A recent home burglary resulted in the loss of a Model 629, with a 8 3/8 inch barrel I inherited the firearm from my father who purchased it late in life. To my knowledge the gun had never been fired. The date of purchase was Jan 1992 and the serial number is AVD7265. Any guidance on the value of the gun for my insurance claim would be greatly appreciated.

I would check the "sold" prices on gun broker to be sure but I think $1,500.00 would be about right. Your insurance company will go by blue book and those prices are extremely low compared to today's market prices.

Being unfired, I'd say no less than $ 1250.00. Did you have it's box and papers?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

What state? Keep an eye out on the local boards and Armslist.

If it's not documented as being unfired/NIB, then they're going to give you, at best, the MSRP for a new 629. They're sure not going to take our word for it, especially since nobody here ever laid eyes on the thing.

As stated, Gun Broker is your best bet because it offers documented proof of what the gun is typically selling for. You can't go by current auction asking prices and will have to search on completed transactions.

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Thanks for all the advice, will follow up.

Spoonriver

Spoonriver,
Welcome to the Smith & Wesson Forum

I'm sorry for the loss of the Model 629 and the time you're having to devote to figuring out its value and dealing with insurance.

Let's look at this logically.

The prefix AVD for your serial # of AVD7265 should date this revolver to 1987 or 1988 and less likely to 1989 using information regarding serial numbers from the SCSW (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson) 4th edition, copyright 2016. This would make the revolver most likely either a model 629-1 (made up through 1987) or 629-2 (started 1988). Neither would have the more desirable pinned barrel or recessed cylinders.

The SCSW 4th edition cites values of $1000 for NIB (new in box condition) and $750 for excellent condition.

A review of Gun Broker for successfully closed auctions (i.e. the firearm actually sold) reveals the following data for the Model 629-1 or 629-2 with an 8-3/8" barrel:
$521 - for a "finish challenged" example without grips. This is an outlier in that is was atypically worn and did not have grips.

$666 - $1095 for typical excellent condition 629-1 or 629-2 examples.

Keep in mind the buyer would have to pay shipping of at least $25 and would have to pay a FFL (Federal Firearms License) holder transfer fee of typically about $25 in addition to the price of the firearm.

It would be my opinion if you wanted to replace the firearm in a timely and uncomplicated fashion you should be prepared to spend about $900 and if this gun was like new and in all its original packaging materials, i.e. like new in box, then I would suggest you'd need to be prepared to spend about $1100 and maybe more.

You can get a brand new Model 629 (6" barrel - S&W does not make an 8-3/8" barrel in this model at this time) through an online gun buying service called Grab A Gun for $805 and then add fees and you're probably getting up close to $850.

So, no matter how you slice this you're looking at roughly $900 to replace it unless you can prove it was like new in box and you demand an exact replacement and the only way you can do that is through a loooooong search or more quickly through Gun Broker (or similar service) for about $1100 (probably).

__________________
Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

I'd like to thank everyone for their thoughtful responses. I am going to go with a $900 value and take it from their.
Spoonriver

OP, I know what it's like to have a special firearm stolen from me. My grandfather's 7 shot .22lr was taken from me as well.

In regards to the insurance claim... it depends upon the homeowner insurance carrier you have. USAA or the likes and you won't/shouldn't have any problems. Allstate on the other hand... be prepared to take off the kids gloves. You'll have to treat it like you would fighting with your local county tax office against an absurd increase in your millage rate. Be prepared to give about 10 "Comparables" from recent sales on GunBroker. Either way, I hope you get that pistol back and if not, that you get what it was really worth so you can replace it and not be out of pocket.

Hi There is a site to list stolen guns on I always check it when getting a handgun it is called hotgunz. Anybody can go there and list a stolen gun or check to see if the one they want is listed there.
Regards
Islander

If you are an NRA member you get a $2500 worth of gun insurance with your membership, at no cost. I believe that you have to have activated it though. You should publish you location though, so members in that area can be on the lookout.

Good luck!

Adios,

Pizza Bob

__________________
NRA Benefactor Member

You're welcome. Good luck with getting this matter reconciled.

Please do not accept me, just some guy on the internet, as an expert nor the final arbiter on gun values or insurance matters. As seems to be the nature of other members of the Smith & Wesson Forum, I simply attempted to be helpful. The argument I laid out for arriving at a replacement cost (value) for the revolver was hopefully objective and logical.

__________________
Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Unless you have it itemized in your policy schedule, what you get and what you want may be very different numbers to the insurance company. Hopefully, you have a full replacement value rider on your policy. And yes, I am an insurance agent. Good luck.

The value of your stolen gun may be a moot point as most homeowners insurance only covers you up to a certain amount for guns. Most companies require you to purchase a rider to insure gun collections. I know that when I looked into it, the rider was very expensive and required that I list every firearm with the insurance company. I decided to invest the money in good safes instead.