So I'm considering selling a couple old revolvers that I inherited from my grandpa. The first one is a .38.
- says model 36 when you open the cylinder
- hand ejector
-3" barrel
- serial on bottom of handle is J400624
-it is in very good condition. Bluing looks amazing

The second one is a .32 long ctg
-when you open the cylinder it says 6089
- hand ejector
- serial on bottom of grip says 182258
- barrel has a lot of writing on it with different dates.
- about 3.5" barrel
- some idiot scratched their initials in it, not too deep, easily removed with a rebluing I think. It's in fair-good condition.

Pictures will be added soon. Thank you for any help!

[img]https://i.imgur.com/5ANQQ7K_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium[\img]

In this picture you see the initials on the bottom pistol
https://i.imgur.com/OlG6AKy_d.jpg?ma...idelity=medium

I can't help with value but I think the reblue on the .32 will be a wash, or worse. Whatever value you think will be recouped by getting rid of the initials will be removed multiple times over by the fact that the finish isn't original. There's the loss in value + the cost of the reblue.

Well that's too bad. So you're saying it's worthless basically?

Welcome to the Forum.

No, it won't gain any value by refinishing. Right now, it is worth about $200-250, depending on your location.

Are you sure you want to get rid of family guns? I received my dad's guns when he died and none of them are for sale. I only have one that belonged to granddaddy and it will NEVER be sold while I'm still breathing.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I hear ya. I received quite a few guns from him when he passed, shotguns, rifles, pistols. Just trying to thin the herd a bit. My safe can only hold so many!

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

Worthless is not the word I'd use. Yes, the initials detract from a collector gun. Those little 32s are a hoot to shoot, and somebody who wanted a shooter would likely pay you what Muley Gil suggested for it. I'd guess it to be from about the mid-19-teens.

The Model 36, on the other hand, if it were cleaned up, might fetch as much as $350 - $400. It appears to only have finger smudges on it, but if the finish is truly challenged maybe a bit less. Mid-1970s is about its vintage. Does it say 36-1?

Best of luck with your decision. If I'd gotten 'em from my grandpa I sure wouldn't sell 'em either.

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Having just lost a bunch of Smiths, I would be interested in buying both of them if we can come to an agreeable price.

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Oderint dum Metuant

The 36s finish is what I'd call very good, almost immaculate. I think what you're seeing is just finger smudges like you said. It only says 36 no -1. On the cylinder arm on the inside it's marked 885x2 and below that there's a large stamp that I think is F 19.

Hmmmm. I find the Model number curious. The company started the Model 36-1 in 1967 to signify a 3" heavy barrel, and based on the serial number yours is likely from 1976 or '77.

The rest of the numbers are machine numbers used to assemble the pieces. Once workers assembled the gun those numbers lost their significance.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Ya I'm not sure it just says MOD.36 would there be anything under the grips of interest to you?

The OP's revolver is a tapered barrel, not the heavy barrel.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I'm pretty sure his Model 36 has a heavy barrel, and the SCSW says the heavy barrel was standard beginning in '75, at least a year before his gun shipped.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Early frames used soon after a change, ie., already in inventory and stamped Mod 36, will not have the -1 yet. It's a righteous gun.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Yeah, would be nice for you to know whether the serial number on the inside of the right grip matches the number on the butt.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

The 36 looks like a tapered barrel to me, the front sight is much taller than the FS on a HB. More sight blade to compensate for the reduced barrel diameter.

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Tony