Hello all,

I am selling a S&W 44 special for a friend. Can you guys give me an idea what it might bring? It is an M&P, really nice...95% or better. Grips match gun. 5 inch. No box or papers. I will be glad to email pics but having a hard time posting a pic here.

send pics to
[email protected]

Welcome to the Forum.
If it is a .44 Special it is not an M&P. If it has fixed sights it may be a .44 Military. They are quite rare, and worth a lot of money. What is the serial number, from the bottom of the butt?
Jim

s 14845# is the serial number

My friend got this gun from a rancher friend that had died some years ago. He asked me to sell the Smith and a nice Colt New Service in 45 colt for him.

It probably shipped in late 1955-early 1956. Very likely a .44 1950 Military. Not many were made, and quite desirable. I can't guess at a value, but make sure you get some idea prior to attempting sale. It's probably worth a lot more than you might think. I believe Elmer Keith had one like it.

So...It is in really nice shape. 95% + what would be a fair price?

Would like to hear about the colt new service too.

impossible to say without good clear pictures. sounds like a couple of interesting guns too.

Value is in four figures...but which four figures? That all depends on condition, whether it comes with it's original factory box and its contents, does it still have the original stocks that are numbered to the gun, etc., etc. As you can tell there are many factors involved in determining the value. Please post as many photos as possible from many angles. That will help a lot.

__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. RSO

I have been trying to post some pics but just cant do it for some reason. Most likely user error. Can someone assist me with it if I email the pics?

[email protected] and I'll put them up for you.

If it is a 1950 in really nice shape likely sell for 3-4K or so.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

IIRC, only about 125 Model 1950s were made with a 5 inch barrel in 44 Special.

Pics sent to Saxonpig for his assistance in posting. Thanks Saxonpig!

Hi
There were 1100 1950 44 specials made the 5 inch was the one they made the most of, then the 4 inch and last was the 6 1/2. The break down on the numbers made is only a guess but over the last 20 years I will give you my
best guess.

5 inch 600 made.
4 inch 400 made
6 1/2 100 made
There are only 2 documented nickel ones made and they are in 4 inch.
Jim Fisher

ALL RIGHT !

Lets stop beating around the bush


I will give a $100 !

PICS
ONLY GOT ONE, BUT IT LOOKS REALLY NICE.

1950 military, pre-21



Charlie

With the advent of the .44 Magnum in the mid-1950s, the popularity of revolvers chambered in .44 Special waned considerably. After all, the .44 Magnum was much more macho, had far greater market appeal, and if you really liked the .44 Special cartridge, you could also shoot those in a .44 Magnum, having the best of both worlds. After years of very meager sales, the S&W .44 Special revolver was finally dropped from the line in 1966, as it no longer had a market niche. That's why they are so sought after today.

First sir, you NEED to do this:
Factory Letter Request Form

Then, disregard anything you heard here about value and list the gun on GUNBROKER.COM.
It could bring double what was mentioned here, and probably will. It will DEFINITELY bring much more than you will get here.

You have 1 of 600, 5 inch guns.

Don't rush to give it away.

This is a gun for AUCTION.

Many here do not sell here. They sell on Gunbroker. That includes the forum owner.

There is a reason for that.

I sold one with box for much more than was mentioned here.

If you have box and tools it brings more money also.

Grips should number to the gun. If they do, that also adds value.

Start with getting a letter from the link I posted.

I agree get it lettered then sell it on GB. A little while ago a forum member sold a pristine Nickel Colt Lawman MKIII here for $800 the guy who purchased it turned around and sold it on GB for over $1,800 what a swell guy.

I see no big need for a letter before you sell it.
It is what it is- does it really matter what day it shipped to a certain distributor? There is always a slim chance for an interesting letter, but I doubt it will happen in the period that gun shipped. If you don't mind a 5 month wait, go ahead.

If all numbers match, and they probably do, good pics will sell the gun.

Also-
Roy says in History of that there were 1200 of the 1950-44 Mils built.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

It probably makes relatively little difference what the starting price is - will probably be bid up quickly.

Be careful about saying "selling it for a friend"

It seems harmless, I know---but there is a story (I know---a story)...

about someone who was selling a couple of guns "for a friend" at a gun show.

The ATF appeared----"Engaging in the firearms business---with no license."

I do not believe everything I hear, but, prudence is best. Your freedom can be taken away in a heartbeat.

If you let it run for at least a week with good photos and a good explanation about what it is,you could start at a penny and let her rip.Dont skimp on the listing.

That is what is called free market...

and why I told him NOT to sell the gun HERE.
If whoever sold the gun was too lazy to auction it, then it is not his problem someone made 1000 dollars on it.

I would letter it so the buyer is comfortable that it is in the configuration it left the factory in.
The fifty dollars is well worth it. I always see the absolute most on any gun I sell, and a letter goes with them all.

Start the bidding at a penny. It brings more bids this way, and psychologically, people
need" to have it more when there are 25 bids then just 1.

Set a reserve if you feel the need. I would set a high reserve because the ad costs you nothing unless it sells and you can just hit "relist" if it does not.
I take it no box etc?

I mentioned now three times that I personally would letter it so it adds to credibilty of configuration, and the one in a million chance it went to someone with a "name" ( it has happened more than once) is worth the "five month" wait.
Get all you can out of this gun. Some on here may play it down, but it is a VERY VERY desirable piece.
SMALL amount made. Less survived.

Hopefully it is in great condition. That is where the money lies.

I own two and have sold a few. The least I got for one was 3900 change.

CRAZY things can happen on Gunbroker, and DO happen ALL the time.
When you list it, you will be a new seller. So you need to take MANY pictures..... GOOD pictures. You also need to make it clear that you will speak to anyone interested in person to answer any questions ( by phone), and that local person can view gun in person. This will help give people confidence you are not a scammer. This is also why I would set a reserve if I were a new seller. Give yourself protection.

Start with a letter,( link above) and by the time you get it, from the way things have been going, the gun will be worth MORE.

If you have any guns to sell other than these... common guns..... start a gunbroker account and build a few feedbacks in the meantime. Get your feet wet, so to speak.

Thank you for the GunBroker information. I will follow your advice on how to list the gun. Makes sence. I will try to get it listed in the next couple days.

When you get it listed let us know. I for one would appreciate it if you would PM me a link or auction number. No links to active auction allowed on the open forum. Its a rule here.
I'm sure there are quite a few of us on this forum who would be very interested in it.

Awesome gun- Lots of considerations in this situation. It may be the best thing to do is send the gun out for consignment sale. The percentage you give to the seller may be easily made up for with beginner errors and no feedback or reputation.

A couple sellers come to mind who alway get ridiculous prices- Jack the Dog, and Diamond Firearms. I don't know what their commission is but considering the prices they get I wouldn't be surprised if they were worth it.

If you do opt to sell yourself a couple things come to mind:

Make yourself available for conversation. Being a seller with no feedback could hurt but with a gun that rare, I would think most buyers will probably be happy to work around that if you are available.

Sell the gun for yourself, not your friend. Work out the money with your friend after the dust settles. But the sale should be between you and the buyer. Legalities aside, a simple 2 party transaction is the way to go, the buyer should not be concerned about any invisible party behind the scenes.

Consider buying it yourself- better than money in the bank.

Gun is sold pending face to face exchange. Thanks again to all who helped with info. You are a good bunch

So how much did it sell for if you dont mind me asking.
Thanks , Twig.