Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961

Notices

S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-08-2021, 03:49 PM
DARE's Avatar
DARE DARE is online now
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Sherman, TX
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 3,312
Liked 4,333 Times in 735 Posts
Default RM Value

Interested in what y'all think my RM is worth.
SN 47138, REG 657. Shipped 12/24/1935 to Potchernick's in San Antonio, TX. 5" barrel, blue, McGivern gold bead front and square notch rear, Magna style stocks. My letter says appears to have been owned by an FBI agent in the San Antonio, Tx area.
One of my S&WHF documents says gun is property of Jomer C White, c/o The Federal Bureau of Investigation.
There was not an agent named Jomer, but there was an agent named James C (Doc) White assigned to San Antonio office during the time my gun was sold and returned to S&W for repair.
I think Jomer is a typo or error and my gun was owned by James C (Doc) White. JC White was a Texas Ranger and somewhat prominent FBI agent in the 30's .
My gun has no accessories or box, and grips are not correct. Had Curtis Harlow make a set of reproduction magnas.
There are a couple of threads about my gun. .357 Magnum REG 657 and .357 Magnum REG 657 Update.
In the pre-war .357 Magnum database, Terry Lester lists my gun at 96% and says it was owned by Texas Ranger and FBI agent James C White.
I have no plans to sell the gun, but my son might once I am gone. Would recommend that he try this site to dispose of it.
Appreciate any help.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20211108_131120.jpg (155.6 KB, 346 views)
File Type: jpg 20211108_131308.jpg (154.8 KB, 285 views)
__________________
David Reynolds
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-08-2021, 04:17 PM
Modified's Avatar
Modified Modified is offline
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Flathead Valley, Montana
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 2,593
Liked 12,781 Times in 1,815 Posts
Default

In the current market something like ~6 to ~9k. It's hard to say for sure what premium the FBI ownership adds. The configuration is great, and desirable. The lack of original stocks is a real negative. Although I wouldn't personally just look for a set of real original Magnas, if anything I'd look at original Ropers (non-thumbrest). The gun will not be original ever again anyway, Ropers are a real upgrade, are wonderful or shooting, and hold their value well.

As it sits the gun would likely be purchased as if they didn't have stocks at all.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 11-08-2021, 04:27 PM
rct269 rct269 is offline
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Pikeville, Tennessee
Posts: 6,064
Likes: 923
Liked 9,959 Times in 3,660 Posts
Default

Mine, 98-99% (a Cheely gun), #643, 6.5 ", Roper Thumb-rest Target grips, no LEO connection, nothing else besides gun, sold for $7500 within the last 2 years.

Ralph Tremaine
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 11-08-2021, 04:58 PM
Ruger 1,3 Ruger 1,3 is offline
Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 341
Liked 966 Times in 534 Posts
Default

Are the grips original?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-08-2021, 05:05 PM
outta_ammo's Avatar
outta_ammo outta_ammo is offline
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: McMinnville, OR
Posts: 503
Likes: 1,432
Liked 1,613 Times in 348 Posts
Default

The last 20 RMs I've watched go by on GB and other auction sites went for a median price of $6,613. The high was $14,857 with solid provenance. Sounds like you're towards the later catetory.
__________________
Alden
Guns N' Rosés
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 11-08-2021, 05:09 PM
Doug627's Avatar
Doug627 Doug627 is offline
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 3,389
Likes: 15,219
Liked 10,132 Times in 2,503 Posts
Default

Ruger 1,3: Read the OP closely. He says the stocks are not original. I've made the same mistake myself when reading too fast.
__________________
That's gonna leave a mark.

Last edited by Doug627; 11-08-2021 at 05:11 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-08-2021, 07:15 PM
rct269 rct269 is offline
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Pikeville, Tennessee
Posts: 6,064
Likes: 923
Liked 9,959 Times in 3,660 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruger 1,3 View Post
Are the grips original?
Assuming you're talking to me, the grips are real Ropers, but the gun is not one of the 6 "factory fitted" with Ropers. I don't even know what Jinks meant by "factory fitted"---other than perhaps simply that there were 6 RMs shipped with Roper grips installed----and I'd bet money on that (not very much money I grant you, but a little dab just to make it interesting).

