This is my first post and I am glad I found this site. My dad was a faithful NRA member and smart gun collector. Sadly, we lost him in February to lung cancer and I am now the guardian for his beloved collection. After months of research and detective work, digging through years of gun forum posts and collecting his notes and papers I have come to the conclusion that he was a huge fan of S&W revolvers. While sentimental emotion drives me to "keep them forever", reality tells me dad would want them rehomed where they could be cared for and loved like he loved them.
I have jumped into the gun collecting world with both feet and have learned all I can about his collection, but this is a respectable hobby and I would be kidding myself to think I could ever become an expert, or even attempt to fire a few rounds without seriously hurting myself.
Dad's S&W's include:
Model 19-4, BT 4in barrel, SN# 61K2457, bought new in early 1970's I have some papers and the box

Model 36-1 B finish,4in barrel, SN# M47504 22/32 kit gun, bought new in early 1970's, I have some papers and the box

Model 27-2 B finish, 4in barrel, SN#N731021..? There is also another # etched under the chamber, 28376 A9.

Model 41, not a revolver but I consider it part of this family, this was one of his favorite gun's to shoot. He has a scope on it and his notes read it was made and bought in 1970.

I would be grateful for any advice or guidance when considering how to best find an interested buyer for them. Dad never got a chance to share what he would've wanted done with them but his forum entries allow me some insight. Dad believed guns were meant to be enjoyed and shot, not kept in a case and looked at. He was very fond of the #41 and shot it regularly. All of them are in remarkable shape but I am not experienced enough to claim a % of condition. I do know he would spend a couple of hours at the range and the rest of the day cleaning what he fired.
I will attempt to post pictures as soon as possible and would again welcome any thoughts. There is no rush to sell, sounds silly, but I look at dad's guns sort of like his children and want them to go to the right home. Dad had a big heart and would want them to be enjoyed for years to come.
Thank you an advance to any responders....

Most of the people here would say, learn to shoot them. There are many new shooters who don't shoot themselves.

If you don't need the money, keep them for your kids. There is nothing better than dad's gun's, except maybe grandpa's guns.

If you do decide to sell them, you might find interested buying right here in this forum.

First of all sorry for your loss.
Welcome to the forum. Glad you appreciate you Dads handguns. My first option would be to keep them for your family and enjoy them.
If not there is a classified section on this forum.
On another note this should be a wake up call for the rest of us. We should all leave a detailed inventory of our firearms. Details and values of each one and instructions on how our loved ones can sell them if they desire.

Here is a start.
The Model 19-4 was shipped in/around 1980.
The 36-1 was 1971/1972.
The 27-2 was 1980.
The Model 41 should have a serial number, perhaps beginning with a letter "A."

If you take them to any gun store, they will offer you probably less than half of what you could sell them for, as this is a business for the dealer. It's not that the dealer is a "bad guy" trying to take advantage of you, but it is a business proposition for them.

I too am sorry for your loss.

I tell you what your dad might have really loved

For you to give your location and some gentleman from the forum who lives near you to take you out and show you how to safely shot and enjoy his guns. But, that is your decision to try or not.

Part of the possible value of each gun depends on condition, such as blue worn spots, does it have original grips, box tools? Lots of old retired guys here. One of them close by might be willing and able to check guns and help establish value. From everything I have seen here the majority are honest and decent people.

A good 19-4 with very little wear. $600 upwards depending on extra stuff

A nice 27-2. $800 up depending on wear and stuff.


"Model 36-1 B finish,4in barrel, SN# M47504 22/32 kit gun, bought new in early 1970's, I have some papers and the box."

This is somehow wrong. A model 36-1 is a 5 shot 38 special with a 3" barrel, usually with a J in the serial number. A 22/32 kit gun is on a J frame but, something quite different than a 36-1

Good pictures of thee gun from various angles, and the extras would go a long ways toward establishing correct value. Once that is fairly well established you could list them here on the for sale portion. If they don't sell in say a week drop the price $50 every week until they do. You should be able to find a gun dealer in your area who would ship them for around $40 a unit.

