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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 01-31-2012, 11:40 PM
68inSS 68inSS is offline
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Default Three fully engraved S&W revolvers

Hi, all.
I've been scanning this forum for a few days and I'm amazed at the wealth of knowledge here.
I've been doing some research on 3 revolvers that I've inherited but I've hit a dead end. I've come here in hopes that I can get more information.

I'd like to know approximate values of the following three pieces and what year they were manufactured. I'll include pics, too.

The first is a Model 17-4 in 22LR with a 6" barrel. Serial is 31k59xx.

The second is a model 28-3 Highway Patrolmen with a 4" barrel. Serial is AHZ29xx.

The third is a model 60 (no dashes) with a 2" barrel. I think this one is stainless steel. Serial is R3056xx.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I've no clue if these are collectable, wall hangers, or just nice shooters. I do know these are no doorstops because of the engravings.

All of them seem to have had the same engraver doing the work. One of them has a name under the grip "Frank J Privara". Another has the initials FJP under its grip. The last has no markings.

I hope the pics aren't overly large but here they are.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg M17-4a.jpg (39.8 KB, 868 views)
File Type: jpg M17-4b.jpg (32.6 KB, 733 views)
File Type: jpg hpa.jpg (38.9 KB, 837 views)
File Type: jpg hpb.jpg (71.0 KB, 805 views)
File Type: jpg Model60.jpg (42.2 KB, 937 views)
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  #2  
Old 02-01-2012, 05:15 AM
Tyrod Tyrod is offline
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That's quite a loaded question, as it were. And no easy answer. I'm no apraisal expert by any means. But generally, here's how the values stack up. First evaluate the guns value without the engraving. Most engraved guns don't get shot much and most of the time a person can assume the guns functionallity is top notch. So evaluate the basic gun at the top end of the scale. After that, you get on Mr. Toads wild ride. Evaluating engraving is dependant on who did the engraving. Generally, factory engraving without major flaws will bring a premium over someone else's engraving unless that someone else is a world renowned engraver. Then the style of engraving may come into play. A gun engraved in the American Style on an American gun will usually bring a premium over an European Style engraving on an American gun in the United States.

Of course, if you can't say this gun was engraved by so and so in 1969 or was factory engraved in 1969 then value should go down. The reality is that there aren't that many engraved guns out there for sale at any given moment and the owners appear to value them more than the buyers. A professional evaluation would very likely tell you who engraved them, but it would possibly cost one of the guns for the price of the evaluation.

Personally, I appreciate the beauty of an engraved gun, but I never would buy one because I'd be afraid to shoot it and possibly devalue it. Right now, in particular, I see the engraved gun market as being soft. If someone had a relatively new gun fully engraved at the factory right now, I believe they'd be hard pressed to get their money out of it in a quick turn over.

BTW, you have some nice ones. I believe they are done in the American Style and could very possibly be factory engraved. I still don't want to buy one.

I'll let other folks that are better at it respond about the dates of manufacture.
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Old 02-01-2012, 07:13 AM
Camster Camster is offline
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Welcome. In the order that you presented,the guns date to 1977,1985,and 1982.
Personally,I wouldn't assign much more value to them over non-embellished guns,as that is aftermarket engraving of a fairly low quality.Forgive my frankness,I would prefer a plain model,unless the work is of a much higher skill level.

