I am considering the sale of my S&W Md.37-2. I have never sold a gun, but I know this is a "collector's item." These details I received from a knowledgable gun dealer: Never been fired; original box; Black-T finish - completely rust-proof. This is the only model that S&W put the finish on a small frame gun and was only done on special-run pieces. Only 1200 of these pieces ever made, so they are very scarce and highly sought after by collectors. NIB condition. It has an aluminum alloy frame, forged hammer and trigger (not MIM-metal injection molding, which is not as strong as forged steel); double-action-only special trigger factory job; laser-etched markings (not roll-marked or stamped); considered by enthusiasts to be the absolute ultimate concealed carry equipment. Would you be so kind as to advise me what I can expect to receive for the sale of this gun? Thank you.

Welcome to the forum. As to this gun, I've never heard of this model personally, can you provide some provenance on the information you've listed?
I've never heard of the factory using a Black T finish, the gun might be fairly late model, none of my reference information includes this description.
Can you provide the product code (should be on the box if)?
Any pics?
There are lots of good informed folks here, but more info would help.
Did the information on the finish and quantity come from the factory or ? Edited - I see you mention the gun dealer as providing the info. Based on this, please provide the product code and it's possible that someone here can assist

Thanks in advance, we'd love to assist on a value if we can narrow down what it is.

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

I believe your gun is S&W stock number 149968. This is a special run of 1200 of the Model 37-2 with a bobbed hammer, case hardened hammer and trigger, no trigger lock, and it is DAO.

The finish is not Black-T, it's just the standard S&W matte black and to my knowledge there was no special trigger job.

I own one of these and paid $405 for it on Gunbroker about 1 year ago. I believe that would still be a reasonable price. Although I like the gun and carry it at times, I wouldn't say it's the "be all and end all" of concealed carry weapons.

I have one that I bought about a year and a half ago.

I paid $425 shipped to my FFL. It does not have the dreaded lock.

I turned down one of these NIB at Greentops in Richmond, VA about 2 years ago at $369 + Tax. They are nice guns, and good for carry, but not the ultimate in everyone's opinion. There was one on the classifieds here within the last month or so, but can't remember the price. They are not "rare" in my opinion, since they do show up for sale on Gunbroker and this forum. Hope this helps some.

Edited to add: In retrospect, I regret not getting the 37-2 at that price.

Thanks to all of you for your helpful suggestions. Yes, the box indicates it is Product 149968; Model 37; Calib. 38; Barrel 1 7/8. I was told that the famed NYC law enforcement officer, Jim Cirillo, was instrumental in the design of this particular gun, and only 1200 were produced. I bought my gun before he died in an auto accident in 2007, which seemed to make the gun more value, maybe due to the sentimental aspect. The details I listed were what my gun dealer friend told me about the gun. I guess I'll just keep it since it's not as much a collector's item as I was given to believe. But, I won't fire it!!!Thanks again!!

There were actually a couple recent runs of this model--first in 2005, then again in 2008.

Back in '06 this gun was often discussed here on the forum, primarily because it was built with forged parts, not MIM, and without the internal lock that was standard on all other S&W revolvers at the time. 1200 was frequently mentioned as the total quantity produced in the 2005 run. They were completely sold out by August of 2006.

In 2008 S&W put out this release announcing another run of the same model:


The total number built in '08 was only about 250 units, if I recall correctly, and this time around they were very slow sellers, most likely because S&W was now offering several other J-frames without internal locks, including the very popular Models 642 and 442, as well as the Model 40.

As others have mentioned, the 37-2 didn't have any special finish or design features--it was just a standard Model 37 with a bobbed hammer and double-action-only trigger, something S&W has been known to put on many revolvers over the years. It's unlikely that Jim Cirillo had anything to do with the design or introduction of this revolver, so that tidbit, along with the supposed rustproof Black-T finish, were probably just the sort of rumor and misinformation that gets passed along all too often at local gunshops.

With that said, however, you have a fine revolver--one of the nicest J-frames built by S&W in recent years. I used to have a pair from the 2005 run, and only sold them because I prefer the Centennial design over exposed hammers, and bought New Old Stock pre-lock, pre-MIM Centennials to replace them. If I were you, I would not hesistate to shoot your Model 37--they're great shooters, with smooth actions and incredible accuracy.

I have one from the 2008 run, how could I find out for sure the total # built? thanks

As noted, these recent M442's are interesting guns, cool in that the factory released these well into the production run of the later version which had the IL (lock). Obviously these were well received and are quite desireable, especially in comparison to the lock models.
As to the rest of the info you recieved (highly collectible, rare and the other supporting adjectives), some dealers will embellish things from time to time and it reminds me of the old adage seen here from time to time - "Buy the gun, not the story".
I hope you didn't overpay for this gun based on the supporting superlatives, it's certainly a neat gun but to my knowledge there are no M37-2 variations that are in collectible status as of yet. Others can correct me if I'm wrong.

__________________
.............SmithNut

Thanks, DC7, DUNTON, and SmithNut. I'll keep a printed copy of your responses for future reference in case I ever want to sell it. I paid a great price for my gun--only about $350, which my friend bought for me on either this S&W site or Gun Brokers site. Since it's NIB, I'll probably keep it in pristine condition and leave it to one of my sons. I have a few other guns I can shoot for fun or protection. I prefer my Glock 23, as it doesn't hurt the palm of my hand like a .38. Thanks guys!!

That really is a great price! Not long after you bought yours, I advertised a used one here on the Forum for $410 delivered, and it sold in just minutes. New ones from the 2008 run cost even more, due to a significant factory price increase on that run.

So although the details about your gun may have been embellished, you still got a great deal on an excellent revolver.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but can anyone tell me a rough value on one of these now? This site is the only place I've been able to find any info on these and it's all fairly dated. It's a DAA serial number if it matters.

Picked one up recently not realizing what it was. Unfortunately no box and aftermarket grips.

On the cylinder arm opposite the frame where the model number is this has the numbers 141 on it. Would that be like a production number since these were a limited run?

guest 12....my guess is that it is an assembly number on the cylinder crane....I suspect that the values are as above... check Gunbrokers or one of the other auction sites completed auctions for values... just realize that anyone can ask any price they want to... but getting that price is something else... a lot of the stuff on those sites has been relisted for months & months or even longer....

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be safe,enjoylife,journey well

I've checked gunbroker, model 37s in general are going for a good bit more than described above, but I've yet to see one from this limited run on there. Only place I've found one sold online at all is on here and it was several years ago.

Out of curiosity I checked the 'closed auction' prices of Smith 37-2s on GB. The only ones that sold were less than 400. One with a Crimson Trace laser sold for a little over 400. There were many priced higher but closed with no bids. Hope this helps.

I see 51 results out of completed auctions. Out of that only 6 or 7 had bids and only one of those was the DAO version, the one with the laser you refer to isn't the bobbed version. I can find plenty of prices on regular model 37s, but that's not the info I'm looking for.

Out of the rest of the 51 auctions there was only one other DAO/bobbed version and it didn't get any bids.