LGS has a 27-3, FBI commerative unfired in the wood display case. The revolver appears unfired outside the factory, the wood case has some issues, a couple of dings, and has been somewhat poorly relined with blue velvet. Pistol is a 5 inch, NOT pinned or recessed. They are asking a firm $975, with sales tax and fees it puts about $90 more on it. What say the learned? Too much? What would a fair price be considering the condition of the case. Tools and docs are present. Thank you, Ken
FBI 27-3 Commerative
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oysterer
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I don't care about the condition of the case but love that the gun is unfired. I like the -3s as they are really great shooters. I don't think these commemoratives are more collectable than plain guns but I like that the set is complete. I see that the original set had kind of loose fitting blue velvet draped inside it, so that seems original to it. Price is ok, for me a tad high as I would not like the magna stocks that came with it as much as I would target stocks. If you like the original stocks, go for it. $800 plus fees would be better but maybe not realistic.
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I would buy it without hesitation.
I worked with the Bureau too late to be able to have bought one of those new. I am fortunate that when my Mentor retired and moved north into a smaller home, he gave me his revolver.
I worked with the Bureau too late to be able to have bought one of those new. I am fortunate that when my Mentor retired and moved north into a smaller home, he gave me his revolver.
FBI 27
Your photos are exactly like the gun I saw today, including the velvet case lining. Based on what you said and showed, I'll call the store back and hopefully get them sown a little more. Any guess as to how many were made?
Your photos are exactly like the gun I saw today, including the velvet case lining. Based on what you said and showed, I'll call the store back and hopefully get them sown a little more. Any guess as to how many were made?
The FIBAA commissioned 3200 revolvers
Remember that was 35+ years ago
Remember that was 35+ years ago
Florida Guy
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I don't think commemoratives are a good investment, if that's one of your reasons for buying.
I speak from personal experience.
Most typically sell for the same or less than a similar non-comm. example.
I bought this model 586-3 on GB just because I thought it was very handsome,
and I had just started in the hobby.
Also came with wood display case.
It is a INS (Immigration & Naturalization Services) comm.
They only produced 183 examples, so I thought it would turn out to be a good investment. After owning it for about 6 years, and living it's life in my safe (and not enjoying it as I thought I might), I decided to sell it. I advertised it many places, including this forum, and it took over a year to sell (not here), and I got perhaps $50 more than I paid, even though super-low production. INS is now part of DHS. My gun was also unfired after leaving factory. I bought it from the original INS agent that ordered it after his retirement, including every piece of paperwork for the order. The agent passed away about 6 months after my purchase. It was being sold to help pay for his medical bills.
That is the last comm. I will buy, unless I find one priced the same or less
than the same model that's not a comm.
No more safe queens for me.
Good luck with your purchase.
I speak from personal experience.
Most typically sell for the same or less than a similar non-comm. example.
I bought this model 586-3 on GB just because I thought it was very handsome,
and I had just started in the hobby.
Also came with wood display case.
It is a INS (Immigration & Naturalization Services) comm.
They only produced 183 examples, so I thought it would turn out to be a good investment. After owning it for about 6 years, and living it's life in my safe (and not enjoying it as I thought I might), I decided to sell it. I advertised it many places, including this forum, and it took over a year to sell (not here), and I got perhaps $50 more than I paid, even though super-low production. INS is now part of DHS. My gun was also unfired after leaving factory. I bought it from the original INS agent that ordered it after his retirement, including every piece of paperwork for the order. The agent passed away about 6 months after my purchase. It was being sold to help pay for his medical bills.
That is the last comm. I will buy, unless I find one priced the same or less
than the same model that's not a comm.
No more safe queens for me.
Good luck with your purchase.
No firearm is a good investment.
I would never buy a firearm with the plan that it would go up in value and I would make some money
Buy what you like and enjoy it.
When it comes time to sell, if you make some money...GREAT.
If you don't make money do not get all worked up about it, you enjoyed it while you owned it
Colt SAA is 100% correct... sans a very few exceptions. Most firearms are a loosing deal....I have a bunch of Old Winchesters and Commemoratives that were bought 15 years ago that I would be lucky to break Even.... Had I invested that $$$ In a Home here in NC I would have made a Pot of Gold ( dependent on area).
muddocktor
Member
I can agree with this statement 100%. I buy the guns I buy to satisfy myself and not as an investment. I will let my daughter look at making any profit or loss on them when I pass and she inherits. Knowing her, she will keep them and cherish them too as she also love fine revolvers way more than bottom feeders. She ain't one of the Tupperware crowd, for sure.
I wanted one when they were first made. I saw them escalate in price for the last 30+ years. Last month I paid something like $1425 for one like you are looking at. Probably paid too much, but at this point dollars were not the issue. I think I will put my name on the brass plate!!
Your find seems like a bargain!
I do not plan to shoot it,
Your find seems like a bargain!
I do not plan to shoot it,
I got one NIB on trade and it took about 2 years to sell it and break even. Being in VA which is home to FBI Academy, finally a new agent saw my ad and we negotiated for about $700 and were both happy.
When i started buying or rather building a collection. I was told by many, don't give the commemorative pieces special consideration , treat them as just buying a piece. I would like it better if it were a 27-2, but that is just me. i don't really care about the wood box either. Is the price firm, because he just got it in? The 5 " is nice. If you want it, take 9- 100 dollar bills down there, and put them on the counter, and let him stare into Ben's eyes and tell him no. Then you will be under a grand. Still not a killer deal, but reasonably fair. The only 2 things I really like here are unfired( if really true), and 5". But none of that matters if you like and want it. Just my .02
The Norseman
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Loyaljeeper
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I get sick when I think of a missed Elmer Keith Commemorative. I was in the market for a 610 or 625 back in 2011-2012. A local shop said he had a S&W 29 with a 4” barrel when I inquired about an N frame. It was actually purposely hidden in the corner of the display case. He wouldn’t take my $600 OTD offer. I basically lost it over $60. Honestly, I was holding out for a moonclip stainless gun.
