4" 1950 Military 44 Special: What's it worth?

[whelenshooter]

A couple of years ago I stumbled into a VERY nice four inch S&W 1950 Military .44 Special (SN: S 142xxx) in about 99% plus condition, with the original box. It has the original Magna grips numbered to the gun. There aren't even the outlines of cartridge heads on the recoil shield, so it hasn't been shot much. I put a couple of cylinders full of ammo through it, but everyone gave me hell for doing it, so I quit shooting it. I cleaned it, and it has sat in my safe ever since.

I'm the kind of guy who believes in owning collectable shooters. This gun belongs to a real collector who is looking for a gun this nice. I have two problems:
#1: I'm a pack rat, and I'm having one heck of a hard time talking myself into selling this gun.
#2: I have no idea how much to ask for this gun, if I can get myself to let go of it.

Below are some photos. (I'm not really good at taking photos, and these don't really do it justice.)

Should I really sell this, and if I decide to, how much should I ask for it?

It is hard to see in the last photo, but the serial number is written in grease pencil on the back of the box. The white tag covers the last three digits.

 

[4864]

I say keep it and enjoy it. If you only shoot it once to twice a year that won't hurt it.

 

[bk43]

This one is a bit newer than yours but ANIB. It shipped in May of 1955 and S143825, close to yours, also shipped in May of 1955. I carry it on the books at $4,700. Don't know if it's worth that but that would be the minimum for me to even listen to a prospective buyer.

It's one of many that I don't shoot. When they get to around $1,000 I start thinking about shooting it and at around $2,000 they definitely go in the safe, never see the range again. This one is way north of that, obviously. Maybe some day I'll get to the point that I can blow thousands of dollars worth of condition down the range but that day ain't here yet.

Bob

 

[Art Doc]

That gun is worth $80.

Says so right on the box.

 

[JSR III]

$80 is way too cheap with the box and tools. I'd be willing to go at least $125 shipped.

 

[M29since14]

That gun is worth $80.
Says so right on the box.

I agree, but I am sure the owner has other ideas.

Back to the OP and topic, it sounds like you would have more fun converting the 1950 into money and using that to fund your primary interests.

I have similar feelings about weapons I don't think I should shoot. They are delightful, but for me, eventually become a burden. I rarely find anything special, but when I do find something nice that is worth preserving, I turn it over to someone who really wants it and use the funds for "shooting irons."

Having said all that, I do enjoy the fact that there are collectors out there who do hang on to these nice examples and keep them tidy, for display. It's a treat to see them, and of course the sharing of knowledge associated with the guns is wonderful, too. It's just that my "shooting" interests have always overpowered the others.

Good luck with finding a proper home for your gun, should you decide to do it.

 

[charlies]

I have one of those in excellent condition purchased in 1962 from Van Wagons (?) pawnshop in Provo Utah . Paid 75.00 ....but no box etc. Maybe someone knows where I, could buy one. Serial # is S1430XX.
Charlie

 

[Pontiaker]

Wow my thoughts exactly.I didnt know there were that many others who had the same ideas about collecting/shooting as I did:~)

For the OP, if your not in a big hurry to sell it you might think of listing it with one of the large reputable auction houses. I think you would get fair market value without having to deal with the unsavory type you run into selling it yourself. If It was mine the first thing I would probably do is list it on Gunbroker with a high reserve and see what happens. You might get surprised, find the right collector and strike a deal. Good luck with whatever way you decide to go, thats a great gun for sure!
Matt

I agree, but I am sure the owner has other ideas.

Back to the OP and topic, it sounds like you would have more fun converting the 1950 into money and using that to fund your primary interests.

I have similar feelings about weapons I don't think I should shoot. They are delightful, but for me, eventually become a burden. I rarely find anything special, but when I do find something nice that is worth preserving, I turn it over to someone who really wants it and use the funds for "shooting irons."

Having said all that, I do enjoy the fact that there are collectors out there who do hang on to these nice examples and keep them tidy, for display. It's a treat to see them, and of course the sharing of knowledge associated with the guns is wonderful, too. It's just that my "shooting" interests have always overpowered the others.

Good luck with finding a proper home for your gun, should you decide to do it.

 

[jimmyj]

Keep it and shoot it. That what is was designed and manufactured for.
If you don't,the next owner will!

 

[Dave T]

Keep it and shoot it. That what is was designed and manufactured for.
If you don't,the next owner will!

Ditto!!

Dave

 

[Lee Barner]

keep it, shoot it, clean it, repeat every six months. i've had a 1956 production pre 24 for 23 years. i have shot over 2,000 rds thru it and with the exception of the recoil shield, it looks as it did when i got it. lee

 

[bettis1]

Whelen,

I agree with you that if you are primarily a "shooter-collector" you will be best served by selling that highly desirable gun and invest the proceeds in an area more to your liking.

As to value, I can only tell you that in 2005 I bought a similar condition 1950 Military .44 at the Tulsa gun show that was priced at $3500. That was probably quite high for the gun at that time but they are so rarely encountered I swallowed hard and made the transaction which involved some trades (a Model 19 and a Model 12) along with some cash. As I mentioned the gun was pristine, however, it did not have the box and accessories that yours has. Just this last year I found and added the correct box and that set me back $400. So if the original seller's value was correct, my package is now approaching $4K without any allowance for inflation. I can tell you that I would not sell it for that because I don't think I could replace it for any less.

