Do special edition/commemerative editions revolvers with stamping/etching on the frame and barrel add or detract from the guns value? Such as police department, government agencies etc.
Good question. I think it depends how many were made (rarity) and how attractive they are. I remember a few years back Beretta was issuing "specials" on the 92FS (military version M9) with some minor change to "commemorate" something or other every few months which looked like a scam to sell overpriced guns to me. It was right after the Iraq war started and they were trying to cash in on the patriotic surge.
If the special editions are really special (and rare) I think they are worth more as long as they are unfired or near perfect condition.
I'm sure there are collectors out there that specialize in these guns and certainly model, rarity, and looks has to play a big part in the equation. The key is that if you buy any they most remain mint and unfired with the original packaging and all documents to be worth a high resale price.
My Dad bought a Winceshter Model 94 collectors edition in the 60's and threw away the box , paper work and shot it. I got it when he died and sold it for $250 at a gun store instead of the amount new and unfired ones went for which was closer to$750.
It depends. Guns with law enforcement use, sometimes; the more prominent the agency, the more collectible (think FBI, although not usually stamped). Less common guns that were issued (SF and SAPD model 58s) are probably worth a little more than equally worn non-PD guns. Agree with Art on commemoratives, that gets into a smaller niche with somewhat less demand, especially if not NIB.
I think they make so many different commemorative that it makes it hard for me to pay more for one than the other. Like mentioned above, they have to be nib or lnib and I shoot all the guns I own so they are not for me. I would only buy them if someone else has shot them already and it does not have the box and you are getting a gun with a little better finish for the same price as the standard model.
Special edition revolvers
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