What is this gun worth oh I hope I didn't pay too much-thread.

[Allen-frame]

I bought this gun ;

And , remember ; close up shots in harsh light actually make the gun look
worse than it does in person.






























Now here I am purposely showing close ups of the worst parts.

The cylinder flute and spot on the frame .........



























So here is a 22/32 Heavy Frame target serial # 4239** which places it
in and about 1925.

Aside from the fact that light bluing loss and slight pitting on one cylinder
flute it is a sight to behold.
Truly 90 to 95% of the bluing is perfect.
It has little signs of use. The grips do not have a mark on them.

So this little shooter begs the question ;
How much does the bit of bluing loss and the pits on the cylinder
flute hurt the value?

If you wanted to own one of these guns but did not want a $1500.
safe queen you would look for one with some muzzle and high edge wear
and settle for that.

But here now we have one that would otherwise be in high condition
with the exception of a few boogers.


Added here;( so I will not hesitate to shoot and enjoy this little one.)

So, my question is the everlasting, bug me to death, end all-be all,
I absolutely gotta know if I paid too much, question.

How much is it worth to you??

I will tell you what I paid after a bit of discussion. O.K.??

Thanks !?

Allen Frame

[mbliss57]

Very nice 22/32. I can only tell you what you probably already know. The SWSC lists Good at $275 and Fine at $550 so somewhere in between...
Of course the SWSC is 6 years old now so I think their price lists are off by as much as 20%. Just a guess.

[jproffitt]

It doesn't look too bad. Blue Book for 2011 lists from $325 for80% to $600 for 98%.

[Engine49guy]

Hey Nice 22/32 Allen !
Did you find that in Ft Lauderdale?

The 22/32 is not in my realm of expertise but I can see its one of the later cataloged guns,

I see it has no grip medallions but the grips are real sharp,
The small left trademark and the later style elevation screw in the rear site base suggest a later version ...

Are the cylinders recessed?
My price guess was going to be around $600

[Vulcan Bob]

Well seeing as how I am cheap, if I seen that one for $475.00 to $500.00 it would have a new home with me.

[LEO918]

Looked at a similar gun today. It was priced at $675.

[Marshal tom]

My guess would be $550 ish.

[CAJUNLAWYER]

what happened to your bird finger????

[smitholdtimer]

Hello Allen, I saw one on display yesterday at a gun show in only fair condition overpriced at $850.00, I passed, yours is nice and it is a shame that there are those places of pitting and blue loss. They are likely caused by improper storage since the stocks show so little use. I like it and would be a very proud owner if I had found it! Enjoy!!!

[Mickey D]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

what happened to your bird finger????

Booger rot?

One never pays too much for a S&W or Colt. Just too early sometimes.

[fat tom]

I have a dealer/friend who travels our gunshow circuit that has one in somewhat better condition (none of those boogers,but a little muzzle wear) that I've been considering buying. He's had it at the last two shows I've been to and IF he has it at the next one April 14&15,I may just pull the trigger. He doesn't want any trades,just $800 cash (sticker price is $875).
f.t.

[Willeys]

The value of any thing depends on what you paid for it. Since you intend to use it rather than sell it for a profit, the price is right for you. For those who want to sell it for a profit in the near future, it might be on the high side. But in the future, who knows. I bought my first S&W for a premium price (a Mod 29 in the mid-70). Last year, after years of enjoying its use, I sold it for more then I paid. So, for now, enjoy the 22/32 and don't worry about the price until you want to sell it.

[cussedemgun]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

what happened to your bird finger????

He was picken' his nose & someone bumped his elbow

[Dosgatos]

I've been looking for one of those, and see lots overpriced on Gunbroker. I'd pay around $600 for one in yoru condition. So what did you pay?

[beagleye]

$450 plus or minus $150.

Now what did you pay?

[Green Frog]

Based on what I've gotten and what I've paid in the last year for the two HFTs I've gotten (one with Bekearts, one with RP grips) I'm going to say less than $500 would be steal, and if I wanted to buy that gun today, I would expect to have to see it offered at a show for $750 or so, and would not be surprised to have a dealer ask more. I personally would try to stay in it at say, $575 or so, preferably a little less on a good day. The problem with pricing them is that pretty much all of the I-frames are undergoing massive price shifts based on their newfound popularity.

Froggie

[Allen-frame]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

what happened to your bird finger????

Caj ,, how you doin??

Cut my middle finger off in a lawnmower when I was a kid.
I'll NEvEr do THAT again!!

