Value on a 15-4 suicide gun.

[cavscout684]

I was just wondering if you experts could tell me what's the going rate on a 15-4 snub nose Smith and wesson are going for. It's blued and is at about 98%. Supposedly it came in on a police auction and had been a suicide gun.

Thanks in advance,
Cav

[rollin_hot]

Would'nt take it if it was free

[MR. IHC]

paid $375 for a 15-3 6 months ago. didn't even have a turn line. nice guns!

[aimedfire]

Originally Posted by rollin_hot

Would'nt take it if it was free

I would...

[Butchbird]

I have bought 2 suicide guns from Police auctons -- a Colt 1911-A1 and a Taurus 85 -- both are great guns and i'm not bothered by them at all -- I also have the Taurus 85CH that my Mother killed a home invader with about 15 years ago -- I will never part with it -- It lives in my console in my car ready to do it's thing again if needed

[alaskavett]

At least you know that they work. I don't see what its past brings to the table so far as value. None of my guns has ever spoken to me about what they did before being in my possession. Remember, it is a inert item with no mind of its own and did what it was tasked with doing. Its not like a car is responsible for its operator choosing to drive it while impaired. Right...? Kyle

[ogilvyspecial]

Originally Posted by alaskavett

Remember, it is a inert item with no mind of its own and did what it was tasked with doing.

That's my take on it, which is why I'm not bothered owning the Gun that one of my Brothers used to take his life with.

[badguybuster]

I wouldnt even hesitate. Nothing like a gun with a story behind it.

[Iggy]

Jeez, think of all of those M-1's and 1911's that should be destroyed because they did what they were made to do.

Give the gun a good home and it will serve you well.

[GatorFarmer]

As much as $450 maybe? Depends on your part of the country, some areas see a good premium for the 15 snubs. More commonly I'd think 350-375.

If there is distinctive blood pitting on it, that generally lowers the value since it damages the blued finish. Glocks and the like, eh, a bit of bleach spray to kill the germs and a soak in soapy water plus a scrub and they are fine.

Wouldn't bother me. I have lots of used guns, some close to 100 years old, one even older. I have no idea what they were or weren't used for in the past.

[murphydog]

I had this exact situation from firsthand knowledge. It is not rational or explainable, but it was creepy knowing its history and I wound up trading it away. If the story behind the model 15 doesn't bother you, it doesn't. Good luck with your decision.

[hdfinder47]

Two of my brother officers owned personal guns that they had been forced to use to take a life with, both in the line of duty. A gun shop in a nearby city offered them big bucks ($2500 each) for the guns if they could provide copies of police reports documenting (by serial numbers) that the guns had indeed been used to take a human life. Seems like there is some sort of (sick, IMO) market for this type of thing. (one was a early model 66 4" and the other a Springfield 45 standard - nothing fancy, just duty guns.) Neither officer sold to this shop. WTH?

[Dragon88]

Originally Posted by hdfinder47

Two of my brother officers owned personal guns that they had been forced to use to take a life with, both in the line of duty. A gun shop in a nearby city offered them big bucks ($2500 each) for the guns if they could provide copies of police reports documenting (by serial numbers) that the guns had indeed been used to take a human life. Seems like there is some sort of (sick, IMO) market for this type of thing. (one was a early model 66 4" and the other a Springfield 45 standard - nothing fancy, just duty guns.) Neither officer sold to this shop. WTH?

Wow that is sick. But just like anything twisted, I'm sure there's a market for it.

[tinbender]

Short barreled K frames seem to be in demand lately at our local gunshows and on the internet sites also. Regardless of the history,if it's a nice gun anything less than $400 seems like it would be a bargain.

[indiuckian]

Originally Posted by hdfinder47

Two of my brother officers owned personal guns that they had been forced to use to take a life with, both in the line of duty. A gun shop in a nearby city offered them big bucks ($2500 each) for the guns if they could provide copies of police reports documenting (by serial numbers) that the guns had indeed been used to take a human life. Seems like there is some sort of (sick, IMO) market for this type of thing. (one was a early model 66 4" and the other a Springfield 45 standard - nothing fancy, just duty guns.) Neither officer sold to this shop. WTH?

That's weird that they would assign a value to that. I guess if a man murdered a member of someones family and was then killed in a shoot out with police that the officers weapon that was used to dispatch the perp MAY have SOME value to a surviving family member. I don't know, it wouldn't to me but there is no accounting for taste (as anyone who has surfed the web can see.)

I picked up a Louisville police stamped 29-2 4 inch that was issued in the mid 70's to the TAC unit (precurser to SWAT) and I agree with the previous posters about a weapons past being irrelevant. I have no desire to know if it was used in combat or ever fired in defense. I just like it because it's part of my regions history.

