I will tell you by current experience that these old top-breaks are going the wrong way in terms of sold dollars. I have sold 7 so far and have 5 more up for sale and am somewhat disappointed in their performance. Most are selling for what I bought them for a very long time ago. Most to date were typical condition for their age, but all functioned and shot. When you get down to less than 70% original finish, a 38 DA will be lucky to get $200. Tip-up and top-break S&Ws are certainly not collected for profit down the road, but I am happy someone else can admire them.
I cannot tell you how many friends and others have told stories about this or that obtained from a father or great-grandfather and saying how very sorry they sold whatever it might be that was given to them. Family heirlooms, whether guns or something else should be passed down instead of getting a few dollars to waste. If sons or daughters don't want such things, you may have brothers, sisters, or nieces and nephews who do. I did this a few times when giving heirlooms to nieces and nephews - they were thrilled!