Anyone see this on GA? Nice looking Mag, but it that a realistic price? It is on GA and listed under Smith & Wesson 357 Registered Magnum. I don't think we can post a link to a live auction, so to stay within the rules, you'll have to look for it. Thanks for your input.

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Go big or stay home

Actually, the price is not too far off. Any Alvin White engraved revolver, especially a Registered Magnum or early 44 Magnum will command a price close to this. Hope Bill sees this and comments. If anyone would know the true value of an Alvin White S&W he's the man.
Chuck

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SWCA1517 SWHF256
Rangers LTW!

It seems high.

I've seen a non-engraved RM with rare barrel length in mint condition with certificate, etc. go for about the same price. I don't know about Alvin White guns but it may not be out of line.

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Dick

It helps to know That Alvin White engraved the gun. THe post didn't make sense until I sw that...

If ever a gun should cost that much, it should be that one. That's like a rare piece of art.

This is a beautiful piece, but that cylinder turning plum colored wrecks it for me. Also, the concave-knuckled grips are more appropriate for an earlier pistol such as a TL, but a set of appropriate grips could be had. Here is a picture.

Attached Images

pop_wm_3830995.jpg (58.0 KB, 521 views)

Thanks tftech1 for posting the pic. I personally like a little plum color, but not sure how it affects the value.

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Go big or stay home

Psychedelic Art maybe.

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You're shy a few manners.

In March 2007 it sold for $10,250. Here is a link to the auction photos and the auction results:

Photos:

James D. Julia Images

Results:

Firearms - March 2007 Selected Highlights

I also thought that I saw it sell at a recent auction for something significantly less than what is is listed for on GA (that GA listing has been on there for several years). I just found the auction... it was the March 2011 Amoskeag Auction which says that it sold for $6,612.50 - here is the link:

http://amoskeag-auction.com/82/35.html

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I've handled the gun.
The pics do not do it justice. As I recall, the plum color does not appear to the eye. The camera/lighting created that effect.
White was an artist.
It is not my favorite style, but it IS absolutely stunning. The gold fox and rabbit below a platinum moon....
I spent many minutes perusing it with a 5X magnifier. It actually takes the magnification to see all detail.

Is it worth it?
To each his own.
I don't recall the price when I handled it. Above 10 or 12 grand. If I'd had the money, I'd have bought it.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Well, it sounds like it is not too far out of the realm of possibility for a serious collector. I'm sure it would go up in value in time as most things of this type do. I was pretty shocked initially, but my fortune is another mans' pocket change..........................

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Go big or stay home

Personally, i'd just as soon have a mint "unengraved" RM if i had
my druthers. I hope what Lee said about the cylinder is still correct to this day. Be a shame if the plum coloring in the picture was real. Makes it look like a reblue to me when i see that on a gun.
Something about an unmolested RM that just says "Business".



chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Where's the Lottery when you need it?

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

This ".357" came out of the Gary Garbrecht collection in 2005. It was later offered for sale in Tulsa and did not sell there. The engraving and inlays are well done and Alvin White was one of the best American engravers. The price is in the ballpark to the right buyer.

Bill

I am confused. RKmesa's research shows this gun sold one year ago for Less than $7000. How is $16,000 a reasonable price?

This is one of the things that really annoys me about gunsamerica.com you can't tell how old any page is. If this ad is actually several years old, it is possible that gun has changed hands multiple times since that ad was posted.

So what is the real value of that gun? $6600 or $16,000?

I hope someone here was lucky enough to buy it for the $6600.

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Dave

There are pluses and minuses working here. A minus is the gun is a reblue, as it had to be refinished after White engraved it, and I suspect that the technique used to reblue it is causing the purple effect on the cylinder. A plus is that the work is definitely the high quality of Alvin White's shop, and carries his personal stamp. A lover of artistry in metal will be a player for this gun, a serious Registered Magnum collector will pass, as they did at the Gary Garbrecht estate auction. Ed.

Given its recent sales history alone, regardless of its artistic merit, I believe it is far too high an asking price unless there is an eager buyer with more cash than sense.

I may never have a Registered Magnum (did see one with bulged barrel at the last gun show though) but I do own a set of grips that look identical to those. Came on a converted .455 (to .45 Colt) Triple Lock I bought many, many years ago. Probably for less than the grips alone are worth now.

Alvin White was a truly artistic engraver. I fondly remember the S&W 44 Magnum which was pictured on the front cover of the American Rifleman many years ago.
Guns inthat price range require an afficionado who cherishes the art. Usually one finds that those individuals are few and far between and thus the checkered auction history - perhaps some buy backs?

The gun was sold or removed when I looked 3 days ago.