Should I buy a commemorative model 19

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gunmark

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I have found a model 19 commemorative "Tennessee Highway Patrol" for sale. It is a model 19-4, 4" barrel in a wood presentation case. From what I can find out, it was manufactured in 1979 and 600 were made. The gun is in pristine shape, has fantastic grips and the box is in great shape other than a scuff mark on the box. I usually would not touch a commemorative but it is in nice shape, I live in TN and the price seems reasonable $650. Talk me in to it or talk me out of it, I would appreciate some of your feedback. Thanks
 
What's your intended use? If you want a shooter, you might keep looking -- if this is an excellent to perfect commemorative, you may be disinclined to use it. For about $100 to $200 less you could find decent 19 shooter and feel better running it hard or carrying it.

If you're looking for a collector's piece, make certain of your assessment and if it's in collector's grade condition, the price is lower than most commemorative editions I've seen.

And if it's in excellent or better condition, and you don't care and'll shoot it anyway, $650 is still a pretty good price. Of course, good manners dictates you should try to talk 'em down at least a little. ;)
 
Unless you are a TN HP LEO - current or retired (or have some special connection to the agency, I would personally pass on a "marked" gun. They rarely sell for anything close to a standard model and don't think that the price of $650 is enough of an incentive to entice. You can get a standard version in excellent condition for about the same price.

If you really like the commemorative and will bring it to your grave, then I suppose it doesn't matter much, but normally resale value has to be kept in mind when paying for a new gun.
 
Thanks Hapworth for the input. The gun appears to be unfired and I can't detect a turn ring. I probably would make it a safe queen because I understand shooting a commemorative will kill the resale. The seller started @ $800 and came down to $650. I think I'll offer $600 and see what happens. Thanks again
 
I'll bet S&W sent out a memo to every LE Dept. in the country back in 1979 to help sales by offering to make a commemorative for them. I have a friend who's a retired LAPD officer that has a 200th anniversary "City of L.A." commemorative that I keep toying with. Those fancy presentation cases just seem to take up too much room in the safe:D An unfired model 19-4 is sure worth $650 if you're looking for a nice shooter though.
 
Gunmark,

I have a slightly different take on it. Now, to be fair, I really like the commemoratives. Not for the value, I agree they never really see much added value. I just like the fact that there are less of them than their stock counterparts. I also shoot mine. I see it this way. 2 weeks ago I picked up my latest; a model 27 50th anniversary. I got it new in the box (a condition that is quite common for the commemoratives). I paid $825 for it, less than a stock NIB 27 would go for in my area. Took it to the range today, had a blast. Just something to think about.
fuzzy
 
I agree with chief38! Commentaries actually could take away from the actual value unless you or someone that is tied to the agency really wants it and is willing to pay top dollar !


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The only problem with most commeratives is when you go to sell it you can't find a buyer willing to pay anything but price of a common model or less. I go with chief38, unless you have a connection to the TN police I'd look for a plain 19-4 for less money.
 
r3captain said:
I'll bet S&W sent out a memo to every LE Dept. in the country back in 1979 to help sales by offering to make a commemorative for them.
Click to expand...

Believe you're correct on that.
LGS here had a NIB Oregon State Police Model 19.
Sat in the case for maybe 6 months before a retired trooper paid the asking price - $650.

Offered $500, which I considered fair for a shooter and would have gone to 550.
 
TAROMAN said:
Believe you're correct on that.
LGS here had a NIB Oregon State Police Model 19.
Sat in the case for maybe 6 months before a retired trooper paid the asking price - $650.

Offered $500, which I considered fair for a shooter and would have gone to 550.
Click to expand...
Could just be a definitional issue here, but I'm curious: to me a "shooter" is a gun that, while mechanically sound, has accrued just enough use and wear to keep it out of collectible or high quality territory -- a solid NRA "good" to "very good"; how is NIB quality a "shooter"?
 
Hapworth said:
Could just be a definitional issue here, but I'm curious: to me a "shooter" is a gun that, while mechanically sound, has accrued just enough use and wear to keep it out of collectible or high quality territory -- a solid NRA "good" to "very good"; how is NIB quality a "shooter"?
Click to expand...

Sorry to have confused the issue.
Meant to mean a "shooter" to me - one that gets used.
I am not a collector and have no use for safe queen/display guns.
 
TAROMAN said:
Sorry to have confused the issue.
Meant to mean a "shooter" to me - one that gets used.
I am not a collector and have no use for safe queen/display guns.
Click to expand...
Copy that -- I shoot everything I own and if I can't depend on it for potential defensive use I don't keep it. ;)
 
Hey guys, I want to thank all of you for your input. I will have to admit I have several "safe queens" and quite frankly I do enjoy pulling them out of the safe and polishing on them a little bit. I would like to say I shoot them all, but even if I wanted to there just doesn't seem to be, at least at this point in my life, enough time to do it. Maybe one more "safe queen" at the right price wouldn't hurt. By the way, after spending lots of hours looking at and drooling over guns on the forum, I've got to ask, if you have seen any of Doc 44's guns, does he own a shooter? Man what a collection!!!!!! Again, thanks to all.
 
I have two U.S. Customs Commemorative guns, the model 19 Customs Patrol, and the Colt series 70 1911 Special agent commemorative. I collected them because of my 25 year career with U.S. Customs.

I will probably never shoot them, but I know if the need arose, they will work.

I nearly bought another Customs 1911 a couple of years ago. It had been shot, and was on the net. I wouldn't pay more than a standard Series 70 1911 would bring, as the commemortive value was diminished after it had been fired, however I was looking to make it a unique carry gun. Unfortunately I was out-bid on the auction, when my top price was too low.

My thoughts on your situation is this. If you can get it for the same price as a nice shooter-grade gun, then go for it. But unless you have some connection with the Tennesse Higawy Patrol, I would pass on it. Some young Trooper who came into the highway patrol after these were offered, will want it someday.
 
There are those of us who, while not having a connection to a particular agency might be inclined to acquire LE commemorative or agency owned S&W's for various reasons. Some would call this another form of the addiction. We have one member here is a professed LE collector. The few previous LE Smith's that I have are all shooters but that doesn't mean I wouldn't pick-up a safe queen if the fever over took me. The whole resale value thing, while important to some, is only second to my wants and what is in my backside pocket. Rescue/project guns are a whole 'nother thread.

hardcase60
 
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