would like to know the value of my gold plated Model 1903

Frank from Bozeman · Aug 16, 2013

I have a gold plated model 1903 in .32 long that has been in my family since it was new. The grips appear to be mother of pearl. When I checked the history several years back, I believe the report said the gun was factory plated and had been returned for replating in the 1950s. About 50% coverage remains.

Can someone help me put an approximate value on this revolver, and identify a good place to sell it?

Thanks.

H Richard · Aug 16, 2013

Value is ruled by condition. We would need several very clear close up photo's from all directions in order to evaluate it.

Hondo44 · Aug 16, 2013

And verification that it went back to the factory for re-finish like the date on the grip frame under the left grip panel or a star by the serial number on the butt. Are the hammer and trigger also gold plated?

The best place to sell it is right here on this forum or an on-line auction if you can't determine a value to your satisfaction. Either way, producing the "report" you reference is absolutely required to have with the gun to obtain maximum value.

mikepriwer · Aug 16, 2013

The critical thing is to have a factory letter, stating how the gun was shipped, in
terms of the finish. Presumably, there will be a stamp on the grip frame, of
something like 6.50, meaning a return to the service department in June (6) of 1950.
There might also be marks like <S>, or <G>, or a P with a circle, or perhaps some other
marks, on the grip straps, and possibly on the flat under-side of the barrel.

Mike Priwer

Frank from Bozeman · Aug 17, 2013

thanks for your help

Guys-

Thanks for your inputs. I'll dig up the factory letter (it is filed away somewhere in my papers), take some photos, and send an updated post within a few days.

In the mean time - the hammer and trigger are not plated, and I don't see a star on the bottom of the frame. Condition-wise, the screws are perfect, there is one small corrosion spot on the cylinder, there are no scratches or other damage.

Frank from Bozeman · Jan 8, 2014

factory letter for M1903 gold plated

I dug out the factory letter dated 11-18-1982 regarding my 1903 Hand ejector revolver. (It was in a box buried behind our Xmas decorations in the crawl space).
I believe the gold plating is original factory, and the gun has not been refinished. A copy of the letter is attached. Any ideas on the current value?

Thanks.

weatherby · Jan 8, 2014

Hi Sir very neat letter.
I'm sorry I can't help you with value but pictures would be a must for trying to determine that.
That is quite the heirloom being in the family for over a century

05CarbonDRZ · Jan 8, 2014

I will tell you one thing....It is worth more than $375 now.

opoefc · Jan 8, 2014

Interesting gun. The factory production records ( not shipping records, but production records) show serial number 14158 as being made on March 5, 1903, as a blue gun. Look at the serial number stamped on the bottom of the barrel to see if a very small "B" is stamped before the number. That "B" indicated the gun was originally a blue gun. If it was shipped on the date cited in the letter, Aug. 30, 1911, then it stayed in the factory inventory for 8 years before being gold plated ( plated or washed?) to fill what was probably a special order. Delays of several years between manufacture and shipping is not uncommon for some models of Smith & Wesson. Gold plating and/or gold wash finishes were not standard production guns and most of the time blued guns were taken from inventory and refinished to fill an on order for a gold finished gun. - Your letter is over 30 yrs. old and I would suggest you request a new and updated letter, as additional information could now be in the records that was not included in the original letter's search for shipping info. Ed.

Wiregrassguy · Jan 8, 2014

Do your MOP grips have a S&W medallion? Irrespective of the value of the gun, those could be just as valuable. Roy's letter does not mention the grips. Like Ed said, I would get a new letter and perhaps the grips could be validated as original factory issue.

CatSnipah · Jan 8, 2014

It's completely worthless. Not even worth the value of gold in the plating.

In fact, I know someone who can melt it down for you and get you about $50 for the gold scrap value.

Send it to me, I will front the $50 to you and take care of the rest.

LOL. Nah, man I have no idea, but it looks like you're getting some sound advice here!

mrcvs · Jan 8, 2014

05CarbonDRZ said:
I will tell you one thing....It is worth more than $375 now.