Ralph Tremaine
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-08-2021, 07:31 PM
lawandorder's Avatar
lawandorder lawandorder is offline
Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 15,043
Liked 10,822 Times in 2,009 Posts
Default

There are two audiences for the revolver if it ever comes up for sale, RM Afficinados and collectors of historical Law Enforcement artifacts.

Google the owner, Doc White was pretty famous..
__________________
LEX ET ORDO
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 11-08-2021, 08:39 PM
Goblin Goblin is offline
Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: May 2014
Location: North Texas
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 2,455
Liked 1,148 Times in 608 Posts
Default

I think you already know the gun with no history would start at $5k. I’m thinking in the $7,000 range.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 11-08-2021, 09:45 PM
MrG5122 MrG5122 is offline
Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 916
Likes: 1,409
Liked 1,083 Times in 361 Posts
Default

Didn't we talk about this gun a few weeks/month ago? I remember 'Jomer'.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-08-2021, 11:20 PM
handejector's Avatar
handejector handejector is offline
Administrator
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 27,013
Likes: 8,991
Liked 48,761 Times in 9,259 Posts
Default

First, I am valuing the gun with Factory magnas. Even though they won't be original to the gun, it needs Factory grips.

I have sold guns that belonged to Texas Rangers. I have sold guns that belonged to FBI agents.
An FBI gun is a different game from other Reg Mags. A Texas Ranger gun of any type is a different game from any similar gun. A Reg Mag that belonged to a guy that was both a Texas Ranger and an FBI agent is probably unique.
With Factory grips on it, I would price that gun at $30,000 minimum. Starting below that would be foolish.
At some auction house like Rock Island or Morphy, there is no predicting what it might do if you can provide a lot of provenance.
__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-09-2021, 12:18 PM
DARE's Avatar
DARE DARE is online now
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Sherman, TX
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 3,312
Liked 4,333 Times in 735 Posts
Default Wow

Thanks for the feedback. Guess I need a set of original magna stocks. What would be the best way to find some?
Appreciate you guys as always.
__________________
David Reynolds
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-09-2021, 12:37 PM
murphydog's Avatar
murphydog murphydog is offline
Moderator
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,896
Likes: 987
Liked 19,015 Times in 9,304 Posts
Default

I would first try a Wanted to Buy ad on both the public and SWCA sides.
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #14  
Old 11-09-2021, 08:55 PM
paplinker paplinker is offline
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: pa
Posts: 3,070
Likes: 4,010
Liked 5,305 Times in 1,444 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JADARE View Post
Thanks for the feedback. Guess I need a set of original magna stocks. What would be the best way to find some?
Appreciate you guys as always.
You just missed a nice set on the for sale side.

You should try the WTB section and make an ad.

Some sets show up on ebay but you should really study the pics as most have work done to them.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #15  
Old 11-25-2021, 11:39 AM
lestert357's Avatar
lestert357 lestert357 is offline
US Veteran
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 1,015
Liked 10,654 Times in 3,388 Posts
Default

Nice to see that gun finally got the grips it deserves!
__________________
Terry Lester
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 11-25-2021, 11:42 AM
VM VM is offline
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: HoosieRama
Posts: 6,979
Likes: 2,396
Liked 3,853 Times in 1,401 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JADARE View Post
Here is the gun with a set of pre-war magna stocks. Many thanks to Lee Jarrett. He had a set that I think look very nice.
The grips look great and you couldn’t have dealt with a better Man.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #17  
Old 02-20-2024, 10:45 PM
DARE's Avatar
DARE DARE is online now
SWCA Member
RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value RM Value  
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Sherman, TX
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 3,312
Liked 4,333 Times in 735 Posts
Default

Looking at this old thread and saw I did not have a picture of the gun with correct grips. Think I did at one time but had it moved it to a different thread.


RM Value-20240117_152927-8-jpg
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20240117_152927 (8).jpg (140.0 KB, 75 views)
__________________
David Reynolds

Last edited by DARE; 02-21-2024 at 12:39 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
Reply


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:58 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)