I was at a recent gun show and saw several model 14s. Most were in the 85% or better condition and prices ranged from $400 to $500 except for one that had a $1000 price tag on it. It was in almost perfect condition but, after seeing the price tag I did not ask them to remove it from the display case, lol.

The dealer that was asking $1000 had many nice S&Ws and Colt Pythons, all within plexiglass display cases.

What is it that I don't know? Is there such a thing as a model 14 that is worth $1000? I have seen others in the same condition for $400 to $500 at several other shows.

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" I don't recall, senator."

I was at a recent gun show and saw several model 14s. Most were in the 85% or better condition and prices ranged from $400 to $500 except for one that had a $1000 price tag on it. It was in almost perfect condition but, after seeing the price tag I did not ask them to remove it from the display case, lol.

The dealer that was asking $1000 had many nice S&Ws and Colt Pythons, all within plexiglass display cases.

What is it that I don't know? Is there such a thing as a model 14 that is worth $1000? I have seen others in the same condition for $400 to $500 at several other shows.

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" I don't recall, senator."

It was probably the one used by Brutus to assassinate Julius Caesar.

It'd have to be an awfully nice one in an uncommon revision or perhaps a rare factory attributed barrel length to bring that sort of money.

The dealers prices are way pout of line all the way around. I say that because at the last gun show I went to I could have bought a 99% Model 14-2 with 8 3/8 barrel for $500. In the past three months I have bought a 99% pre Model 14 5 screw with 6 inch barrel and diamond target grips in excellent shape plus a set of S&W combat grips in excellent shape for $630. I also bought a mint 14-4 with 8 3/8 barrel in the box with paper work for $495.

This guy is an over priced crook trying to capitalize on the current gun buying surge and people that don't know the values of the guns they are looking for.

Pre 14 with combat grips and an extra set of diamond targets

14-4 with after market grips on (factory are in safe)

Dealer prices, especially today, are sometmes way out of line with the market, broadly speaking.

That said, the 14 with the 5-inch barrel is a variation that can command a substantial premium from a collector.

Art:
Congratulations on your fine, recent acquisitions. Those are nice looking guns and nicer photography.
Regarding the 'overpriced crook', don't you think that is a bit harsh? The OP described a gun with a high price tag on it. I see them every time I go to a show but don't consider them crooks if no unfounded claims are made. Folks who are in the market for a particular gun need to do their homework and educate themselves, just as Beau.. did and is continuing to do. And,as Bellevance stated, there are configurations which would command higher than normal pricing.
Ed

Perhaps crook is a bit harsh but certainly they are they are trying to exploit the current gun surge situation. Bellevance also didn't state in his original post that it was a 5 inch rare version of the 14 so I responded as if it was a regular garden varity of that model.

In the end it's all up to the buyer to know what he's buying and what it's worth which requires a bit of home work. If you run into something that you are not sure of then you need to make an educated guess, pass on the deal, or try to get the info you need to make the decision. I've gone to a different dealers table and asked if they had a blue book and could I look at it. In 9 out of 10 cases they had said yea. I usually carry a current blue in the car when I'm at shows and will go out to the car and check on the gun and then go back in.

I have a short list of guns I'm looking for and have a price based on the condition I want and what I'm willing to pay with info gathered from gunbroker, this forum, and the blue book.

I agree that some of these prices are exorbitant unless the gun has some highly unusual provenance.

At the same time I can't blame the sellers for asking whatever they can get so long as they are not misrepresenting what they are selling.

Just like anything else, it is up to the buyer to educate themselves before they purchase. That is what makes this forum such a great resource.

A nice 5-Screw K-38, S/N K237909, recently sold on Gunbroker for $1,850 (124285066). It had nice diamond magna stocks, target trigger, and target hammer, and was shipped in 1954. Seems a little early for the target hammer, and really high for a K-38 IMHO.

Sounds like he doesn't really want to sell it. Maybe another one of those deals where his wife made him promise he would sell a few so he takes them to the show, doubles the price and then comes home and tells his wife no one was interested.

I watched that one, also. It amazed me. I have seen Model 14s I would gladly pay $1000 for. However, not for something standard. Last one I paid a grand for was a mint Dayton in full target configuration with W/O and RR. Thought I got a great deal on it, seeing it had a factory letter to confirm everything!
I would dare to say a mint ISP five incher would bring close to two grand.

Hey MeAmMe, a nice ol' box makes 'em worth more, don't it?

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SWCA #2420

Yes, and there are some other interesting M14's that will command higher than normal prices, another example would be the Roper guns.

On average, IMO the standard old K38 Masterpiece from the late 40's through the late 50's is about the most under valued models of S&W's made. These are fantastic guns that truly live up to the name "Masterpiece".

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.............SmithNut

I still cannot get over that Pre Model 14 K-38 engraved in nickel with the cougar. That, in my humble opinion, is the greatest Model or Pre Model 14 I have ever seen pictures of. Someone showed pics of it here and I still think about it often. What a gun!!!!!!!
A mint Model 14-1 in box would bring a grand more than likely, or close to it. The new classic Model 14-8 in nickel would most likely go retail close to a grand. I will not argue there were a lot of 14s made over the years, but those guns are definitely undervalued and I am glad!

I know guys who go to gun shows with a gun or two that they really don't want to sell. The guns they want to sell they have reasonable prices on, but the guns they don't want to sell they put outrageous prices on. They figure if some guy actually pays that high price, they can stand the loss because they got a lot of money out of it.

I know a gunsmith (who also did engraving) who built a really nice Ruger #1 for his own use. He really needed to have an example of his work on his table at the gun show, but didn't want to part with the gun, so he put a $10,000 price tag on it figuring nobody would pay it. Unfortunately for him a guy walked by who liked cutom Ruger #1 rifles, and he didn't even hesitate on the price. The gunsmith had mixed feeling on the sale. He didn't want to part with the rifle, but if someone wants to pay that kind of money, he figured it was his gain.

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SWCA 2379