S&W 1955 .38 Chiefs Value & Mdl 37 1978 Value

Kurly · Jul 19, 2011

Hoping the collective can help me out with some questions regarding some pistols I was given.

Called Smith & Wesson to get the mfg date so I believe these to be accurate:

1955 Chiefs Special .38 special. Excellent condition with only minor blemish and original manual & box. Wanted to get a value on it before putting it up on the gun boards for auction.

Here's some photos:

I also have a 1978 Model 37 .38 special Airweight that's 99% condition. Would like to know if anyone could suggest a fair value on this gun too.

celticfisherman · Jul 21, 2011

If you had the box and paperwork for the 37 I've seen them lately as high as $650-$700 and a little more.

Without it maybe $450 is the most I'd ever give for one and it would have to be sharp and older than the 70's.

I've been doing a lot of 37 research lately since I just laid my hands on one so that's just my $0.02 worth.

Kurly · Jul 25, 2011

Thank you for your response. I've checked out some of the gunboards and feel that a fair price for the .38 Chiefs Special with box to be about $600-$650. Looking to post it on gunbroker within the next couple of days!

fat tom · Jul 25, 2011

Good luck! It's a nice example,for sure.
f.t.

bigun · Jul 25, 2011

How much would a 100% 2" 1954 vintage pre-model 37 be worth with the original box too? This one has the steel cylinder.

Engine49guy · Jul 25, 2011

When pricing a J frame 38 ,
I generally value 5 screw guns over 4 screws and 4 screws over 3.
Round butts over square, short barrels over long with 3" being the exception.

Also value pinned over unpinned barrels and non IL over IL newer ones (unless they are Scandium or Magnums).

I usually see nice clean used round butt 37's in the low to mid $400's on a pretty regular basis .

While shops will test the waters pricing a LNIB 37 near $600 they seem to begin moving the more the price goes towards that $400 mark.
Anything under $350 gets ALOT of attention and interest.
Anything decent below $299.99 will sell Real quick.

Saw a lnib unpinned mid 80's 37 sitting unsold in a local pawn shop for quite a while for $450 .
Also have seen a few clean 37 square butts unsold at $450.

I have one with some carry wear and value it closer to $300.

Some food for thought:
The new 37 seems to be on sale close to $400.
the average (non collector enthusiast) person looking for a carry gun would prefer a new gun over a used one.
New models come with the lifetime warranty and I have seen quite a few posts of 37's with cracked frames.

VM · Jul 27, 2011

bigun said:
How much would a 100% 2" 1954 vintage pre-model 37 be worth with the original box too? This one has the steel cylinder.

bigun - nice flatlatch airweight!
IMO, you could easily sell your revolver for $600. In an auction with a couple of bidders, it would bring more.

S&W 1955 .38 Chiefs Value & Mdl 37 1978 Value

Kurly

celticfisherman

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Kurly

fat tom

Absent Comrade

bigun

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Engine49guy

Member

VM

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