S&W Model 1 Third Issue Value

njo · Oct 12, 2015

Serial number 50693 (for what that's worth)

I know the condition isn't good but it functions flawlessly. It does have the rare 2.5" barrel. I'm just wondering a price range I can sell it for.

If you need and more pics/info Ill do the best I can. Thanks

glowe · Oct 12, 2015

I can't help you with value, but I can say that I rarely see a short barrel Model 1, 3rd. There are only 2 short barrels listed in the SWCA database and one with serial number 50650 was listed as a 2.625" barrel. I assume that your gun and that one was part of a batch order by a distributor. It is often found that unusual barrel length S&Ws were ordered in batches by distributors like MW Robinson or Schuyler, Hartley and Graham.

njo · Oct 12, 2015

glowe said:
I can't help you with value, but I can say that I rarely see a short barrel Model 1, 3rd. There are only 2 short barrels listed in the SWCA database and one with serial number 50650 was listed as a 2.625" barrel. I assume that your gun and that one was part of a batch order by a distributor. It is often found that unusual barrel length S&Ws were ordered in batches by distributors like MW Robinson or Schuyler, Hartley and Graham.

Thanks for the reply. The barrel on mine is in fact 2 5/8". On my research I just found ones listed with a 2 1/2" barrel so I just assumed i was being too accurate with my measurement. But that is very interesting info. Thanks

mmaher94087 · Oct 13, 2015

I'm sure the factory wasn't concerned with the "exact" dimension of the barrel. They weren't using CNC machines. My barrel length is 2 11/16".

njo · Oct 15, 2015

Would you guys have any guess to what I could sell it for?

glowe · Oct 16, 2015

I have never seen one for sale, but Supica/Nahas Standard Catalog of S&W3 states the short barrel version is worth twice what a standard barrel Model 1, 3rd. I would call your revolver in Very Good condition and if standard, could be worth $300, but that is best guess. Check Gunbroker for actual sales of standard Model 1, 3rd and if you can match your gun's condition to a recent sale, double it and you might be close.

Problem is that there are not many collectors out there, so demand is not great and selling price may vary quite a bit. If you want to sell it, put it up and see what people are willing to pay.

njo · Oct 16, 2015

glowe said:
I have never seen one for sale, but Supica/Nahas Standard Catalog of S&W3 states the short barrel version is worth twice what a standard barrel Model 1, 3rd. I would call your revolver in Very Good condition and if standard, could be worth $300, but that is best guess. Check Gunbroker for actual sales of standard Model 1, 3rd and if you can match your gun's condition to a recent sale, double it and you might be close.

Problem is that there are not many collectors out there, so demand is not great and selling price may vary quite a bit. If you want to sell it, put it up and see what people are willing to pay.

Ok thank-you. I may do that or keep it.

mmaher94087 · Oct 16, 2015

The revolver appears to be re-nickeled at some point and that affects the collector value also.

Stopsign32v · Oct 16, 2015

mmaher94087 said:
The revolver appears to be re-nickeled at some point and that affects the collector value also.

Could I ask how you came to that conclusion? I'm trying to learn how to spot this very thing while searching antiques.

mmaher94087 · Oct 16, 2015

It's tough to tell from a few photos. The overall condition appears to be peeling or flaking and the peeled areas, to my eyes, reveals a second, plated, undercoating that appears to be nickel also. The hammers and triggers were "normally" case colored/case hardened and not nickel. Lastly, the hammer stud on the right side of the frame just aft of the recoil shield looks flattened from buffing and not domed as it was from the factory. The plating looks 'filled in' around the stud and frame.

My comment was only directed at determining value; what I'm seeing on my screen may not be anywhere near reality. I have been wrong many times. You have a scarce variation of the S&W 1st Model, 3rd Issue revolver. I'd love to see it in person as nickel is hard to photograph.

njo · Oct 18, 2015

glowe said:
I have never seen one for sale, but Supica/Nahas Standard Catalog of S&W3 states the short barrel version is worth twice what a standard barrel Model 1, 3rd. I would call your revolver in Very Good condition and if standard, could be worth $300, but that is best guess. Check Gunbroker for actual sales of standard Model 1, 3rd and if you can match your gun's condition to a recent sale, double it and you might be close.

Problem is that there are not many collectors out there, so demand is not great and selling price may vary quite a bit. If you want to sell it, put it up and see what people are willing to pay.

I appreciate all this great info. I'll go ahead and list it here and see what happens.

S&W Model 1 Third Issue Value

njo

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glowe

US Veteran

njo

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mmaher94087

SWCA Member

njo

Member

glowe

US Veteran

njo

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mmaher94087

SWCA Member

Stopsign32v

Member

mmaher94087

SWCA Member

njo

Member

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