2 commemoratives - need values

[Dartshark]

My stepmother has two S&W revolvers that her father left her that she wants to sell. I need to find out what they are worth so I can either sell them for her or possibly buy one or both. I want her to get a fair price so I came to the people that know S&W's.

The first is a Virginia State Police 50th Anniversary Mod 66-1.
The second is an FBI 50th Anniversary Mod 27-3.

Both have wooden cases and are unfired. The FBI pistol comes with all the paperwork and she has the cancelled checks for both.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[824tsv]

Welcome to the Forum,
Although visually appealing (to me anyways), they are not particularly appealing to the average shooter/collector. Unless the purchaser has a personal connection with the person or organization being commemorated they are not particularly popular.
I have read here that the value is the same as the standard production model in the same condition. Others hopefully will chime in.

 

[Zipdog]

If they are not in 100% perfect condition they are worth less than a standard model in same condition. That is if a buyer can be found. Most people don't want them in any condition.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Ditto what 824tsv & Zipdog said. Ballpark, guns unfired with presentation case, $850 for the M66-1 and & $1,000 for the M27-3, give or take a hundred.

 

[surfgun]

What about an NIS (Naval Investigative Service) precursor to NCIS, M66? Only 333, were made.

 

[wrhk33]

I like the FBI one.

 

[Dartshark]

Thanks for the help.
I've decided to buy them from her and since she liked my price she surprised me by throwing in an 1864 Springfield trap door rifle that had hung above her father's fireplace!
Made for a great xmas if you overlook a $1200 vet bill we just got for our dog

 

[Iggy]

The "Trap Door Springfield" wasn't a reality until 1873. However comma, what you may well have is an Allin conversion of an 1864 muzzle loader to a cartridge gun.
Springfield Model 1865 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It is a little different than the 1873. In any case you came out of that smelling like a rose.

 

[Gunhacker]

I would disagree with what others have said as far as the FBI M27-3 is concerned being worth less, that gun has the uncommon 5" barrel. I think that warrants additional value on a N-frame... commemorative or not.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

These FBI guns were originally offered for sale only to FBI Agents through one of their fraternal organizations, and they had a "FBI" s/n prefix. They are in fact 5-inchers. That said, I still don't think they sell for mega-bucks. About what a 5-inch unfired M27-3 in a nice box would go for.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...h-anniversary-commemorative-comes-home-me.htm

 

[Dartshark]

Looks exactly like your pic.
As soon as I pic it up I can research it in detail.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

If you are keeping those revolvers just to shoot, and you need money, those two sets of grips may be worth ~$400.00 for the both. You could sell them yourself here on the Accessories Forum. Or we have one of our regular member who is hunting for good quality grips. (Jim)

Just an option to consider.

Fellows please correct me if I am wrong about the value.

 

[Dartshark]

Thanks for the grip info.
For now these two will just sit in the safe.
I have a 29-3 44 mag with the 8 inch barrel that I use when shooting a revolver. Might be looking for some kinder grips for it in the near future. Any suggestions?

 

[Twiki357]

I just purchase an Arizona Highway Patrol 50th anniversary 66-1, unfired, about 6 weeks ago for $640 OTD. Basically, exactly the same as your Virginia SP, display case and all.

I would think the FBI N frame model 27-3 might be a little more.

 

[Geno44]

The FBI gun was produced in about 1983 and sold only to Special Agents. It sold for somewhere in the low $300s and had a very standard finish rather than a premium or high polish finish. It was not supposed to ever be resold but I'm not sure how that is supposed to work with the passage of time. I think it was used as a fundraiser for children of deceased FBI Agents. The FBI serial number is somewhat unique.

 

[kaaskop49]

I just purchase an Arizona Highway Patrol 50th anniversary 66-1, unfired, about 6 weeks ago for $640 OTD. Basically, exactly the same as your Virginia SP, display case and all.

I would think the FBI N frame model 27-3 might be a little more.

Paid $650 for my cased AHP unfired commemorative 3 years ago. No longer unfired.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[snipershot1944]

The VSP 66 is worth $650-$850 depending on how low the VSP number is, and if you have the matching numbered S&W belt buckle and knife. They were sold to members of the department only in 1982.

 

[ken158]

I had a VSP I sold for $500 and a FBI I thought I would never sell and it finally went for $700. Being in VA, I thought they would being more but as noted, commeratives are hard to sell and if you have one that has been fired, then the value drops like a rock...

 

[one eye joe]

GENERALLY SPEAKING, COMMEMORATIVE FIREARMS ARE NOT WORTH A PREMIUM. THE GAUDIER THAT THEY APPEAR, THE LESS THEY ARE WORTH. REGARDLESS, YOU STILL HAVE 2 UNFIRED, ENCASED REVOLVERS. BEFORE YOU GIVE THEM AWAY FOR CHEAP MONEY, JUST USE THEM AS SHOOTERS. YOU CAN SELL OFF THE STOCKS TO LOWER YOUR COSTS. YOU WILL STILL END UP WITH 2 FINE REVOLVERS……

IF YOU NEED TO SELL THEM, DO IT BEFORE YOU SHOOT THEM. IF YOU RUN INTO A PERSON WITH A CONNECTION TO EITHER THE VSP OR FBI, DURING THAT PERIOD, YOU MAY HAVE FOUND AN EAGER BUYER. I WOULD LIST THEM ON GUN BROKER, IN ORDER TO REACH THE WIDEST AUDIENCE, AND FETCH THE MOST MONEY…..

PERSONALLY, I FIND YOUR REVOLVERS VERY APPEALING, AND TASTEFULLY DONE--NO GOLD INLAYS OR GARISH ORNAMENTATION. I WOULD BE PROUD TO OWN THEM---AND SHOOT THEM. I AM NOT A COLLECTOR--AND THESE 2 HAVE LITTLE COLLECTOR APPEAL. THEY WOULD BE OF GREAT VALUE, AS ALL FINE S&W REVOLVERS ARE, AND PROVIDE MUCH ENJOYMENT TO A SHOOTER, HOWEVER.…..

WELCOME TO THE FORUM, AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR REVOLVERS…..

 

[damienph]

If they are not in 100% perfect condition they are worth less than a standard model in same condition. That is if a buyer can be found. Most people don't want them in any condition.

Huh!? Don't want them in any condition? I can't agree with that. They are certainly worth no less than the standard models without the commemorative engraving. They both have as much shooter value as a standard model. I am no fan of commemoratives but these revolvers certainly have value.