29-2....I need a value please....and kinda quick???

[COCONUTS]

I purchased a 29-2 Nickel 8 3/8 in a presentation box....


2 things have happened....

I received the revolver Saturday and the plastic lower vacuum molded flocked piece is now cracked from the seller shipping it in the presentation box ( BIG BUMMER!)

I take the revolver home from my FFL disappointed only to take of the grips to clean it and it's marked "RE" ( BIG BIGGER BIGGEST BUMMER!)

Seller will take the revolver back and resell....


What is this 29-2 worth...

I have a 29-3 as a shooter and I've worn it out.....maybe this would be the replacement for the 3....if the price were right...

What would this revolver be worth?

Also....

Looks like some moisture has stained the nickel under the grips on both sides as well.

I cleaned it with a micro fiber cloth, but don't want to get aggressive as the dealer is willing to take it back...

But I'll still be out the transfer and the shipping to return it....

DAMN!

Any reply from you guys would be appreciated.

 

[Texas Roots]

I think most of us have very high expectations of the guns we purchase over the internet or otherwise. Speaking for myself, when my expectations are not met, I'm disappointed. You feel bad, I know, but there is just too much that can go wrong and that you can't control.

I buy two or three firearms per year. I don't buy new guns; I like used ones.

I like no-lock S&W's, Ruger Three-Screw Blackhawks, Winchester SuperX-1's, everything that's long out of production.

Therefore, I keep my expectations low, so when I finally get the gun, and, I do, usually, find a lot wrong with every one, I'm not disappointed.
I put my creative gifts to work......I replace a few parts, polish up the finish, refinish a stock here and there, and go shoot the darn thing and enjoy it.....

Hows the liner in the box going to help or hurt the way the gun shoots? For my experience, the presentation box was the most useless accessory that was ever offered!!!! If you want a perfect finish on a gun, you'd better buy a new gun, and even then, you're likely to be disappointed.

If it has a good bore and cylinders, has a good barrel to cylinder gap, locks up reasonably well, why not keep it and shoot it?

No offense intended here. Just giving you my $.02 worth.

Life is just too short!

 

[s3dcor]

Values vary accross the country. I checked current auctions on Gun Broker and found 3 used in the $650 range and one NIB with presentation case for $1000. The SCSW shows $700 in excellent condition. I would think that a refinish would lower the value and the presentation box is nice but wouldn't raise the value much.

I think sending it back is the best idea.

 

[COCONUTS]

Thanks for the replies...

I have those GB revolvers in my watch list...

I paid what I considered was a premium for the revolver I got.

I could use a new shooter, but I passed on the same gun here on the forum last week for $850 and the seller said it only had 20 rounds shot through it's entire life. I paid a little less than $850...but not much.

The dealer is willing to work with me and I think that's admirable!

The revolver was a consignment item and they didn't check under the grips as I did yesterday only to find a "RE" stamp. They assumed it was a mint low mileage revolver as I did when I purchased it.

I had called before purchasing the revolver and did ask if it were refinished and was told it wasn't.

I just need a fair price if I decide to keep it as a shooter.

Thanks

 

[COCONUTS]

I think most of us have very high expectations of the guns we purchase over the internet or otherwise. Speaking for myself, when my expectations are not met, I'm disappointed. You feel bad, I know, but there is just too much that can go wrong and that you can't control.

I buy two or three firearms per year. I don't buy new guns; I like used ones.

I like no-lock S&W's, Ruger Three-Screw Blackhawks, Winchester SuperX-1's, everything that's long out of production.

Therefore, I keep my expectations low, so when I finally get the gun, and, I do, usually, find a lot wrong with every one, I'm not disappointed.
I put my creative gifts to work......I replace a few parts, polish up the finish, refinish a stock here and there, and go shoot the darn thing and enjoy it.....

Hows the liner in the box going to help or hurt the way the gun shoots? For my experience, the presentation box was the most useless accessory that was ever offered!!!! If you want a perfect finish on a gun, you'd better buy a new gun, and even then, you're likely to be disappointed.

If it has a good bore and cylinders, has a good barrel to cylinder gap, locks up reasonably well, why not keep it and shoot it?

No offense intended here. Just giving you my $.02 worth.

Life is just too short!

I appreciate your reply and understand where your at with this topic.

I didn't purchase this revolver to shoot. I had sold another rifle recently (weatherby mark v) and just wanted to purchase something I enjoyed even if just looking at now and then and then being able to leave it to my grandson down the road a piece. If I could take this revolver (at a fair price considering the refinish) to the range every couple of months and enjoy shooting it...so be it.

I just needed an experts opinion as to a "fair" value for the revolver in my hands now as I'll be out the shipping costs along with the FFL transfer fee as it is. If I return it.



So just a price on a Model 29-2 8 3/8" Nickel in 95+% condition that is refinished by the factory is all I need.

Thanks.

 

[Texas Roots]

Coconuts, very sorry to have gotten carried away with my own perspective. I should be more careful and read the original post.