However, with that being said, I had TWO Argentine weapons, A hi power and a Colt, they both would not take a blue due to the blood that had left been on them from pistol whipping someone I assume. They were both from Argentina's "Dirty War" period and the police that used these were kind of like the Gestapo in WW2. My wife's parents immigrated here from Argentina and I got rid of both weapons out of respect for them though I liked them both. It appears I pick and choose when a weapons history bothers me. I have a Winchester 6/44 m1 carbine that was never issued and a 1944 BCD K98 that was unissued as well. The GI took it off the storage rack at the factory and brought it home. (That's what his non gun loving son told me anyway). I love both of those guns because they were in the bloodiest conflict of all time and were never fired, but I wouldn't love them any less if they had been blooded. History is neither good nor bad. It just is.

IMHO,
Indiuckian

[Engine49guy]

I recently bought a Nickel snub 15 (-3?) for a bit under $400 like new no box or docs.
Traded it for a 4" Model 28.

I wouldnt put any additional value on a gun that shot someone unless the person killed was famous or infamous and the gun was documented beyond any doubt.

I seem to recall some commotion about a converted Victory K frame snub that was up for auction that belonged to Lee Harvey Oswald.

Of course it didnt kill anyone but it was his and the seller put a slight premium on the gun, Slight enough to start a bidding war on it.

Another interesting one that went up for auction belonged to the Hillside stangler.
I can only imagine how much Hitlers suicide ( PPK , ?) would go for at auction.
Certainly there will always be interest in these things.

Originally Posted by hdfinder47

Two of my brother officers owned personal guns that they had been forced to use to take a life with, both in the line of duty. A gun shop in a nearby city offered them big bucks ($2500 each) for the guns if they could provide copies of police reports documenting (by serial numbers) that the guns had indeed been used to take a human life. Seems like there is some sort of (sick, IMO) market for this type of thing. (one was a early model 66 4" and the other a Springfield 45 standard - nothing fancy, just duty guns.) Neither officer sold to this shop. WTH?

I am almost tempted to ask for this dealers number... our department shoots their fare share of bad guys down here....

HAPPY HOLIDAYS GUYS!

[Gamecock]

"Buy the gun, not the story."

Heard it a million times.

Joe

[RobertJ.]

Originally Posted by rollin_hot

Would'nt take it if it was free

Would you own a Walther from WW2? One that possibly killed American soldiers?

My dad told me once he would never own a Mitsubishi because they made Zero's during WW2. But he owned Mausers and Walthers. I could never figure that one out.

[cavscout684]

Thanks for all the responses guys!

The area I live in is Florida if that helps narrow down what the price should be. Just for the record the story doesn't bother me at all. Don't really care either way. I just thought it be interesting to throw that in there as when I saw the pistol last time it was still in a biohazard evidence bag and all bloody. 98% condition was the guess the store gave me that they thought it will be after cleanup.

[rags]

Originally Posted by alaskavett

At least you know that they work. I don't see what its past brings to the table so far as value. None of my guns has ever spoken to me about what they did before being in my possession. Remember, it is a inert item with no mind of its own and did what it was tasked with doing. Its not like a car is responsible for its operator choosing to drive it while impaired. Right...? Kyle

Why did that make me smerk? That's SO bad!! ...and I'm sick.

rags

[USBP SW]

My only advice is that you inspect it very thoroughly, inside and out, blood can deeply pit metal. I would be very surprised if the revolver is 98% after that much exposure to blood. Additionally, police evidence storage is notoriously harmful to fine firearms. Good luck in any event.

Steve

[Sportsterguy]

Originally Posted by rollin_hot

Would'nt take it if it was free

Count me in on that. Very creepy and hits close to home. Especially this time of year.

[Duke426]

Originally Posted by USBP SW

My only advice is that you inspect it very thoroughly, inside and out, blood can deeply pit metal. I would be very surprised if the revolver is 98% after that much exposure to blood. Additionally, police evidence storage is notoriously harmful to fine firearms. Good luck in any event.

Steve

+1

If the gun is "all bloody" I doubt it will clean up to any level of presentable, much less 98%.

As far as owning the thing I wouldn't have a problem with it's past. It is an inanimate object. It posesses no thoughts, feelings or powers on its own - contrary to what the anti-gun crowd would have you believe.

I'd be more concerned with the condition and function of the gun.

[michael thornton]

all the ones i have seen or owned were pitted pretty bad, i guess they dont clean them up? but the price on the ones i got was great! had a 21/2 686 and a 2 inch mod 10, did make me want to wash my hands after i used them.

[JohnAC]

An M1A came into a local shop the other day. I asked what the story was. It came in from a family who gave up 6 or so firearms because the man who owned them popped himself in the head.

I put the gun back on the rack.

