1950 M&P 4", worth?

[sheepdawg]

My local fun store has a pretty decent old M&P 38 spec. It's got some minor surface rust, the bluing looks about 90%. The bore shines like a new quarter and there's absolutely no play in the cylinder. Looks like a sock drawer gun to me. I'm more into 60s and 70's revolvers but this one is the iconic S&W 38.
LGS has it marked at $450 but I like to haggle. Judging from all the plastic in the shop I'd bet the owner would love to get rid of it.

What are these going for?

 

[22hipower]

Rust and 90% doesn't really fit what I think of as a "sock drawer" gun but that price is about what I'd expect to see it priced for where I shop. Pictures would help folks here assess it more accurately but if you want one and can negotiate it down a bit, go for it. Pictures if you get it please.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[rct269]

Somewhat of a beater, as you've described, may be worth $450 to some, but I wouldn't carry it home if they gave it to me! There are REAL sock drawer guns out there, and they're worth whatever it takes to get it!!

I've only owned one real honest to God sock drawer gun, and it cost $9500!!!! That might have been a bit much, because when it was sold during the liquidation of my collection, it only fetched $8825; but it was mine to drool on while I had it. I even took some pictures of it, and posted them here---never did that before---nor since.

Back to the real world, $450 probably isn't all that bad, but there are more than a few pretty spiffy old M&P's out there for not a whole lot more. Me----I'd keep looking---for a Target model.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Hawg Rider]

I bought my minty 1950 6" nickel .38 M&P (C117638) with MOP stocks a few years ago at a local gun shop for $350 OTD. Wasn't looking for one, but for some reason it appealed to me and I had to give it a good home. I wouldn't sell it now for less than $850...it's my "Nawlins Pimp Special"! Shoots great and is very accurate. As Ralph says, there are millions of M&Ps out there so you don't have to settle for a beater. Are the original wood stocks in nice condition? If you think the finish on that 4" M&P would clean up, then it would be OK at maybe $400. You could get lucky and talk the owner down to around $350 which would be a great buy. If you like it and want it, buy it. Good luck!

 

[22hipower]

This M&P from 1923 represents what I think of when I hear "sock drawer gun." In this case, a large sock as the box was in there too. Hard to find one like it for $450 though. And, as this one doesn't go to the range, the one you're considering might be more fun anyway.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2pgtES8 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2pgvn1R https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2pgvmMj https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Elroy]

This M&P from 1923 represents what I think of when I hear "sock drawer gun."

Elroy has a 20's sock gun like that as well..........but we don't have the box