38 special ctg nickel plated

shortwavedave · #1 12-21-2013, 02:10 PM

Hello, I am a newbie here, although I have a S&W lover for a while. A 357 magnum 686 6 inch barrel is my pride. The reason I came here, my son traded for a 38 special ctg nickel plated 4 inch barrel. He wants to know how bad he got burnt, (auto repair for the gun) ? I have done some searching and I have seen them from $175 to $1400. All three s/n's ,chamber, grip,barrel match. There is some flaking of the plating on the trigger housing and on the top of the left top of the pearl grips. The s/n is a pretty early, c. 105237. Have not shot it yet but if it shoots as sweet as it looks, I think he got a good deal. Any help on the value would be greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas to all and may all your shots be true.

Jim Watson · #2 12-21-2013, 02:29 PM

Show pictures.

If there is no letter prefix to the serial number, that is in the 1906-1909 bracket.

Are the hammer and trigger nickel plated?

murphydog · #3 12-21-2013, 02:32 PM

Welcome! Please have a look at this post and perhaps post some photos:

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

If you mean the SN is C 105237, it is a .38 Military & Police from about 1949. Its value would be dependent on whether the finish is original and its mechanical condition, which is where the photos help.

s&wchad · #4 12-21-2013, 02:34 PM

Serial number C105XXX dates to around 1950 and the gun is a .38 Military and Police revolver, aka a pre-model 10. The grips are almost surely aftermarket.
Photos would help determine a value.
Click on "how to" link: -> Attachments and Images

Art Doc · #5 12-21-2013, 02:39 PM

Prices will vary wildly based on condition, region, condition, scarcity, condition, and a few other things (like condition). You can see $250 to a $1,000 on a gun like you describe. If the nickel is original it's worth more than if it's been refinished. The shorter the barrel the higher the value.

Oh, and condition counts, too.

Jack Flash · #6 12-21-2013, 02:53 PM

How much was the auto repair worth?

Is the gun warm to the touch?

If the trade did not go through an FFL, and I did not know the guy really well, I would be inclined to shy away from accepting a gun as payment for anything.

DWalt · #7 12-21-2013, 06:36 PM

Most any solid M&P in shooting condition is worth $300, and perhaps more if it hasn't been messed with and is in good cosmetic condition with original grips. If the value of the repair was $300 or more, he probably came out OK.

shortwavedave · #8 12-21-2013, 06:57 PM

On the butt there is a c on one side and the s/n on the other they are not together, no the hammer and the trigger are not nickel, thanks

shortwavedave · #9 12-21-2013, 07:16 PM

I do know the person rather well, it was her grandfather's. The work would have cost $800 - $1200 at a shop, thanks for the warning that is not why I am here.

Art Doc · #10 12-21-2013, 08:56 PM

The C is part of the serial. The C prefix was used 1948-67.

shortwavedave · #11 12-21-2013, 11:04 PM

The hammer and trigger are not nickel plated

shortwavedave · #12 12-22-2013, 01:00 AM

Hi, to youins that replied to this post the pictures are loaded, hope this gives the info needed for a estimate. thanks all

mbliss57 · #13 12-22-2013, 01:04 AM

That gun is 1949-1950 S&W M&P.Some would call it a pre model 10. I would not. (semantics) Does it have a 1 line made in USA on right side of frame or 4 line S&W marcas registdas etc..?
If the hammer and trigger are case hardened forged steel then they are most likely original. The only question probably not answerable is whether the Nickel finish is a refinish or original. For this we need pics.
Either way if it is refinished that gun is probably worth maybe $300. No more without better info. The grips/stocks are not original. If the pearl grips are actually MOP/ Mother of pearl they are worth more than the gun. If faux pearl which is common and likely they are worth $15. An original set of diamond center grips from that period in excellent condition will cost $75 and up to replace.

mbliss57 · #14 12-22-2013, 01:16 AM

I don't want to be too critical but pics 1 & 3 are usable. 2 & 4 or of no value due to blurriness. Others with a better eye for refinishes may be along. It doesn't look like one to me but I am still trying to learn that craft. If you take off the grips/stocks and take a pic of both sides of the grip it may have markings that will tell if it has or has not been refinished by S&W.
Still either way if the repair was $300 or more you did fine. At $300 you may be break even but at $500 and up you are way ahead.

shortwavedave · #15 12-22-2013, 01:33 AM

Thanks for the post, there are five pics. My son did just fine in the trade ,I have a friend of a friend and he knew a lot about this gun,thegrips are real pearl they have imperfections only nature could make.As for the finish it is S&W done, he said its worth more then I have read on here. Thanks anyway.

mbliss57 · #16 12-22-2013, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortwavedave

Thanks for the post, there are five pics. My son did just fine in the trade ,I have a friend of a friend and he knew a lot about this gun,thegrips are real pearl they have imperfections only nature could make.As for the finish it is S&W done, he said its worth more then I have read on here. Thanks anyway.

Then why did you ask?

JSR III · #17 12-22-2013, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Still either way if the repair was $300 or more you did fine. At $300 you may be break even but at $500 and up you are way ahead.

Not sure I follow your analogy. I think that you mean if the repair was $300 or LESS, at $500 and up you are way behind.

Unless I am reading the OP's post wrong, his son did the repair work and received the gun as payment. If he changed the other parties windshield wipers, then he made out well in the trade, if he replaced the motor and transmission, then not so good.

I guess a lot depends on true value of the gun and the stocks, which I think is why the OP came here. I personally wouldn't pay more than $500 for the gun and I don't care for pearl stocks (if in fact they are real). Just my personal taste. For all I know, if pearl, they could be worth a ton. Just don't like them. I agree with General Patton on that issue.

But this is probably moot anyway as the OP has a guy that knows a guy whose brother met a guy on the bus that thinks we are all full of it as he is an expert on S&W's and their value. As they say on TV, COME ON MAN.....

mbliss57 · #18 12-22-2013, 09:57 AM

[QUOTE=JSR III;137606815]Not sure I follow your analogy. I think that you mean if the repair was $300 or LESS, at $500 and up you are way behind.

Unless I am reading the OP's post wrong, his son did the repair work and received the gun as payment. If he changed the other parties windshield wipers, then he made out well in the trade, if he replaced the motor and transmission, then not so good.

Yes I had the $ part backwards but like you said its a moot point.

shortwavedave · #19 12-22-2013, 03:07 PM

So I guess you saw all the pice, $500 is more than $300 you said earlier, not saying the experts are bs here I have been all over the web and it has a lot of OPINIONS! On the pistols
, it's obvious you are the man here. BTW the work on the car was all bull....friend too,

DWalt · #20 12-22-2013, 03:31 PM

"That gun is 1949-1950 S&W M&P.Some would call it a pre model 10. I would not."

Any C-series M&P with a SN up to a little over C 400000 (when Model numbering started) is a "pre-Model 10." There are a few very late S-series M&Ps with the new high-speed hammer that also qualify.

mbliss57 · #21 12-22-2013, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

"That gun is 1949-1950 S&W M&P.Some would call it a pre model 10. I would not."

Any C-series M&P with a SN up to a little over C 400000 (when Model numbering started) is a "pre-Model 10." There are a few very late S-series M&Ps with the new high-speed hammer that also qualify.

You are correct..I was thinking it was an S prefix... it was late last night.