Another one I think I might have to buy

[BC38]

A gent I've bought a couple from recently sent me a couple of photos of an old M&P. Haven't seen it in person yet, but in these two photos it looks like a well worn example of a 1903 (I think) with the dished gold medallions.
Asking price is $350.
Any thoughts?

[Muley Gil]

It looks refinished to me. I do like 5" round butt revolvers, so I would try and talk the price down somewhat.

I'm guessing it is Model of 1902 .38 special.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

It looks refinished to me. I do like 5" round butt revolvers, so I would try and talk the price down somewhat.

I'm guessing it is Model of 1902 .38 special.

The hammer and trigger look pretty dark - maybe blued. But the side seam looks good and the screw holes aren't dished.

Here's a larger picture of the right side.

If it is refinished, what is it worth?
If it isn't how much more would it be worth?

[Muley Gil]

I would say $250-$300 if re-blued, $325-475 if original.

The color of the frame seems a little off and the cylinder is showing a purple tint. Plus, the right grip looks like the majority of the checkering has been worn off.

[Absalom]

I’d have to concur with Muley.

The pictures are too “washed out” for a definite judgment, but the apparent bald spots on the right grip’s checkering don’t match the gun’s condition, the cylinder’s color seems off, and the ejector rod bluing appears too even and not worn off nearly enough for the age. The color of trigger and hammer is also a bit too monochrome, although photos can be deceiving on that.

[Chukar60]

May just be the pics but the edges look soft to me. With the trigger and hammer looking dark I would be suspect of a refinish as well.
If it is refinished, maybe $300 would be all I would do on it. If it is not, I may go $425.00 but that would be strong.
Just my valuation of it. Others may vary.

[bmcgilvray]

I'm probably way out of touch with today's market but if it is refinished, about $150 is all I'd want go on it. Yeah, $400 or so if original.

[BC38]

This gent isn't much of a photographer, for sure.

In the pictures he posted of the Pre-36 target I just bought from him the finish looked somewhat darker and better than what it actually turned out to be. Not a huge difference, but noticeable.

That kind of makes me suspect the finish on this one may not be as dark or as even as it looks in the pictures either. I'll be taking a look at it in person tomorrow. Maybe I'll get to take a few photos too.

If it is an original finish that is say, in the 80% or 85% range (like the Pre-36 turned out to be), then I'm thinking his $350 asking price might be just a tad high.

I'm thinking that it would probably be worth more with an 80% - 85% original finish than what it would be worth with a nice refinish even if it looks 90% or 95%, right?

BTW, I also noticed the checkering of the grips being pretty worn. But with the gold dished medallions and no significant chips, cracks or gouges, those would still have some value, even if the checkering is worn, wouldn't they? I mean, checkering can be pretty easily restored.

[mh51]

You'll have a better idea when you see it in person. I wouldn't put much value in the stocks....if you pay someone to restore them, you might sell them for enough to pay for the restoration.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by mh51

You'll have a better idea when you see it in person. I wouldn't put much value in the stocks....if you pay someone to restore them, you might sell them for enough to pay for the restoration.

Funny, for some reason I thought these stocks (in good shape) would be worth significantly more than the cost of restoration.
If not then obviously I wouldn't bother.
Might be time to get my own checkering tools though

[handejector]

It is reblued.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by handejector

It is reblued.

Probably right, but if so it appears to be a pretty decent job rom what I can see in the pics.

Unfortunately, the seller stayed home sick in bed today, so I didn't get to look at it yet.

Oh well, we're on for tomorrow hopefully. The good news is my regular FFL will be open tomorrow so the transfer won't cost me as much - if I buy it.

[BC38]

Well, I got to see it today.
Definitely a reblue, but other than bluing the trigger and hammer it seems to have been very well done. Rollmarks are nice and sharp and the side plate seam and screws all look very nice. The grips are indeed as worn as they appear.
Mechanically it seems great. Lockup, timing, endshake, trigger, are all excellent. Bore & cylinders look good, not prefect but very good.
Seller offered it to me for $300. So now I'm a bit torn, but leaning towards buying it.
Somebody want to talk me out of it? Or into it?

