M&P Snub - age? Worth?

[BC38]

I'm thinking this one is probably post WWII, though obviously pre model numbers. Does that seem about right?

Mechanicals seem good. Solid lockup and little endshake (a tiny bit of wiggle on both). Good bore and chambers.

What would you guys say is a fair price for this one? I have my thoughts about the asking price but want to see what more knowledgeable collectors say before I tell.

 

[DWalt]

S963156 (also a 2" snubby M&P) shipped in 12/47. That one is somewhat rough around the edges, I'd say that at retail, maybe $350-$400 tops as it falls into the well-used "shooter" category and it would draw no collector attention. Personally, I probably would be interested if it were no more than $250. Were it in somewhat better condition, $500-$600 easy, as those are fairly desirable M&Ps. Most would call it a "post-war M&P" as it has the old long action design.

 

[BC38]

S963156 (also a 2" snubby M&P) shipped in 12/47. That one is somewhat rough around the edges, I'd say that at retail, maybe $400 tops as it falls into the "shooter" category. Were it in somewhat better condition, $500-$600 easy, as those are fairly desirable M&Ps. Most would call it a "post-war M&P" as it has the old long action design.

OK, so I got it right on the approximate age range, even without my book handy. Excellent.

I agree that it is pretty rough - lots of "patina" and not much original finish left - maybe 40%-50%? I couldn't confirm that the wood numbers to the gun, but it is kinda rough as well. Though oddly enough it is the left side that has the most damage (bottom edge badly chipped off) - but that is the non numbered side, right? If so a swap for a better condition left grip should be pretty easily achieved and the right one would still number to the gun (assuming it does).

 

[DWalt]

Not sure why you would want to go to the expense of getting better condition grips. Sort of like putting lipstick on a pig.

 

[gmborkovic]

From the looks of that old girl, she has served her duty. What is the price?

 

[Bosquebass]

That's a poor man's Kit Gun right there. For the right price that old girl would be riding in my bass boat on a full time basis.

 

[BC38]

Not sure why you would want to go to the expense of getting better condition grips. Sort of like putting lipstick on a pig.

I never said I'd buy grips. I've got some spares lying around and I'm thinking I could improve its appearance a bit if I swap a little better condition left one for the one that's on it - since it has its whole bottom edge below the checkering broken and chipped off.

And while it is certainly finish challenged, I wouldn't exactly call it a pig - but opinions differ...

 

[BC38]

From the looks of that old girl, she has served her duty. What is the price?

I'm actually soliciting a few opinions on that before revealing the asking price (which I actually think is set fairly high, but probably negotiable).

 

[BC38]

That's a poor man's Kit Gun right there. For the right price that old girl would be riding in my bass boat on a full time basis.

What would that "right price" be in your opinion?

I'm trying not to bias people's opinions by revealing the seller's asking price until after a few have thrown out a figure.

 

[H Richard]

Based on what I can see, and expecting the mechanics to be good, I'd be interested at $250 - $350. It's a good one for any knock around activity, where you wouldn't be concerned about getting mark on it. It has no collector interest at all.

 

[Bosquebass]

What would that "right price" be in your opinion?

I'm trying not to bias people's opinions by revealing the seller's asking price until after a few have thrown out a figure.

I can say that in the last 2 years I have bought a 10-5 and a 10-7 both with 2 inch barrels in much better cosmetic condition than yours and both were in the 350 dollar range.

Since it seems the snub you are looking at has no collector value I would be interested in it at about $275 give or take strictly as a shooter and because I don't have an early post war snub in any condition.

 

[The_Truth]

I couldn't put a number on it, really, but it would have to be CHEAP in that condition and with a chewed up grip for me to be interested. CHEAP meaning "I don't want to buy it but I can't NOT buy it at that price."

 

[JP@AK]

BC38

I've identified two large runs of 2" square butt M&Ps that were shipping in December, 1947 and January, 1948. One run is in the S962xxx - S963xxx range, and the other in the S964xxx - S966xxx range. There is a block of serial numbers in between that were mostly 5" guns.

Without regard to serial number order, guns from both those ranges were shipping in either December or January. The one you are looking at could be from either month (or neither, actually).

This gun is a bit rough, but the stocks are probably original; at the least they are the right style for the 1946-1953 period.

Being in possession of a significant collection of S prefix M&Ps I can tell you the value of this one is fairly low. Because it is a 2" example, I might go as high as $275 for it, but I'd probably pass. I certainly would not go higher.

Here's a pic of a 2" square butt example from my collection. This is the condition we look for. One like this will go for more than double what I've suggested for yours.

I hope this helps.

 

[Xfuzz]

In that condition 2 & 1/2 Bens...tops.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Seriously, it is sad to see beautiful guns in that sort of condition. I would be asking where the heck that thing was and who abused it like that. It would be a $150 gun to me based on condition but I would probably just pass on it. i am sorry but I prefer condition. Not knowing what the asking price is, I suspect that you could find one that is a lot nicer for not a whole lot more.

 

[Old_Cop]

As stated earlier, $350 to $400 in my neck of the woods from a gun shop.

 

[Bajadoc]

If it worked properly, I would like it for a toss about gun. I would pay $200 tops.

 

[BC38]

Well, I figured it was overpriced, but not by 1.5x-2x its actual value.
The pawn shop has a price of $449 on it. I've made several purchases from them for 10%-20% below what they put on the tag. But that only takes it down to the $375-$400 range. Still about $100 too high IMO.
I was thinking it would be worth $300-$325 tops based on my local market and how infrequently they turn up around here. Not very likely that I would succeed in talking them down that far, unless it has (or does) sat there for a long time. I was just thinking it would make a nice companion to the 4" I have that's approximately the same age but in quite a bit better shape.

 

[Waveski]

I'm a bit late to this party , but ---

There is wear and then there is wear. That one does not exhibit "honest wear" , it looks like it has seen rough handling and abuse. Grips don't get dinged up that severely from long careful use. The case hardening coloration is dull and faded. I would be interested in a snub such as that if it were an opportunity to get one cheap , as in $250 or less cheap.
The 2" barrel and half moon sight are what support even that modest value ; a 4" M&P that rough would bring less. IMO , anyway.

 

[mh51]

At $449, I think the pawn shop might have to put salt and pepper on it and eat it. Patient shopping will find something a lot better for a little more
money.