Been sleeping today after working the night shift last night.
Wondered how this discussion was going.

Okay so I paid $800. for this gun. And this was to my friend I work
for at the pawn shop in Hollywood.

But mind you , just as important ,sometimes, I have gotten a few
smokin deals in the past few months.
Like a new Governator for $440. and a 25-7 for $450.

So ,, in this particular situation paying a bit too much was just
evening things up just a bit.

Oh ,, and I also bought the nickel model 17 from the man I met IN the
shop.
So that deal could not be duplicated in a lifetime.

And no Mickey ,, I do not have booger-rot on my middle finger.
I use my pinky to booger mine. I am ,after all, sophisticated.

Go ahead, keep it up. Yew guyses is killin me, jes killin' me.

Allen the Frame

[pharmer]

Almost 90 years old, nice original (?) grips, original finish except from improper storage, in one position, for many years, .22 cal., and over 90% condition? I figure $800. Joe

[pharmer]

Snip, just a minute late again with my irrelevant guess. Joe

[Allen-frame]

Originally Posted by pharmer

Snip, just a minute late again with my irrelevant guess. Joe

Joe that's opinion.

I don't think your opinion is irrelevant. You count in my book brother.

Allen

[fat tom]

Once again,I'm surprised at the responses by those who would expect to pay $450,$500 or so for one of those guns. That's NUTS! Wish one of them would find me a couple like yours for that.
f.t.

[bigmoose]

Originally Posted by Allen-frame

So ,, in this particular situation paying a bit too much was just
evening things up just a bit.


Allen the Frame

This is a good way of looking at things. An established rapport with your local gun guy usually pays dividends. I have met with success practicing this method. Best wishes.

[old bear]

Mr. Frame, in my limited experience I’ve never seen a set of grips like yours before, are these early target style grips? No matter what they are they look great on your new revolver.

[H Richard]

For everyone that said under $600 I ask, have you actually had the chance to buy one for that within the last 6 months? I'd have been in the market for up to $700+ in that condition.

[pharmer]

Originally Posted by Allen-frame

Joe that's opinion.

I don't think your opinion is irrelevant. You count in my book brother.

Allen

Well then, that is one sweet and unusual piece even the "advanced" collector would be proud to own. Joe

[fat tom]

Originally Posted by old bear

Mr. Frame, in my limited experience I’ve never seen a set of grips like yours before, are these early target style grips? No matter what they are they look great on your new revolver.

Take a look at this thread. It may shed some light.

.22/.32 Hand Ejector (Heavy Frame Target, "Bekeart" type) Pictures

f.t.

[jhvaughan2]

A member here just won one in an auction in your s/n range. Not as nice of yours, but he feels he got a real good deal

[fat tom]

I'll say!
f.t.

[Green Frog]

I just scratched the same itch for a good shooter grade 22/32, but went at it in a different way. I found a nice but well used HFT cheap because of a bulged barrel. Then I bought a NOS barrel from one of the parts vendors and had a gunsmith install the barrel and tune everything up. A friend did all the legwork to hand carry the gun to the smith and will return it tomorrow evening. The finish is a little more worn and it has the RP grips of the day (which I actually prefer to my Bekearts.)

The cost... $200 for the gun, $135 for the barrel and $120 for the 'smithing. I've got a good shooter with replaced barrel and a fair amount of honest wear for $455 and two Mexican dinners ("carrying charge!" )

Did I do OK? I think so as I plan to get at least that much enjoyment out of shooting it.

The Happy Frog

[Vulcan Bob]

Originally Posted by H Richard

For everyone that said under $600 I ask, have you actually had the chance to buy one for that within the last 6 months? I'd have been in the market for up to $700+ in that condition.

Nope, never even seen one for sale! ( I dont buy at gunshows or the internet) However please note that I did say I was cheap!

[Engine49guy]

Allen
There is a few $100 difference between what I would "Want" to buy a gun for and what I would want for it if it was mine to sell.
Then again I love my guns almost as much as I love my dogs....almost.

I think you did fine even at $800.

[Fishslayer]

Originally Posted by H Richard

For everyone that said under $600 I ask, have you actually had the chance to buy one for that within the last 6 months? I'd have been in the market for up to $700+ in that condition.

In my area (San Diego) a gun shop I frequent would most likely have put a jewel like that in the "collector" case. They have some beautiful guns in there that I don't even ask about. Way out of my league $$$ wise...

We "buy to soon" just about anything old & S&W here... when we see them.

[kennyb]

beautiful...i think you did fine !