SW18-Does the story brings premium?

[1sg]

LGS has a SW Model 18, 4inch with TH and TT in matching box with papers (alas no tools). Excellent + condition and while fired appears very little; a few handling marks but no bluing loss or dings that I can see other than a very faint turn line. DOB places it circa 1980. This come from an estate with a Bill of Sale to the original owner who was a former WWII USAAF Bomber pilot with an impressive service history according to his obit. Of course I salute our veteran's service and respect his accomplishments but does it translate into increase value? He's asking $1100 in part for "the story". Thoughts?

 

[mod29]

No premium as far as I'm concerned.
Is it a dash 3, P&R?

He's asking too much. Nice guns for sure, but he's out there.
In high condition, I can maybe see 800-900 if P&R, correct box, etc.

 

[JohnRippert]

The old rule has always been, "Buy the gun, not the story." If it had belonged to someone nationally famous that might change things a bit, but as it is, no premium.

 

[1sg]

Yes, P&R. A dash4 I think...

 

[murphydog]

If the former owner's family can be contacted and the story confirmed (photos, etc. would be nice) I could see how the gun might bring top dollar from an interested collector, but even with that $1100 would be a stretch.

 

[K-22]

Great Gun

LGS has a SW Model 18, 4inch with TH and TT in matching box with papers (alas no tools). Excellent + condition and while fired appears very little; a few handling marks but no bluing loss or dings that I can see other than a very faint turn line. DOB places it circa 1980. This come from an estate with a Bill of Sale to the original owner who was a former WWII USAAF Bomber pilot with an impressive service history according to his obit. Of course I salute our veteran's service and respect his accomplishments but does it translate into increase value? He's asking $1100 in part for "the story". Thoughts?

This is a great gun, but $800 tops.
Best,
Gary

 

[S-W4EVER]

"Buy the gun, not the story." Best advice I ever got...

 

[Narragansett]

I paid 750 for a very nice 18-3 last year. no TT/TH. With guns going nuts, and if it is P&R and 98%+, and you want it, 900 tops for me.

 

[gen3guy]

If you pay $1100 for the revolver, you'll be paying about $350 for the "story". Unless the guy was Curtis LeMay, I'd move on.

 

[M29since14]

You guys are not a very charitable bunch. Yeah, I'd have to agree - no premium involved. If the old gentleman was still with us, I was buying directly from him, and maybe I felt like he needed the money, I might be inclined to give him a little extra, but at this point, it's just iron and wood. Fair market value.

 

[stansdds]

You are buying the firearm, not the story unless the firearm can be proven to have been the property of someone who is of national or international fame.

 

[Drm50]

I've bought dozens of guns from WW2 heroes, while they were still alive. It's a shame but they get no public honors unless they belong to rich and famous class. German pistol stories from winning in card game to trading a carton of smokes. Still don't add to value. I had a guy the other day trying to trade me a 1911 clone at more than NIB value because it had been gone over and "customized" by his gunsmith buddy. That story was a negative before I herd price. It just so happened it was about the same price as S&W he wanted to trade against. Got to buy me some new garments. I must look like I just got off the boat.

 

[22hipower]

I'm going to depart a bit from the opinion of most so far and say I'd be willing to pay a premium for it; maybe not $1100 but more than the equivalent gun with no story. This assuming it is clearly established that the gun belonged to the WWII pilot.

There might be a few hundred dollars worth of fun in researching the pilot's history and that of his unit and you may turn up really interesting information. Owning a firearm previously owned/used by one of our WWII
servicemen is a delight for me.

I have a Registered Magnum owned by a WWII artillery officer who had a most interesting career. I spent many hours digging up his history from when he entered WWI as a 17 year old until he was buried at Arlington after Korea having served in all three wars. I have since acquired a 2nd Model HE .455 and a 2nd Model 44 that he owned. I know where his 1911 service pistol is but am still negotiating its purchase.

Sometimes the story is worth more than the gun, to me at least.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[JohnRippert]

I'm going to depart a bit from the opinion of most so far and say I'd be willing to pay a premium for it; maybe not $1100 but more than the equivalent gun with no story. This assuming it is clearly established that the gun belonged to the WWII pilot.

There might be a few hundred dollars worth of fun in researching the pilot's history and that of his unit and you may turn up really interesting information. Owning a firearm previously owned/used by one of our WWII
servicemen is a delight for me.

I have a Registered Magnum owned by a WWII artillery officer who had a most interesting career. I spent many hours digging up his history from when he entered WWI as a 17 year old until he was buried at Arlington after Korea having served in all three wars. I have since acquired a 2nd Model HE .455 and a 2nd Model 44 that he owned. I know where his 1911 service pistol is but am still negotiating its purchase.

Sometimes the story is worth more than the gun, to me at least.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

If the firearm was from the time period of his war service I would agree with that, but a modern day Model 18? 'Fraid not.

 

[22hipower]

If the firearm was from the time period of his war service I would agree with that, but a modern day Model 18? 'Fraid not.

The issue and value isn't just the gun; sure the Model 18 is just one of many and won't shoot any different just because a WWII bomber pilot owned it. But that is just the starting place, there may be a treasure trove where the M18 came from and looking may find it. Does the family still have his flight jacket, insignias from his unit(s), other firearms? Maybe he brought home his 1911 and they've only parted with the M18 so far but it may be for sale too?

If one has no interest in that kind of search and the treasures it may surface, fine, any M18 will do, buy the least expensive one that can be found. But skipping the "story" where there is a solid lead to a good one, seems a wasted opportunity to me. Your mileage may vary.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[JohnRippert]

I am glad these types of searches bring enjoyment to you. Different strokes and such. Just not my cuppa.

 

[kscharlie]

"P&R", the P may add a bit of value. ALL Model 18s are "R". No premium for that.

 

[oysterer]

So so many flew in WWII, I know a few who flew in Vietnam and in the Gulf etc. All great friends and we are extremely grateful to their service but a premium? I can tell you my story and charge you $300 more if that's ok. I promise you'll like it...

I saw a post of Gary Cooper's registered magnum and I think a premium is warranted there.

All else your talking a $700 gun as others have said.

On top of it 22lr are not (yet) subject to the 'shark in the water' hysteria as they have no (close to non..) self defense value.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

It's at least a $900 gun with no story. A Model 18 is scarce even in normal times; this one has some premium features like the TH, TT, pinned barrel, box, etc.

 

[diyj98]

No premium on the gun, but if you can get a pair of his socks with documentation that he wore them during a combat flight........well that's a horse of another color!