[Muley Gil]

Go for it. 5" round butt revolvers sure do point well.

[merl67]

Counter offer $250, and see what he says.

[Bob L]

I guess that five years from now, the $50 regardless if you buy it or not, will be long gone but the revolver will still be in your hands. I would go for it. Of course, that is just me and to me, that looks like it would be fun to shoot.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by merl67

Counter offer $250, and see what he says.

I already had to talk him down to $300 - he didn't lower his price voluntarily.

Originally Posted by Bob L

I guess that five years from now, the $50 regardless if you buy it or not, will be long gone but the revolver will still be in your hands. I would go for it. Of course, that is just me and to me, that looks like it would be fun to shoot.

Very valid point. And if the anti-gunners get their way revolvers are all we'll be left with in a few years.
At that point these old shooters will likely be as good as gold

[Waveski]

$300 isn't terrible , but personally I wouldn't bite. The character is all washed away ; it is a decent refinish but not great. The dark ejector rod and odd look to cylinder scream NOT ORIGINAL , even in the murky pictures.

With nice patina , as a good old shooter I might go. Black jellybean finish ... there are many more to choose from.

My 1902 , acquired a couple of years back for about $240. (I think I re-gripped , still under $300)

Personal choice , your call. Let us know.

[JH1951]

I am in agreement with Waveski. I would hold on to the $$ and wait for something else to present itself. But that's just me. If you really want it, I am not going to talk you out of enjoying it.
Please let us know what you decide!

[BC38]

Hmmn, two for and two against...

[hkcavalier]

Looks more like a 6".

Here's my 5"

[k22fan]

Forget collectors' value. Since you are in the mood to buy shooters to reload for and casually target shoot with the question is can you find another that will be more fun to shoot for $300? Not likely. What's the worst that can happen? You loose interest in a few years and sell it for a loss? By then these same members will be telling you that it is worth $350? $400? Even if you take a loss it will have cost less per hour than any alternative entertainment businesses will sell you. Buy it tomorrow.

[18robert]

i also have a revolver of this vintage. at my table ( private sale ) at a recent gunshow a dealer told me this vintage was unsafe with new ammo. any comments about that ?

[tlawler]

Originally Posted by 18robert

i also have a revolver of this vintage. at my table ( private sale ) at a recent gunshow a dealer told me this vintage was unsafe with new ammo. any comments about that ?

Probably referring to when S&W began heat treating frames and cylinders around 1919 for models other than the 1917 .45ACP, which was heat treated from it’s introduction in 1917. Anything prior to that would be questionable with modern ammo.

[H Richard]

Even non heat treated revolvers are safe with standard velocity and more so with light target loads. What's more fun than target loads in a K Frame.

[Waveski]

Originally Posted by k22fan

Forget collectors' value. Since you are in the mood to buy shooters to reload for and casually target shoot with the question is can you find another that will be more fun to shoot for $300? Not likely. What's the worst that can happen? You loose interest in few years and sell it for a loss? By then these same members will be telling you that it is worth $350? $400? Even if you take a loss it will have cost less per hour than any alternative entertainment businesses will sell you. Buy it tomorrow.

That is a perfectly reasonable way to break it down ; cannot argue against your logic.

It comes down to personal choice , mostly aesthetic.
Worn original vs refinished.

[Waveski]

JH1951 -

We '51 guys have to stick together eh?
CK1951

[Igiveup]

Well? Did you buy it? I would not hesitate to buy it as a shooter for $300. Just fun entertainment, what is a few dollars one way or the other?

[DEL56]

Waveski: Where did you get the grips for that 1902?

[BC38]

Originally Posted by Igiveup

Well? Did you buy it? I would not hesitate to buy it as a shooter for $300. Just fun entertainment, what is a few dollars one way or the other?

I haven't bought it yet, still thinking about it...