Those 4 are just about all anyone really needs. You dad picked good ones.

If you wanted to keep one...I'd hold onto the 41...trust me, you will love shooting it as much as your dad did.

Julianne, first, I'm sorry for your loss, and just know that your Dad is smiling down at you for coming here for advice.
There are many compassionate people here that will see to it that you are looked after. I think the advice to take them shooting yourself, and keep them in the family is what most here would want for our collections. There are many that would jump at the chance to instruct you as to the finer points of our shooting sports, if you are of a mind to join the ranks of shooters.

WR

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God, Country, Family

Sorry for the loss of your father. Welcome to the Forum. As for, what were, Dad's firearms don't do anything in a hurry and don't be rushed. Take all the time you need to make an informed decision.
The only pricing comment I can make, is a high end model 19 - 4 should bring close to $700.00 in today's market.
Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

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Always Stay Strong!

There are those who in a moment sold their fathers prizes, and later had pause... then tried to bring them all home. That 41 would be a real treat for a new shooter.

The 36-1 is most likely a 34-1, but otherwise all nicely described. Good pictures will help sell the guns and get the most for them.

Charlie

Call a reputable auction house to sell them or take them to a good sized gun shop and put them on consignment. Best and easiest way to sell and they can help you with pricing. Shop will take 15 or 20% but they will do all the work.

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No life story has happy end.

My condolences to you on the passing of your father. I'd be proud if one of my kids made the effort you have done, to understand the mindset of my hobby, regardless of the outcome to the collection. Dad is most certainly smiling down at you.

If you edit your forum profile to include your location, someone may offer you some instruction so that you can safely use and maintain some memento of your dad's collection.

Julianne, don't rush to sale. Consider all options. But reading your post I suspect you have done so. There is a book "The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson" which can provide you with much information about your dad's S&W revolvers.
Should you decide to sale, this site is a good place to start, they do not have to be S&W to be listed here. There are many here that can school you on the process.
Perhaps you may want to "rehome" one yourself. If you have children perhaps they would.
I hope my kids will take as much interest in my guns as you have for your dad.

Welcome aboard from Wyoming, Julianne.

My condolences on your loss.

I believe you've given us something other than the serial number for the Chiefs Special Model 36-1. Check the bottom of the grip handle and you should find a serial number either with a "J" as the first letter or with the "J" embedded within the numbers (e.g., 96J345). In either case the "J" is part of the serial number.

If your Dad's Chiefs Special has target grips they may obscure the sn; you'll have to remove the screw from the left side and take the grips off to see the serial number. Don't pry the grips off the frame. Undo the screw, then using the screwdriver push the screw to the right and that should pop off the right grip panel. You can push the left grip panel off from the other side by using the butt of the screwdriver.

Also, the Model 36-1 only came with a 3" heavy barrel. Here's a photo of one from near your Dad's vintage. This one has a square butt. Hover on the thumbnail to see the full image.

Looking forward to your next post.

Attached Images

Mod. 36-1.jpg (92.5 KB, 54 views)

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Take great pictures and list them on this forum and we will help you establish a good price. You can then list them on the classified ads here and you will get the most money, at a consignment store you would probably get 25% less at least. Without seeing photos and condition I will price them roughly off the top of my head assuming all are 95% condition.
M19 $650
M27 $875
M36 $450
M41 $975