Last edited by Camster; 02-01-2012 at 07:18 AM.
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Old 02-01-2012, 10:33 AM
68inSS 68inSS is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camster View Post
Welcome. In the order that you presented,the guns date to 1977,1985,and 1982.
Personally,I wouldn't assign much more value to them over non-embellished guns,as that is aftermarket engraving of a fairly low quality.Forgive my frankness,I would prefer a plain model,unless the work is of a much higher skill level.
the frankness is much appreciated. That is what I expect out of a respected forum like this. So I'm grateful!
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Old 02-01-2012, 10:38 AM
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ps:You have a nice cross section of Smiths there.Three different frame sizes,three different barrel lengths,and all three are popular models with this forum.
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Old 02-01-2012, 01:58 PM
1 old 0311 1 old 0311 is offline
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Yesterday I was offered a 2 1/2" 66-1 100% engraved with custom presentation case BUT no letter. He wants $1500. Without a letter I passed.
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Old 02-01-2012, 02:12 PM
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I'm no expert so the only comment I can make is:"nice!" I'd be proud to carry a model 60 that looked that good.
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Old 02-01-2012, 02:16 PM
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Welcome to the Forum
While they are nice looking, and I do like engraved guns, I would stake my reputation (not much to lose there) that the engraving is not factory. Actually since the style looks the same on all 3, I would hazard a guess they were someones engraving projects.
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Old 02-01-2012, 05:41 PM
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Yesterday I was offered a 2 1/2" 66-1 100% engraved with custom presentation case BUT no letter. He wants $1500. Without a letter I passed.
I know many insist on factory done guns,but for me,the letter would be of little importance,if the gun was done by someone truly talented.Easy enough to tell a standard factory engraved gun from others...usually.
I buy the art,not the paper.
For example,if I had to choose between a 66 that was done by someone just making a wage for the factory,or one that Wayne D'Angelo put his heart into as a commisioned piece,and both were priced the same,it wouldn't be a contest at all.
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Old 02-01-2012, 05:56 PM
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Quote:
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I know many insist on factory done guns,but for me,the letter would be of little importance,if the gun was done by someone truly talented.Easy enough to tell a standard factory engraved gun from others...usually.
I buy the art,not the paper.
For example,if I had to choose between a 66 that was done by someone just making a wage for the factory,or one that Wayne D'Angelo put his heart into as a commisioned piece,and both were priced the same,it wouldn't be a contest at all.


It is a very nice piece, and priced at $1500 FIRM. I have dealt with the seller on a few occasions and he is a stand up guy with a very established reputation in the Indy area. If you are interested let me know and I will get you two together.
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Old 02-01-2012, 06:25 PM
68inSS 68inSS is offline
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Thanks for all your input. It's greatly appreciated.
Now knowing that the engravings don't really add up to much, what could I expect the blue book values to be if these were plain-jane models?
Thanks in advance!
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Old 02-01-2012, 07:08 PM
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Quote:
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It is a very nice piece, and priced at $1500 FIRM. I have dealt with the seller on a few occasions and he is a stand up guy with a very established reputation in the Indy area. If you are interested let me know and I will get you two together.
Thank you very much-I appreciate the offer.
At this point of my collectng,I'm sticking with the standard guns,indulging myself just adding custom grips.Having some ability to judge engraving,seeing the masterpieces that Doc44 has,I'm too much of a nitpicker to accept lesser talent.
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Old 02-01-2012, 09:58 PM
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I, personally, think the engraving is first class. What I see is some don't like this style, but I think it is the best of American interpretation.
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Old 02-02-2012, 06:58 AM
Camster Camster is offline
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I, personally, think the engraving is first class. What I see is some don't like this style, but I think it is the best of American interpretation.
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I didn't say that I didn't like the style-I said that I didn't like the execution.
I direct you to the center of the fourth photo.A flat area,which should be the easiest area to do.It speaks for itself.Suffice to say that this is not the work of a master-I venture to say that my untrained hands could lay down more artistry,and artistry is what creates the demand and appropriate price.The rest of the gun speaks awkwardness with the tools, no flow.A difference between fine engraving and scratching/carving.
I was hoping that the more advanced collectors here would render an opinion,however I can appreciate the fact that they would not want to discourage a new member.
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Old 10-13-2017, 09:30 PM
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I would be interested in purchasing these, or any other Frank J Privara engraved pieces. He was my uncle. As mentioned above, by no means a master engraver... but it was his passion and I so enjoyed watching him at his craft. My mother sold all his pieces before I was old enough to own one in my own right and I regret not having a piece of his work...
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Old 10-14-2017, 07:25 AM
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I would be interested in purchasing these, or any other Frank J Privara engraved pieces. He was my uncle. As mentioned above, by no means a master engraver... but it was his passion and I so enjoyed watching him at his craft. My mother sold all his pieces before I was old enough to own one in my own right and I regret not having a piece of his work...
Please note - this thread is over 5 years old!

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Old 10-14-2017, 07:54 AM
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I would be interested in purchasing these, or any other Frank J Privara engraved pieces. He was my uncle. As mentioned above, by no means a master engraver... but it was his passion and I so enjoyed watching him at his craft. My mother sold all his pieces before I was old enough to own one in my own right and I regret not having a piece of his work...
Though this is a thread from the dead it is close to Halloween so send the guy a private message you never know.....stranger things have happened.
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Old 11-04-2017, 03:18 PM
I_Jedi I_Jedi is offline
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I do realize it is a dead thread, but original poster could have been notified of updates... and yes I did PM him as well. Luck has not been with me.
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