any actual sales of boxed Centennials in similar condition, and if so what was the actual realized price.

The lady I purchased the gun from also made reference to her father owning remington. I did find that there was a C K Davis (Charles Krum Davis) that was president of the company from 1933 to 1953 which would fall in the time frame of this gun.

That is a beautiful and complete example of the earliest hammerless Chief's Special. Especially with the box, tools, and those smooth rosewood magnas, I wouldn't take less than $1000 for it, if it were mine. And I'd feel lucky to get it for that, if it weren't.

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FBINA, 204th Session

There are a couple (but not quite this vintage) on Gunbroker now and $600 - $700 appears for a very nice one. But one with this provenance (having been given to the President of Remington by S&W) would probably double that value. Hopefully the letter will be able to stipulate that for you. It is currently running 4-5 months for a letter, and presently no new requests for letters is being accepted.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Yes I hoping to get something from Smith and Wesson to give me more information. I have also reached out to Remington to see if they can help at all.

I get thrown by requests on value. FMV is what similar things sell for. I could tell you 1500 dollars is what it is worth but without any basis it is only an opinion. Due the research on what similar guns have sold for and the price it. Just like in real estate.....they use comps to price a home in the same general area with the same general features and ta da an asking price is determined. You can ask whatever you want for it or try to find comps and determine FMV.....or ask for an opinion on value.......just my two cents. Very nice gun by the way.

"The lady I purchased the gun from also made reference to her father owning Remington"

Not too likely, as E. I. duPont took over the majority ownership of Remington in 1933.

Yes, but as said above, a C. K. Davis was chairman of the board and president of the company from 1933 to 1954. I found his credential in New Jersey mason records. For an old lady's memory, that would probably be close enough .

Sgrewe, besides Remington themselves you might also try the Remington Society of America. They are the association of Remington collectors and history buffs and might be more responsive than the company itself. Just google.

Wow!! I bought one at the local gun show two weeks ago for $80 and thought I was overpaying.

Thanks, I did post something there as well. Unfortunately there has been no response on that forum.

I have a S&W .38 SPL AIRWEIGHT snubnose 5 shot revolver that I have had for over 35 years. I am really curious when it was made, and the value of it today. Serial#219J81. Barrel length is 1 7/8". Model 37. It is in very good condition, as I have only shot it at the range, about 10 or 12 different times. Thank you for any information.

Welcome to the Forum.
Shouldn't really tag onto someone else's thread.
You should post a new thread in the 1961-80 forum with clear pic's of your Model 37. The forum experts will be able to help you with value based on the pic's. BTW the serial# dates to about 1972.

Very Nice Early Centennial. I have seen the Red Boxes on early J frames go for over $100 very easily and quickly. Highest one I have seen or bid on personally went for $360. So Ad say $150-$200 for box and $100 for SAT and your already at the price you would pay for an old Centennial in good condition if it were model marked and no box. Say early 1960s vintage.
I would say that set with box and paperwork without provenance verification would sell for over $1000 and under $1500 on an auction website. But that's just my guestimate. Look at the sold portion of gun auction sites to get your own idea. Its worth what you are willing to sell it for.
BTW can you post a pic of the box label? The s/n is usually grease pencilled on the bottom so you don't have to worry about the serial number showing. That number should match number on gun butt if it's the original box.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Since the OP already posted a pic of the S/N on the butt of the gun, I don't imagine he's too worried about anyone seeing the number on the box.

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S&W Forum Member #721

Very nice revolver you have there! I would be proud to own it. As DWalt said, a search of completed auctions on GB might yield an idea of value. Another, possibly more accurate indicator for YOUR revolver, would be to list it on Gunbroker (free to list) for 10-14 days with a ridiculous reserve (like $5000) and see where it goes. Will cost nothing but time and you won't sell it if the reserve is not met. I have used this method twice before to establish an idea of value and starting bid on any future auction with no reserve if you decide to sell it. I am sure some members here would love to own it and buy it from you, should you ever wish to sell it. Best of luck!
Jim

That Gunbroker strategy works, but people will hate you!

If it were mine, I'd seek out higher-end collectors or even an actual firearms appraiser for an opinion. If nothing else, you want as accurate a value as possible for insurance purposes. Not to insult anyone that's posted but something a little more professional than Gunbroker is in order for a firearm with some interesting history like this.

Just a momentary 'outside the box' please. Nowadays there's little excuse for not having a good quality photo files documenting tangible valuables. Just as in this Forum, verbal descriptions are generally a distant second to decent photos. (In the instance of guns, such certainly to include a serial number pix.)
I also use my file pix for forum info and discussions where it's otherwise too inconvenient to access the actual gun and begin an impromptu photo session.
While of course photos are subject to 'doctoring', absent some obvious irregularity, in civil law context they do generally constitute prima facie evidence attesting to content. Now add such as cloud storage and even the file pix are removed from many of the same casualty loss hazards potentially affecting the guns!
Apologies concerning this 'aside'. Yet a seemingly important point. And...
My take

Thanks everyone for the information. I am still waiting to here from S&W. I searched gun broker and saw a few sold for $600 range but were much newer and not in as nice shape. I am looking to sell this looking for a good bird shotgun.

Thanks again for all the info.

Well I spoke with the historian at Smith and Wesson today who all but confirmed the reports would indicate the gun was a gift to the president of remington CK Davis. He stated the 38 centennial pre model 40 was from 1953 and the engraving was most likely done at the factory and the records should indicate that.


Sent in my formal request for paperwork.

What does this do for the value?

Simply put, it goes up considerably.

This turns it into a rather singular collectible which you can't realistically price by looking at comparable guns on Gunbroker any more.

Once you have the documentation in hand, you might consider earlier advice about a professional appraisal. I don't know how many people are really experts in that segment of the collector market.

Thanks I appreciate it, not sure how long it will take for the paperwork but I will look into finding an appraisal.

Figure about 4 months for the history letter. I think it is hard to estimate the bump in value of the early gun with the box and factory inscription compared with one without the engraving and history; it may be of great historical interest to a Remington collector but it is a Smith & Wesson...

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

No, it is not.
That's why we have the hall monitors

Once you have all the documentation, you might want to start another thread titled something like "Advice on collectible appraisal sought". I have no experience at all with high-end and unique items since as a collector I tend to scrounge at the opposite end of the spectrum, but I know we have collectors of high-class firearms on this forum who may be able to offer you valuable input, not on the value of the gun as such, but how to go about getting a quality expert appraisal.