I was wondering about the value of the factory engraved N frames. In particular I have this 29-2 that came in the wooden box with all accessories. I see them on GB offered for what seems like very high asking prices; $2 or $3,000. I don't see any being bought at those prices though. Anyone want to offer an opinion of a real world value of one? I've been thinking of maybe selling a few guns to help with a large purchase and would appreciate some input as to what people are actually paying. Thanks for any thoughts.....

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

a jinks letter would authenticate it being factory. i am seeing some of the engraved guns going to investors rather than real gun collectors. for those people,a letter is almost a must since they don't really know what they are buying, as to factory or not. my guess would be in the $2000-2500 range on newer guns. guns engraved in the 50's bring more. check david carroll's site for some ideas.

Many of the engraved 44 Magnums offered for sale and dating to the mid-70s to early 80s are contract-engraved guns and usually are valued around $1500 at best. Your 29-2 appears to have been engraved by one of S&W's staff engravers (probably Russ Smith based on the location of the S&W logo) and is valued at around $2500 to $3,000.

Looks like a nice gun.

Bill

Thanks for the input. I have lettered the gun it was shipped in June 1977, "Class A" engraved. Mr. Jinks didn't indicate who did the engraving... It does not appear to have been fired but there is a turn line present.

Doc44: Your knowledge of all things Smith continues to inspire me. Thanks again for the information.

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

I pulled the grips and found this mark on the left side, just below where the engraving stops: "ENG. BY P.P." Any thoughts as to who the engraver would be? Thanks again...

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

The engraver is Paul Piquette. He started his engraving career with S&W in 76-77 and is considered one of the best. He worked there for many years before starting his own engraving business. The photo below shows a 125th Anniversary revolver engraved by Paul around 1980.

Bill

My only remaining factory engraved S&W is a 1980 M57, with full coverage. I paid $2000 for it probably 13 to 15 years ago. I liked the gun then, and I like it now. The seller had it up for sale for about 2 years and had been asking $2500. My feeling was it would never have sold at that price. Worse, it doesn't have a factory display case with it.

It does have one of the nicest sets of elephant ivory grips I've ever seen.

Keep in mind many people don't like engraved guns. Of the few who do, even fewer have and are willing to spend the money to buy them. So they play into a very limited market. If you've got one to sell, the trick is to display it (but not let the masses handle) to as many people as you can. If you're buying, or in the market to buy, take your time and look around. Prices seem to be kind of flexible. My reluctance to buy at $2500 got me the gun for $2000. It took a while, as in over a year of looking at it, to get it for what I felt was a fair price.

I've got a few more engraved guns that aren't factory work. My opinion is they're superior in workmanship. Its just my opinion, but back when I was buying them, my opinion is all that mattered. A subset of engraved guns are the inlaid guns. The ones where someone hammered pieces of gold or silver. Those are almost always terrible on factory work and much better on the aftermarket. Again, my opinion, but also my money flowing or remaining in my pocket.

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Dick Burg

Welcome to the Forum Lynn! It might be a good idea to start a separate thread on yours, you are more likely to get better answers that way. This is the first time I've seen an engraved HP, it's very cool and it looks like nice work!

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Even older, even crankier....

OK, for an opinion. I don't think the model number makes a whole lot of difference in the value. A great deal more depends on how well the engraving "works" on the gun in question. Just like everyone wants a dirty harry model 29, there are also a bunch of them out and about. Buying or selling an engraved gun means a limited supply of guns and a limited market.

If there were thousands of M28s engraved and for sale, the demand would be low for the next one. But there aren't all that many guns. And the one pictured above is a pretty nice one. My best guess is the seller, if they sell it, won't become rich enough to retire on the proceeds. But the gun could easily sell for $2000 or $2500. And it would be worth it to me. I don't even like M28s, either! While its not the only one engraved, I assume, its also a rare bird. Keep in mind not to advertise the ivory grips. Those are either illegal to sell, or might be very soon.

With the government playing games with ivory, the value may be zero. Or they'll want to confiscate them, and if they're attached to the gun, they may want that, too. With the uncertainty I would think the best course of action would be to very carefully remove them, give them a good wipe down in baby oil, then wrap them separately. The Feds aren't going to chisel off the keys from your Steinway piano, and they probably won't bother to remove the grips from your gun. They'll just confiscate the assembly. And the former owner won't be showin' much love for them after that.

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Dick Burg

Man that is nice!

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USAF AMMO

I think that your gun was engraved in Germany.An oak leaf motif is typical.American servicemen could have their guns embellished for very reasonable money.
I have a K22 that was engraved in Germany in 1954-it has a oak leaf and acorn motif,silver wire inlay not unlike yours,as well as a jeweled hammer and trigger.