Hey gang, long time, no post...

Our shop has acquired a lot of 40 firearms from an estate. Quite an impressive collection. One of the eye-catchers is a Smith Model 36 Chiefs special with a lot of engraving and bling plus some bone(?) grips. It is really quite stunning.

Pictures:

















So, based on the card displayed, this engraving was obviously not done by Smith. The box and papers are there, but the box is in just OK condition.

I hastily took and cropped these photos. I don't know how well they come across, but the gun is absolutely beautiful. I thought I'd pick the brain of those more wise than me. Any thoughts on a retail price for this puppy? Is that engraver a respected, known entity?

The item is a consignment. The owner was left these firearms by a father in law who passed. The owner doesn't have a whole lot of interest in firearms, and is looking to turn them into a check. My goal is to move them (relatively) quickly without getting hosed.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

My first thought
Sell them here Please
Quick Fair and most I have dealt
with very Honest

mscook

Hard to tell from these photos, are you sure those grips are not Ivory?

Four months ago I purchased a factory engraved 649 that is unfired since leaving the factory.

Look at this thread for some pics:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...new-649-a.html

For me, my top dollar offer on that model 60 based on what we know would be $1,500. I would start at $1,200

If those grips are ivory instead of bone (hard to tell from the photo) it would raise the value considerably.

Ha! Colt SAA types faster than I do!!! I had the same thought!!!

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Not a clue as to price, but damn that's good lookin. Agree with mscook. Please give us a shot at those and post them for sale here first.

Couple of questions: a. Can you give us a serial number? That is an early Chiefs Special, probably late 50s, if the flyer came with the gun, it is numbered; model 36. Which would indicate after 1957. And it has the later model flat latch. You could X out the last couple of numbers, if you like. And b. Does the box have a label with the serial number, and does it match the revolver?

To a collector, some of these things may or may not matter, since the engraving is not factory applied, it may have limited appeal to the collector. But... If those are ivory grips, as colt saa says, it will impact the value.

Also agree with other posters, that you will probably do well to offer it for sale here on the forum.

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Thank you for the replies.

Truthfully I have no idea if the grips are ivory. I need someone more knowledgeable than me to determine that. They sure look it but I personally can't say for sure.

I'm at home now, I'll post some updated info tomorrow, including S/N when it is in my hands.

Once I have some more info I'll let the forum know how I intend to try to sell it, whether that be local, forum, GB, etc..

Thanks again for the replies.

I say with 98% certainty (can't be 100% certain from photo only) that the grips ARE Ivory.

What are the other S&Ws in the lot? The gentleman obviously took good care of his guns.

I'd say that the grips are ivory.
Perhaps I showing my personal taste,but i think that the gold limits the number of buyers.
I think that an online auction is the way to establish fair value.

I agree, I've been told that the gold will shrink the market by some margin. Not for everyone.

Serial # is 139831. The box does not have a serial number on it.

I'll continue my research. Again, thank you for the replies.

Yes, several S&W's were in the collection. I purchased two, a 29-2 with a 6" barrel, and a 629-4 with a 3" barrel. I think most of the S&W's in the collection are all sold now...

I also picked up a Colt Model 1911 made in 1965. The collection has some stunning high end, heavy barreled target rifles, which I don't know much about.

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OGCA Member.

I've had this gun in my hand, I think the grips are Ivory....

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OGCA Member.

According to the Standard Catalog of S&W, that revolver was manufactured between 1957 (S/N 125000) and 1962 (S/N 295000). A Letter from Roy Jinks will pin down the manufacturing date and who it was sold to originally. It's an inexpensive piece of history that can only add to the value.

I live around the corner from Velocity off Maxtown Road and Sunbury. I'd love to come by and take a look at that gorgeous Bar-B-Q gun.

The serial number puts it in about 1958. It has nice engraving work but as others have stated it has a limited market, as there are relatively few collectors of (non-factory) engraved and plated guns. Hard to estimate a value for those reasons - much more than a stock NIB gun of the era but less than a factory class A engraved gun.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Please stop by. I'm here until 2pm today

Other Smiths in the collection:

19-2 4" Stainless

629-5 2.75" Stainless

17-3 8" blued, target hammer, trigger, grips. No box or papers but this one is beautiful. Hard not to take it home myself...

Model 41 w/ case and papers, 2 mags. 90% condition, few small scratches in the bluing on left side of slide

1911SC .45

I wish I had photos to post right now but I'm swimming in paperwork for the other 35.

Thank you all for the replies!

Hey guys,

This firearm is going to go on auction on gunbroker later tonight.

Here is a link to the (not yet active) auction. Starts 8pm EST.

Please check it out, bid if you like, tell some friends, anything would help!

Bidding will start at $0.01, Buy it now is $1500. There is a reserve, but it is set significantly lower than the Buy it now price.

Thanks for the input and help along the way!