Thanks for the many thoughtful replies. It is tremendously comforting to get the sense I am among a group who likely share dad's values and personality traits.
I was incorrect on the kit gun, it is a 34-1 not a 36..thanks for catching that.
I am in a little town, Kingsport, TN that is in the NE part of the state bordering Virginia and near Kentucky and would love to meet local collectors as dad's S&W's are only a small part of his well cared for collection.
I have started to read the "how-to" posts on this site r/e to what you guys want to know and I will work on being more accurate.
The revolvers I listed appear to the untrained eye like new. I guess you understand when I say they could be considered works of art. No noticeable scratches or wear but I am sure tell-tale signs of use could be found since dad owned and shot them for years.
I worry that I do not know how to clean them, dad only stressed to never touch the metal due to fingerprints and I have them wrapped in the cloths like dad left them.
I have two daughters and while I know many women enjoy gun collecting, dad really saw his hobby as part of the man's world. Definitely not inclusive or politically correct today, but I know in my heart he would want them to be part a serious gun enthusiast's collection.
I would love to try to shoot them but I know dad would want them to go to someone like himself. Many of the guns he had were bought because of his love for them that developed as he grew up in Erwin Tennessee. He has posted stories about camping out in the woods as a teen and "plinking" in back yards with other boys. Most of his rifles are "rim fires", he only hunted small game, squirrels, groundhogs and did that infrequently.
I probably need another forum for his reloading hobby, I am overwhelmed with the volume of supplies in his backyard shop for the hobby he started in the '70's. I think he had the revolvers because they just look so amazing but he likely shot them more when he was younger. Dad was born in 1933 and was 84 when he passed away and in more recent posts he shared how the targets were less easy to see and larger caliber guns hurt his hand.
If there are any members in NE Tennessee, SW Virginia, around Ashville NC or even Knoxville I would love to share dad's collection with you. He has around 30 all together. A 1965 Sweet 16, various Kimbers, Sig's, Rugers, Colts, Marlins( his 39A was his favorite and he never shot, but treasured, his dad's 1956 Marlin 336C 30/30 deer rifle).
I have faith I will in time find the right homes for all of his treasures, time is on my side I guess. I would be delighted if any members are seeking a hard to find older model that he just might have.
Thank you again to everyone, I love gun collectors because there is a special something they all share in personality and outlook on life that is just plain decent and kind.

This forum has a very active reloaders section.

No, there aint nothing like Grandmas gun. Know you got something.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Julianne,

I just read through this entire thread, and then shared it with my wife.

First, we're so sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad to lung cancer back in '02, and like your's, he left me a Smith & Wesson revolver, which is probably what got me 'in the game' to collect S&W revolvers. I already had several pistols, mostly Rugers and a few Colts, and even a S&W Model 686, but when I shot my Dad's Model 15 Smith I was hooked. Now, I'm almost embarrassed to say how many Smiths I have in the safe, although here, among so many 'enablers', I'd probably be good-to-go!

Anyway, we live in Florida, but have a second home not far from you, a cabin on the Clinch River that's less than an hour from Kingsport, over towards Kyle's Ford TN. Basically, it takes me 40 minutes to get to the cabin from Food City on 58 near Gate City VA. Trish (my wife) & I will be heading up on the 29th, and will be there through the 4th or 5th of July. Please feel free to drop me a PM and I can give you Trish's number. We have plenty of property to shoot on if you want to give your Dad's Smiths a try in a safe, supervised environment. I know that Trish would probably appreciate a new 'shooting buddy' while she is up in Tennessee, right now she has to contend with a bunch of us 'old farts', although she does hold her own!
Tom

The classified section here is a good place to realize the full value of his collection if you sell. You can list firearms from any manufacturer in the "Guns - for sale or trade" section, and the reloading stuff in the "Accessories/misc - for sale or trade" section. Here, you will find in one place, the most knowledgeable S&W people in the world, and very helpful - they help me constantly.

Other firearm forums with classified areas are:
* rugerforum.com
* rugerforum.net
* coltforum.com
* doublegunshop.com (milti barreled guns - many, high end)
* forum.gunboards.com, Trader section (a lot of military & mil. surplus here)

I'm not aware of any very good Browning classified forums (someone here might know), but the Sweet 16 is very desirable to some, me included. You need to join these forums to list, but the ones I've listed are free and the people are all helpful. I'm sorry for your loss and good luck. Welcome to the forum. Maybe you'll decide to keep a couple of the Smith's at least, and stick around.

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Jeb

I sent you a Private Message with some personal advice. I am sorry for your loss.

Welcome to the FORUM! Sorry for the loss of your Father. 1 way or another, you should try to enjoy his guns.
If you would like to shoot 1 or all, you should be able to find an instructor that could help you. Check with local gun shop/ range or club. Bob