One of our Bullseye guys has an unfired, NIB S&W Model 52-2 with three mags, all the paperwork, bushing wrench, and box. The pistol is still wrapped in the original wax paper. He picked it up about 9 years ago and it has been in his gun safe ever since. No photos, but the pistol is pristine.

Any idea on price?

1200. - 1400 as described. Mags are worth 100.00.

The pistol you described is worth at least $1500.00 in my opinion, the mags are worth $150-$175.00 ea. If steel follower, I have sold the plastic followers on auction that went north of $135.00. They will never make them again, and will follow some of the Colt magazines, and the S&W 22 short mag's in price.
If this is a 3 letter prefix gun, the finish is not that great on them, and the stamping, was never stoned over and left raised.
Some of them have a plum colored slide as they changed there bluing process, so the last of the 52-2s looked 2 tone.
If it's an earlier A series, under A200000, I would value it more, as they had a nicer finish. The 2 piece blue box with cardboard insert, gave way first to the foam rubber insert, and then the one piece box. This is why I prefer the earlier guns. I have still seen all of these variations hit the $2000.00 mark.
If only I could be so lucky when I sell mine.
They are worth buying, someday they will command an even higher price.

Sold one on GB 2 years ago with an Armorer's Kit and a complete 9mm top end for $2,700+. Wish I had it today!! They are wonderful.

Haha, in three posts you have been given three totally different ranges of money. None of these are bad estimates.

The last one with "9mm top end and $2,700+" is neat... and wholly irrelevant. A 9mm top end on a 52 is some inside guy's side project and practically a "one off" and can't realistically be valued as too few exist... and it's not any manner of a gauge for the pistol in question.

The first estimate for $1200-$1400 is what I would expect it to actually sell at at a gun show, if the seller wanted to move the pistol.

The very best way to get TOP money for a S&W Model 52 is Gunbroker. And that's where the detailed second post comes in with good info, but also be forewarned -- a Gunbroker auction can have many things going for it or going against it which will have huge effect on the price outcome.

To realize absolute top dollar on Gunbroker, it is most likely to happen when the seller has a high rating and has established a reputation for high grade guns. Fugate, Woodlawn Boys, other long-established dealers that piece out known collections get that kind of money. The average 15-feedback rated seller is only lucky to realize the kind of ending prices that fill out the far end of the "value" scale.

If you or another guy is looking to purchase from a friend and you want a genuine "market" value to put down where you can then open up discussion... I say that $1250 is the low end and $1500 is the high end but SN range, condition of box, etc etc... these things absolutely do matter.

Sorry for the long reply, but this is a fantastic pistol and I have paid very close attention to the market for these for more than a year. I love 'em very much.

Thanks for the replies. I will check with him and get the serial number range and let you know that.

I've got one that is in great condition; sent it back to Smith for a trigger rework (many years ago, I think early 90s; after the LA Olympics) as it needed to make a suitable international CF pistol weight. Military team sent me to try out for Pan Am games, came in about mid-pack, not quite good enough. 32 S&W long was the winning cartridge, forget which Euro pistol, know who won it though. That's a serial number A 700000+. Great pistol to shoot; has never misfired. Can make a shooter look really good or really bad. Need to follow through with this pistol as all of you already know.

The serial number is A106xxx.

That serial number makes it very early production for a 52-2 and all else being equal (rarely, haha) that makes it one of the very most desirable Model 52's of all.

Minty, with original box and goodies? That is a fantastic find and a collector who doesn't shoot his guns would pay top dollar for it.

Ship date 1968-70 range but Jinks/S&W for your ship date.

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TOMBECK

I had an early pistol in that range, had an original bill of sale from 1972.
But that does not mean it was shipped in that year, who know's how long it sat on the shelf.
IF you have the chance to pick up this Pistol, you should by all means do so.
I would the find a cheap shooter to shoot, as I would not spoil that pistols condition. I have collected these over a 15 year period, and this was after buying a shooter, that was satin nickel plated, it's my favorite center fire target gun. No sense in shooting any of the others I have purchased over the years. But not everybody buy's so many of each.