I can't explain it. I don't know which gun he used, but I wanted no part of any of them. It just gave me the creeps.

A weapon used in battle is a whole different story. You look at an old M1 Garand and you wonder what stories it could tell. Maybe it ended lives, maybe not. Who knows? It's not as personal I guess.

[Frizzman]

I don't have any thoughts about the history of the revolver. I bought a 15-3 2" blued in very close to new condition with box, papers and tools for right at $400 last year. They are pretty scarce around these parts and I was lucky to spot it right after the dealer put it in the case for display. The one I have has a very nice trigger out of the box and is very accurate.

[REVCHARLIE]

30 or so years ago I bought a High Standard Pump Shotgun that a gentleman placed under his chin and pulled the trigger. I paid $30 for it.

Numerous "gentlemen" knew the guy and what he had done with that shotgun. I eventually traded it for a 1974 Ford Pinto that I drove for 6 or 7 years.

Best $30 I ever spent!!!

I'd be willing to bet you there are more collectors of "Confirmed Death Guns" out there than anyone would imagine!

[Gamecock]

I would expect blood to remove the bluing wherever it touched it.

Joe

[Sebago Son]

Originally Posted by REVCHARLIE

".. I eventually traded it for a 1974 Ford Pinto that I drove for 6 or 7 years...."

Lord Rev. A PINTO? Drove it for 7 years? ..... Now THAT would give me the creeps.....

Not at all uncommon for suicide guns to have ringed barrels and/or bite marks in the bluing... this would seriously effect my interest level....

[bravastar1]

[QUOTE=alaskavett;135745039]At least you know that they work.

Now that's funny,I don't care who you are.

[sheriffoconee]

Engine49guy,
You wrote
"I seem to recall some commotion about a converted Victory K frame snub that was up for auction that belonged to Lee Harvey Oswald.

Of course it didnt kill anyone but it was his and the seller put a slight premium on the gun, Slight enough to start a bidding war on it."

The converted 2" Victory Model was used to murder Dallas police officer J.D. Tippet (Serial Number V510210)
It is my understanding that this revolver is still in possession of the National Archives.

[EvenStephen]

My client used to own Jack Ruby's gun. He made up some of these and gave me one. There's a bullet that was fired thru the gun. The photo was signed by Earl Ruby, L.C. Graves and James R. Lavelle. The latter two are escorting Oswald and Graves signed the evidence tag for Cobra #2744

[4011]

Supposed to put a marker where Officer Tippet was slain. Took them long enough.

[David LaPell]

Personally I would have no issue with it, having owned several military guns which I am sure one might have been used to end a life. This is no different, just that the life ended was the guy holding it. I would be more concerned with any pitting, a bulge in the barrel etc. That would be my only concern.

[Gunsandguitars]

Originally Posted by Gamecock

I would expect blood to remove the bluing wherever it touched it.

Joe

And you would be correct. I'm an investigator with our sheriff's office. I've seen numerous blued handguns taken into evidence (usually suicides) and blood eats through bluing like acid.

It's always suprised me how many people want the gun with which their loved one killed themselves. Most are not expensive or desirable handguns or long guns. I personally wouldn't want the gun someone I loved used to kill themselves.

Oh, and more than a few wanted US to clean them. They're informed politely that the Sehriff's Office doesn't provide that service.

[Knightrider03m]

Its just a gun. If someone want to use that gun to turn off their lights then that is on them. It kind of goes on the same lines as, people kill people, guns don't kill people.

[Art Doc]

Now added as #103:
----------------------------------

Would you buy a suicide gun?

103. Why not? We always say that guns are tools with no will of their own when debating the gun control issue, don’t we? I happen to believe in that concept. I have one gun that I know for a fact was used to take a human life and many others (police and military arms) that certainly could have been so used. This doesn’t bother me a wit. BTW- Quite frequently “suicide guns” are ruined by blood stains that severely corrode the metal surfaces.

[kbm6893]

I wouldn't buy it. The suicide thing would bother me. And why even consider it when there are so many non-suicide used gun out there? is it such a good deal?

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by cavscout684

Thanks for all the responses guys!

The area I live in is Florida if that helps narrow down what the price should be. Just for the record the story doesn't bother me at all. Don't really care either way. I just thought it be interesting to throw that in there as when I saw the pistol last time it was still in a biohazard evidence bag and all bloody. 98% condition was the guess the store gave me that they thought it will be after cleanup.

That gun is probably not worth buying. Apart from pathogens, the blood will pit it.

[jagd1305]

I have a Jap Nambu my late father traded a pint of whiskey for on Iwo Jima when his B29 had to do an emergency landing in 1945. The marine he got it from told dad he would have to overlook the metal pitting and the smell of the wood grips due to blood and decomposition of its previous owner. It still shoots fine to this day.