I was in a shop today and amongst a lot of junk was a Smith & Wesson Model 30, Flat Latch, round butt, diamond grips, serial number stated with 770....

Pretty neat looking little revolver, it did have some holster wear at the muzzle, a burr on the trigger guard, looked to be in good shape.

Some questions, does the flat latch make it an I frame? How desirable are the Model 30?

And of course, what's it worth? I may make a move on it....

I think I sold this pre model 30 for $400.00 a few years ago. No box or papers, it had been returned to the factory at some point. It was a joy to carry, regretted selling it actually.

Get it, you'll love it.

If it is marked Mod 30, it may be a J Frame, or possibly an Improved I Frame. Either way, they are wonderful little guns. I have a few of them, one is a Dec. 1957 Pre mod 30, (s/n 66216X) on the Improved I Frame. (I gave $500 for it just last spring). These little guns seem to be inherently accurate and are a joy to carry.
It probably looks a lot like this one.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

FWIW - That burr on the trigger guard is likely caused by the retention holster the owner used.

Well, I went back and looked at it again with a bright flashlight. Quite a bit more finish wear than was obvious under the poor lighting in the shop. The rear grip frame was speckled and turning brown, some freckling on the frame, more than a little holster wear. Lock up and function was good, this one is probably in "Good, Shooter Condition".

The best he could do was $350, which is probably more than I want to spend right now. Being .32 Long caliber is harder for me to love, as it means a whole new cartridge to load for and accumulate ammo.

I think I'll let him sit on it awhile and see if he comes off the price, I could grow to love it if it was less money....

Since you don't want it, how about giving me the LGS contact info?😀

Please provide Rpg with the LGS info. about thirty minutes after you have given it to me. LOL hardcase60

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You want me to do what?

If you have no experience with one of these little gems you are in for a treat if you get back to that store and buy it. All 3 of my 32s are very accurate and delightful to shoot. Factory 32 Long ammo is feeble in deference to the many ancient revolvers still out there, but you can safely reload (quite cheaply, once you have the dies) up to pretty potent velocities in a Model 30. I would happily buy another shooter for $350.

Well that seems like a very fair price for it

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

Yeah, let your local VA folks know where it they can get it! I have a 90+% Md 30 flat latch on the improved I frame that I wouldn't consider getting rid of for less than $550. Let's keep 'em in the family.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

I would have pulled out the $350 before the guy finished his sentence.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

The revolver is at Riverside Pawn, Martinsville Virgina.

Phone: 276-638-7296

Seemed like nice folks, didn't ask if they would ship.

For what it’s worth. Last year I paid $400 for a 2” flat latch 30-1 (J frame) in 95+% condition. And a couple of months ago $270 for a 3” (not flat latch) in probably 60% condition, about the same as what you’re describing.