I'd like to say a few things about what I call the "Ain't gonna own no gun I cain't shoot" philosophy. I can understand that feeling and will admit to having been in that camp before. (In fact I still spend as much time as I can at the range and just began a break-in of a very tight new M1911 last weekend.)

I think it isn't uncommon for gun collectors to evolve a little away from a strict adherence to that philosophy over time. That evolution may have several contributing factors; age and deteriorating eyesight and steadiness, access to adequate range facilities, and possibility increasing ability to afford more valuable "collectible" guns.

It is an unarguable fact that as we move further and further away from the production life of a gun, it makes more and more sense to protect that gun...particularly those guns which have survived in near new condition. A half century ago it was easy and common to purchase percussion Colts and early cartridge Smiths and Winchesters and shoot them on a daily basis. Over time, the cost and fragility of the old timers has made that action foolhardy. Now there are plenty of reproductions, new productions, or lesser condition older guns to satisfy our smell of gun smoke.

Although it is unlikely that you will seriously damage your 1950 Military by occasional shooting, the likelyhood that you will "ding" it certainly exists (and who among us hasn't done that!). It is certainly possible that an unintended action can diminish the value of that piece by $1000 or more. Only you can determine if you want to take that chance.

Bob

 

[jeremyws1]

I value my 99% 5" Pre-21 without goodies at $3500. All things considered, I'd value your package just shy of $4000.

 

[M29since14]

That evolution may have several contributing factors; age and deteriorating eyesight and steadiness, access to adequate range facilities, and possibility increasing ability to afford more valuable "collectible" guns.

He did have to mention that "deteriorating eyesight" thing...

 

[ken158]

So the difference in shooting it and not shooting it is a couple car payments of value? Let's say you never shoot a safe queen, keep it for 50 years and pass on. Some relative comes along and shoots it silly, enjoying it immensely or just puts it on gunbroker for a couple hundred bucks. Kinda like never getting grease on your Craftsman tools...

 

[2152hq]

If you intend to put in the safe and use it as an investment in a strict sense and watch it's value rise and cash it in one day to benefit from that,,then preserve every last bit of it's current originality.
As said, even a tiny loss of finish,,edge wear, the smallest of scratches, will diminish value very quickly. The value difference between a high 90s% gun and mid 90s% gun can be tremendous.

The particular model is rare enough in itself, especially complete with it's box, etc. But the extra high condition is what puts it in a catagory that buyers want badly and will pay for.

Shooting it won't 'hurt' it, but the extra handling it gets and the possibility of additional wear and marks are just money off the value,,possibly alot of money.

Yes, someone else may take it out and shoot it. But they will have to pay dearly for the chance with a rare revolver in the present condition.

You could take it out and shoot it too,,then they most probably wouldn't have to pay you as much for it.

If you just want a shooter grade,,sell this one to a salivating collector and buy one and shoot it. Pocket the profit and buy a couple of other nice guns with it.

 

[whelenshooter]

Thank you everyone, including those of you who sent me personal messages! I think I'm going to put this for sale in the Classified area for $3,600, or $3,500 and a sponsorship to the Smith & Wesson Collector's Association (I don't personally know anyone who belongs). If someone wants to make me an offer before I get it to the Classified area and save me the work, send me a personal message.

I really think this guns belongs to someone who enjoys owning it without shooting it, or doesn't mind putting wear on such a pristine gun. The thought of drastically reducing its value by using it gives me the vapors!

I retired about a year ago, and my wife and I just bought 40 acres back in Idaho. (For those of you interested, the first things being built are the 300 yard rifle range and a short, 25 yard handgun range. I grew up being able to shoot right out my front door for the first 18 years of my life, and I'm bound and determined to have that again for the last however many years of my life.) I'm having nightmares about dinging the gun in the move and drastically reducing its value. We have no kids to give the gun to, so I might as well pass it to someone who will appreciate it and get some money for ammo in the process.

Thank you all again!

 

[Rugskipper]

Here I am debating which organ to sell so's I buy that thing, and you're all discussing the merits of shooting it. Shot or not, that is one of the rarest, coolest Smiths in the coolest barrel length on the planet, and to have the privilege of taking it out of MY safe to just stare at it would be worth a kidney, at least.

 

[whelenshooter]

Here I am debating which organ to sell so's I buy that thing, and you're all discussing the merits of shooting it. Shot or not, that is one of the rarest, coolest Smiths in the coolest barrel length on the planet, and to have the privilege of taking it out of MY safe to just stare at it would be worth a kidney, at least.

I'd prefer your liver, but will take a kidney and a left elbow in trade. I shattered my left elbow 30 years ago in a Forest Service trail bike accident, so I could use a new one. (Grin!)

 

[Tom K]

Well, that didn’t take long. I see that you put the gun up for sale, and an hour and a half later had an “I’ll take it!” One of those “salivating collectors” mentioned above, I guess.