Well, I disagree here just how much this firearm is really worth. Yes, the gold plating does add value, but significant value only if a high condition firearm. This firearm is at 50%. Unfortunately, the Model 1903's just are not that valuable. I know of one for sale locally at $175 in 80% condition with NO takers. This is a $125 gun as a 50% firearm as blued; with gold plating and 50%, triple it at $375 and this would be well over full retail!!! This is not a $375 gun unless the gold plate was nearly 100%; if that were the case, it would be well over $375. The Model 1903's just don't have the collector appeal in my neck of the woods.

glowe · Jan 8, 2014

mrcvs said:
I know of one for sale locally at $175 in 80% condition with NO takers.

Go buy it and sell it on Gunbroker for a $75 to $100 profit. I follow as many auctions as I can and to find a Model 1903 selling under $200 is getting darn near impossible.

The lowest price of about 20 sold recently on GB for this model is $260 for a poorly buffed and reblued gun.

Here is another that sold for $275.
SN 155XXX MOST OF THE FINISH IS GONE, REVOLVER DOES FUNCTION WELL, GRIPS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO CRACKS OR MAJOR CHIPPING.

I do kind of agree with the half gone gold finish. I would not want it and probably would prefer a 50% blue gun as a shooter.

JSR III · Jan 8, 2014

Let us not forget that this is a family heirloom. Much of the value of such guns is in the family ownership, not the gold finish whether 100% or 50%. You could not buy one of my grandfathers guns that I hold in my collection for any money. However, it looks like the OP wants to sell.

Frank from Bozeman · Jan 9, 2014

Here are some photos that may help. There is no "B" on the serial number on the bottom of the barrel.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

mrcvs · Jan 9, 2014

Your gold-plated S & W

Thanks for the pictures. A nice gun! My opinion is that it contains 40 or 50% gold plating with original mother of pearl grips. My estimate is revised upward from my previous post, but I don't know by how much???

Wiregrassguy · Jan 9, 2014

Those appear to be original S&W pearl grips. They're valuable but I can't tell you how much since I haven't seen any sold lately. My gut tells me any estimate I give would be too low. Without them, the gun is just another old .32 Hand Ejector.

glowe · Jan 9, 2014

Good pictures. If you were interested in selling the revolver, I would think that you would get $350, if sold with those stocks. The condition is problematic and I do not think the gun was gold plated, but rather a thin gold wash was applied and the 32 HE was used or carried extensively. Another option is one that may well get you more money. If you purchase a pair of used hard rubber I frame stocks, the gun should sell for $250 and the pearl stocks sold seperately could bring $250 to $300.

Some will say the stocks should be kept with the gun, but depending on how much you need to get for the revolver, that is your decision. If others in your family are interested, I would try to pass it down the line as a rememberance of your ancester.

mrcvs · Jan 9, 2014

Wiregrassguy said:
Those appear to be original S&W pearl grips. They're valuable but I can't tell you how much since I haven't seen any sold lately. My gut tells me any estimate I give would be too low. Without them, the gun is just another old .38 M&P.

+ 1 Wiregrassguy! That's what I was trying to say in previous posts, but just did not get the words out right. The Model of 1903, when it comes to Smith & Wessons, is not all that valuable, in a relative sense. Gold plating, if 90%+, would make this a spectacular firearm. In its current state, the gold plating adds a slight premium, but not much (but more than being 'just another' S & W). The value, in my opinion, IS in the grips. So, I am going to hazard a guess here, and this is just a guess: $125 to $150 for the firearm, independent of the gold plating, maybe a slight premium for the gold plating (due to condition issues). The grips, on the other hand, are the true value of this gun. Maybe over $200. Total package now at $350 or so. Maybe my estimate on the grips is even low. Comments anyone?

Hondo44 · Jan 9, 2014

Is it common for factory nickel/gold finishes guns to have the hammer and trigger plated? Or is this a sign of a non-factory nickel/gold re-finish? Factory nickel only plated guns have case hardened hammers and triggers.

To achieve maximum value from a prospective buyer they will need to know if there is any factory re-finish information on the left side of the grip frame under the MOP stock, like a star and/or date stamp.

would like to know the value of my gold plated Model 1903

US Veteran

Member

SWCA Member

Attachments

Member

SWCA Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

SWCA Member

US Veteran

Member

Attachments

SWCA Member

Member

US Veteran

SWCA Member

Member

Similar threads