I believe a 29-2 that has been factory renickeled but with a few blemishes but still one that is fit up at least fairly tightly and has no other problems should fetch between $550.00 and $600.00 on the retail market.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

 

[parts]

Coconuts, are you sure the RE stands for the gun being refinished? Usually if a gun has been factory refinished, the marks are RB (for blue) and RN (for nickel).

I've been told by knowledgeable folks that the RE mark means the gun was rerouted to the fitting department for minor repairs/adjustments before it left the factory.

Maybe the expects can help clarify this for all of us.

David
2168

 

[jimmyj]

With your expectations: Return the revolver for a refund and then purchase a "Collector's Grade" Model 29-2.

 

[old bear]

No sarcasm indented, but it sounds as Jimmy is correct, and you really want a "safe queen" quality M-29. So return it and keep on looking and saving for what you really want. Life is too short to settle for less than you want.

 

[thedane]

In Supica & Nahas' book on S&W firearms, there is a section on refinishing. None of the codes they mention show 'RE' as factory refinished. Maybe some of the other experts on the forum can tell you what that means.

The factory liners crack on a regular basis. They can be restored, but it's a pain.

Metal polish such as Flitz, Simichrome or some other may clean up the discoloration. They are all about the same. If you want to negotiate with the dealer, ask if he minds if you try the metal polish. It may fix that problem.

I recently bought a 4" Nickel 27-2. It was advertised as having micro scratches, which it did. I cleaned it up with metal polish and it looks great (micro scratches gone) with the exception of a couple of pits. But, I bought it as a shooter.

You didn't mention the condition of the rest of the gun, paperwork included etc. If you polish it with metal polish and it shines like the sun and the 'RE' doesn't mean refinished and the staining under the grips disappears, what do you think?

If you really think it's just a shooter in 95% condition the 30 year Anniversary Blue Book lists it at $600, 98% $700. Offer the dealer what you will be happy paying. If you're not happy with the negotiations and price send it back.

 

[Nightowl]

I'm not sure when the factory stopped marking dates and R-N guns that were refinished but it was around the early '70's or earlier, if I recall. Look for other sighns of a refinish, such as dished screwholes, sideplate fit, etc. Perhaps someone else will know if they stopped staming a refinish and dates about the same time.

 

[COCONUTS]

In Supica & Nahas' book on S&W firearms, there is a section on refinishing. None of the codes they mention show 'RE' as factory refinished. Maybe some of the other experts on the forum can tell you what that means.

The factory liners crack on a regular basis. They can be restored, but it's a pain.

Metal polish such as Flitz, Simichrome or some other may clean up the discoloration. They are all about the same. If you want to negotiate with the dealer, ask if he minds if you try the metal polish. It may fix that problem.

I recently bought a 4" Nickel 27-2. It was advertised as having micro scratches, which it did. I cleaned it up with metal polish and it looks great (micro scratches gone) with the exception of a couple of pits. But, I bought it as a shooter.

You didn't mention the condition of the rest of the gun, paperwork included etc. If you polish it with metal polish and it shines like the sun and the 'RE' doesn't mean refinished and the staining under the grips disappears, what do you think?

If you really think it's just a shooter in 95% condition the 30 year Anniversary Blue Book lists it at $600, 98% $700. Offer the dealer what you will be happy paying. If you're not happy with the negotiations and price send it back.

Thanks for the info. I have the Flitz ready.

I have read the RE stamp refers to factory refinish and if I didn't read it here, I don't know where I could have read it?

With the stains under the grips, the broken box, and the RE stamp. I think $550-$600 is where I'd like to be on this one.

When I asked the seller what the RE stamp meant, he told me that it was refinished and they deal in "Collector" grade guns.

I will know today what the price reduction will be and I will post photos later if I end up not returning it.

As far as the Presentation Box not being worth a lot or not important.....that was the appeal of it for me. e-bay has a 29-2 box going on right now at $130 with almost 9 days left in the auction. Somebody must like them other than me. They all sell fast here and on other sites.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[thedane]

One of the members here, JCELECT, refinishes/repairs liners. If you keep it, he can help you out.

 

[COCONUTS]

One of the members here, JCELECT, refinishes/repairs liners. If you keep it, he can help you out.

That's good to know...

Thanks for the referral.

I appreciate it.

 

[COCONUTS]

I realise that Nickel revolvers aren't everybody's cup of tea, and presentation boxes don't make the gun any better.

I'm now in my 60's and walk with a cane.

I got into collecting rare AK's and AR's for awhile 15-20 years ago and had a bunch of beautiful scoped hunting rifles and nice shotguns. I can't even shoot a rifle anymore because of my disabilities and always admired the pristine older smiths revolvers.

So I have been selling off my long guns here and there and have been able to pay this years real estate taxes along with purchasing a couple of safe queens that I will be proud to leave my family down the road. I do own some well worn favorite revolvers that I still get to shoot at the range now and then.

I appreciate the valued expertise advice I asked for and will still pursue a few 99%+ or NIB Smith revolvers I had a long time ago or never could afford back then. That's fun enough for me.