My LGS has a Model 17 for sale I have been seriously considering picking up and their asking price is $1200. These are all the details I have about the gun....
1. Serial number unknown, I lost the slip of paper I wrote it on.
2. Original box with all S&W paperwork. Wasn't able to get info from label on the box.
3. Gun was purchased new with only one owner (he sold it to the LGS). Paperwork was original receipt when purchased in 1968, and a log kept by the owner every time he fired the gun. A total of 68 rounds fired thru the gun in 53 years.
4. Gun is in like new condition. No wear marks or discoloration of the blued finish, original grips have no wear, dings or scratches.
I hope to get back to the LGS soon to try to get more info, but I was wondering if their asking price seems fair based on the info I have so far. Thanks for your feedback.

My thought is that $1200 is too high but more info is really needed. Take a few pics and also pics of the box label. Check the sold section of gunbroker for real selling prices.

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S&W factory revolver armorer

Hmmm… in today’s crazy market I would venture a guess that the asking price is fair. Would I pay that? Maybe if I was in need of one. (I have a few).

I will say that packages like this (of this vintage and older) are disappearing rapidly into collections, never to be back on the open market until the collector croaks.

Buy once, cry once. Enjoy thereafter.

I was just looking at the True Gun Value website and there are several model 17-3 models listed as being sold in the $900 range. I assume it's a 17-3 since it was sold in 1968 although I've read the 17-4 came out in 1968 so I need the missing info to be sure.

If purchased new in 1968, it very likely is a Model 17-3. As described, I don't think $1200 is particularly out of line in this market.

Of course, that price does seem horrid, considering that I have a 17-3 that I bought new for $135 back in the day. Still have the box, papers and tools as well as the revolver.

If you want a very nice, excellent .22 revolver, go buy that one. I doubt you'll be sorry.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Sounds a little high to me too -
But not much!
In today’s market a Gun that good is going to bring a top price,
I would say at least $1,000.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

No. 1977. The -3 was released in 1967.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thank you Sir, I stand corrected. I misread the article I was reading.

I would be tempted at that price. Sure, I would try to work out a better price, but considering today's market for older, high-condition S&W revolvers...?

The chance to handle the revolver in-person to examine it is worth something.
Then you have the LNIB condition, original box and paperwork.

The fact it's (at a minimum) 53 years old is a good thing!

Now that I've thought about it, I think you should buy it and post some photos for us!

For reference, I recently bought a 17-1 w/box and papers for a little less than that...Given the prevailing market I don't think the price is out of line......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

I've been watching the prices on 17s the last three months, sounds high. Maybe if it's in pristine condition w/box & all the goodies. In that condition and for that price I wouldn't want to shoot it, strictly a collector. JMHO

A 17-1 is worth considerably more than a 17-3 or 17-4 in comparible condition.

If it was in My LGS You would already be too late to go back and get it.

Price for the item as a collectable is a little high for my taste, but not that high. Nice ANIB older S&W revolvers are getting scarce. If I were to buy it, it would quickly get relegated to the back of the safe not the range

The k-22 was the first thing I lusted for in my youth. I think I have a 17-3 but I don't remember what I paid for it. The most recent k-22 I bought from a coworker, he told me he had one for sale and he wanted $600. I told him I didn't really need one but I had $500 in my wallet and would he take that. He accepted and brought it in from his car. It was a high condition 1955 vintage k-22 in the original box. I was a little embarrassed because I felt cheap and I knew that I had taken advantage of him. I did find other things to ease my guilt, ammo etc. but I still feel bad, a little.

I watched a few on GB recently that had box and papers in very nice condition that went between $900. and $1,000. By the time the people that bought them had them shipped and did the transfer they had $950 to 1K in them for sure. $1,200. seems a little high to me but if like new someone will pay that for it.

How bad do you want it?

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'Merica!

Tell him to throw in 6 rounds of .22.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I have a 17 no dash in excellent condition that I would not sell for the 1200 mentioned.

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Paul
Salome, AZ

Regardless of whether or not you can dicker on this, if it's what you want and you can afford it, buy it. If as described, guns like this will be harder to find down the road. If you pay a little more than others say they would, that's okay. You'll have a fine revolver to shoot and enjoy.

If you want a really pretty shooter shooter, it is about $300 high.
If you want the goodies that come with this gun, it is still $150-$200 high.
There is a very nice 1947 5-screw here locally, I was just offered for $900.
(No box or papers)

Best,
Gary

Seems high to me , but if you like it I’d say buy it
Eventually prices will get where 1200 is a steal for a shooter grade and there will be even fewer pristine examples like this 17-3

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the rules? there are no rules

In December of 2019 I paid what I thought was quite a bit too much for a 17-1 with all the goodies. I bit the bullet because it shipped a month before I was born. Fast forward to today and I see the same package selling for 20% more than I paid. Buy once, cry once.

Sadly, the price does not seem out of line for a mint in box Model 17 nowadays.

While it is a little high according to old Stat's (not really that long ago) if a few hundred bucks won't crimp your lifestyle and you can be assured it is in as perfect shape as you perceive it to be, then go for it. If you spent less money for a gun in less perfect condition, then had to get a box, paperwork and cleaning kit - more than likely you would be pretty close to your one stop shop.

See if you can talk the LGS down a little or see of he is willing to throw in a brick or two of ammo, a good cleaning kit, or something to make it easier for you to pull the wallet out.

In the past during my major buying spree years, I have "over-paid" (according to some of the "experts") on several guns I had a burning desire for. After searching high and low for many many years for the gun I wanted in the condition I wanted it in, I was happy to pay a few bucks more to fulfill my wants.

After owning these particular guns for many years now, they are worth 3 - 4 times more than I paid for them - so in the long run it didn't really matter. I can not guarantee that same trend will continue, however from what I can see the trend of escalating prices for pristine vintage guns is not going to end anytime soon. Just my opinion of course......

NOTE: A reasonable premium is what I am talking about here - NOT a complete shellacking!