All: Needing a price check on a Model 51, square butt. Condition is maybe 95%. No box or other goodies.
Thanks in advance!

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

As a previous owner of a model 51... all I can say is very loud, expensive to shoot and accuracy not up to par for my requirements. As far as value, I would expect the guys that collect "safe queen" guns would give more for it - (maybe $500 - $600) than a guy that wants one to shoot. A 34, 43 or 63 is a better rimfire plinker.

Thanks Ken. Got all of those, but the 51 represents a gap in my J-frame .22 collection. I was figuring 5 or 6 Bennies as well.

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

Anybody else with a Mod51 price report?

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

Alas! Here is one I had and traded off. I bought it new around 1971. Then I wrote smith and got a model 34 or 35 clyinder for it and had it fitted up to be a convertable. After that smith came out with it for a short while in their new catalog as a option. I would like to think I gave them the idea but of course ruger has done it for a long time so I just thought, why not?

I recently sold one with an "M" prefix serial number, in like new condition, but no box for $1350, shipped. The buyer was extremely motivated.

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

Definitely higher than $500, maybe $650-700, but $1350? Congratulations to you, sodacan!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

[QUOTE=murphydog;137266871]Definitely higher than $500, maybe $650-700, but $1350? Congratulations to you, sodacan![/QUOTE

Pretty amazing. The condition would have commanded a higher price any way, and it was unfired. After I bought it, I realized it needed a home where it would be appreciated, and it found one. My model 48 is the only .22 mag I need or want.

I have a one of six hundred made (1960 MFG) Model 51 round butt blue finish revolver with a 22LR cylinder and smooth (correct period) Rosewood grips, boxed, 99% that I wouldn't sell for less that $2295.

What about the value of a 98% condition m51 with box and a claim of being unfired, but a very light turn ring on the cylinder?

I can't find enough examples on gunbroker for a value sample

It has regular square butt grips, not magna's...


Are these not very accurate guns?

no box but grips have serial number in side.. very very clean. might be better than 95pct
Any idea what would be the best way to sell it? Gun broker? rtc?

Prices vary depending on condition but a fairly nice one starts about $750 and works up...

As to accuracy, if you put it in a Ransom Rest it would shoot as well as any S&W rimfire, in terms of "shootability" however J-frames can be a little problematic for some shooters. Getting a set of grips that fits ones hand vs. something that is small and original to the gun is the first trick. I use either S&W J-Target grips or Pachmayer Compacs on all my J's and it is a big help to accurate shooting.

I picked one up from the estate of a friend from the dealer who bought all the guns... He had two and one of my friends got the other one. Mine is in about 95% condition and the other 99%.

Have a picture of it somewhere but can't find it right now...has also been fitted with a Long Rife cylinder...

Bob

Last one I saw was in its box, nickel plated with an extra cylinder priced over $1,200.00, more than my wife allows me to invest at one time but I lusted anyway!

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Never saw a nickel 51. How many did they make?
If I saw one at $1200, it would probably scare me more than a little bit.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I.paid $600 for one last December. Bought it from a friend and I would estimate it to have 90 percent original finish.

I have one with the "M" serial number and have shot it for years. I first bought it in the early 70s and it was traded back and forth between a cousin and me several times. I traded it to him for a Ruger Hawkeye 256 once that I later sold when he didn't want to trade back. Um....Yup.... I have kicked myself a few times over that sale. I don't think $600 would buy my 51.

Buy at $600. Sell at $750.

Charlie

Resurrecting this thread, what is the significance to the "M" prefix??

I just purchased a Mod 51 that has an M14766 serial No. I would also like to know the significance of the M.

Thanks

In 1968 Fed law changed requiring at least one letter in the serial # so that no two guns could have the same serial # even though they were different models.

This was common prior to the letter inclusion. Chiefs Spls got a J that rotated, Kit Guns/Targets got an M prefix, 32 S&W got an H, 38 S&W got an R, and those are just the J frames.

Change began again in 1980 with triple alpha, four numeric serial #s.

“The reason for the triple alpha-numeric serial number system is that S&W ran out of serial numbers that they had been using up to the 1980 and need a serial number series that had enough number possibilities to keep them going for many years. The first guns in the triple alpha four numeric series was the L frame revolvers starting AAA0001 in 1980. The rest of the models were slow phased in from 1980 to approximate 1983. When it came time to assign the new series to the auto-loading handguns they were started at TAA0001. After this the company jumped around in the new series depending if there was a demand for a special number. I actually have three guns serial numbered RGJ0001 - 0003 and they are all different models. ATF objected to the company assigning special numbers and so now they are in a little better order.” Roy

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thank you very much Sir!
Ed

If you've gotten this far this a thread from 2013. I just picked this Model 51 up at a gun show yesterday and it has not yet been cleaned by me. It came with some rubber Pacs which I replaced and you can see the marks left behind. Serial is 826xx so I'm thinking around 1963 date and should have diamond grips. What do you experts see as the value today and any other comments. Probably 90% condition at best. Thanks

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