Hi guys! Not sure if this is the right sub forum this gun belongs in, but I'll start it here. One of my good friends bought this gun brand new a while back. It's still in the card board box he brought it home in and it's never been fired. He doesn't know when he bought it, nor does he remember how much he paid for it. I can't find anything on it online about when they were made or how many or what it might be worth. He's considering selling it, but we have no idea where to start.

Any information you guys could give would be most appreciative. Thanks!

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I checked the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson and it doesn't list anything for a Phoenix PD version. Nice looking gun. I'd be curious to know what the first three letters of the serial number are to determine the approx. date of manufacture.
Welcome to the forum.
Oh, and if its a no-dash (marked as a 586 as opposed to 586-1) I'd be interested if he wants to sell.

Serial is AEL86xx...

The model is 586 only, no dashes...

Let me know if you find anything out about where this came from?

cptdco, you have first shot if we can agree on a price. But first, I'd really like to know more about this gun. Let me know if there is any other information you need.

It's a nice looking gun for sure. Don't know the history of it but I'd guess it was made around 1981, due to the anniversary date. I've seen some for other agencies and they usually are made in the anniversary year. Does the box have a plaque or badge on the top lid?

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

The box is just a wooden box with blue inside form fitted to the gun, just like the other anniversary guns boxes that I've seen around the net. It just seems odd that no one knows about this 586 being built for the Phoenix PD. I can't find another one or even a mention of one on the net anywhere. What do you think it's worth?

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson I mentioned earlier is the book that many of us use as a reference for information about various models and variations. For the 586, for instance, it describes the history of the model, its physical characteristics, options such as barrel length or finish, engineering changes (dash numbers), and a list of "variations". Some examples listed are "Nebraska State patrol 50th Anniversary (364 manufactured), or Missouri Department of Conservation (250 manufactured). You get the idea. But the list is by no means complete, and guns like yours (not listed) show up not infrequently. As for more information, you can submit a request to S&W and for a fee (I think its $50 these days) and they'll tell you at least who it shipped to, and if the special lettering was done at the factory as part of a special order or if it was done elsewhere. Otherwise, if you've done a google search, you might hope to get lucky and find someone on a forum such as this who might have some insight. As to value, I'll let someone else field that question.

Here's one someone submitted to an on-line appraiser.
Antique Appraisals and Online Valuations Ranging From Furniture to Car Appraisals

Go into gunbroker.com and search: 586 "Texas Lawman" for another one that's not listed in the catalog. Very similar.

Wow... that valued at 600-675 in 2004... the description says its 1 in 88 but the appraiser says he can't verify that?

So what would the value be today? I guess a better question would be how much are everyone willing to spend to own one?

Seppeku; these commemoratives are usually made in small numbers and built at the request of a group of officers or one of their organizations. They're usually unknown to anyone outside the organization, unless it's a famous agency like the Tx Rangers or FBI, etc. It would probably be worth more to an Officer with that agency or someone who collects LE commemorative guns. I read the appraisal linked by cptdco, and that's probably the best general estimate of value. If I was a member of PPD I'd be really interested, and therefore would place a higher value on it. It is a really nice early 586, with some nice gold work on it.

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

How many of those Texas lawman exist? If the Phoenix one is more rare, isn't it worth more?

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the info!

"I guess a better question would be how much are everyone willing to spend to own one?" Well, that IS the question. I wouldn't put too much stock in what an on-line appraiser (who may or may not know anything about guns in general of S&W commemeratives in particular) thinks it should be insured for. You might look into what other similar commemeratives (like the one I found on GB) have actually sold for, not waht they have been listed for.

I'll definitley keep an eye on the one you found on GB... you don't want to pm me an offer?

S&W 586 357 LIMITED EDITION SMITH WESSON MAGNUM 4" : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

I found this one too, in case you're interested... I'll be watching both of these and see if they sell and for how much. That should give me a good idea on where to start on this one.

I appreciate the help guys!

I think that Tennessee State Parks gun has been on GB for a while. Maybe a long time. I think some dealers put them up and then continue to renew the ads when the time runs out. If you do a search for "commemorative model" or something similar in this forum, you can find past discussions on the subject and the prevailing opinion is that unless you have a personal connection to the agency or event, the gun isn't worth more then a non-commemerative of similar condition. As an example, I have an accumulation of no-dash L frames like the 586.
One of the early configurations was a 6" barrel, patridge sight, and S&W logo roll marked on the right hand side. If I had a choice between that less common but standard model, or a commemerative like the ones we're talking about, I'd go with the former.

Thanks CPTDCO! I have a pretty good idea of the range on what my friend would take to let this one go, and if you're still interested in it, you can PM me and I'll take it to him and see what he says...

I think I'll try to find a local Phoenix Police forum as well and see if anyone on there is interested in it.

Here is Washington State I see the Washington State patrol Anniversary 28-2's in a similar wooden presentation box (they also toss in a WSP Belt buckle). They usually bring $1000.-$1200. but have seen them priced as high as $1500.

With those the ordering WSP Trooper got his badge number as the last digits of the revolvers serial number.

Wonder if they did the same on your Phoenix 586.?

Would agree these S&Ws would sell best in the area of the department they commerate.

Have recently been offered a New Hampshire State police 586 50th Anniversary for $850. It sounds like a good deal. But not sure if I am up for another safe queen.

Hey guys, I need to resurrect an old thread about this gun. My buddy was cleaning out his safe and found the original box along with this letter that explains a little more about the gun.

This is 1 of only 88 Blue ones made. That's probably why no one has ever seen or heard of it.

Just thought I'd post up these pics and see if anyone is interested in purchasing it still?

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These guns were bought from a distributer and sent to an outside vendor to get the stamping done. They will not be listed by S&W as a commemorative because S&W had nothing to do with them, (short of selling them to a distributer). The last one I know of being sold (a moth or so ago) sold for $500 (686 version). This is not what you wanted to hear but, any one wanting to make an offer to buy it should be 'armed' with all the facts.

Thanks azmick! All that makes perfect sense!

let me know if you are still interested in selling it