.32 auto, could use help in valuation

[bigmoose]

My brother has a S&W .32 auto serial number 3xx that is darn near perfect. No holster wear, no wear on backstrap, no scratches etc. Must have spent its life in the proverbial sock drawer. I would call it 99%. No box or paperwork. He wants to sell it and use the cash for other gun purchases. He has asked for my help in selling it, as he is not too familiar with S&W's.

Any idea what this gun is worth? Should I list it here on the forum? I never see any discussion on these pistols here but am guessing there are a few guys who are very knowledgeable. I do know that less than 1000 were made according to the Blue Book.

I should be receiving some pictures of it in a few days, I will post them when I get them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gunfish]

It is worth quite a bit if condition is as you say. Low production for this model makes it desirable. It should not be sold for 250$ that would be cheap. I don't like pricing sellers guns so I won't price this one. Check auction sites for prices of similar guns (Savage 1915, Colt model M 32cal, remington model 51). The S&W is rarer and worth more. Of Course I would like to purchase it, but others do too. Good luck.

 

[DWalt]

You really should post a picture. If you have what I think you have, it's a real prize and probably worth a lot more than you think it is. Posting in the semi-auto section of this forum is strongly advised. Some of those guys would break their arm reaching for their wallet if they had the chance to buy it.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Check auction sites for prices of similar guns (Savage 1915, Colt model M 32cal, remington model 51).

I don't agree with this line of reasoning. When you have a S&W 32 auto, its no longer a pocket 32 auto made in America, but a rare collector's item. Looking at the Colt 32, they made over 500k of them so they are opposites for rarity. The Savage 1915 is the rarest of that group at once again, the common ones, 1907 and 1917 have nothing to do with the value of a S&W 32 auto. The Remington 51 was made in higher numbers as well, 65k made. Aside from S&Ws, I collect 32 autos as well.

What I'm getting at here is that the collector demand for that S&W 32 auto is greater than just about any other 32 auto. The rarity beats out nearly any 32 auto as well. Its a gun thats certainly its own study, with no parrallels to other guns noted.

Posting in the semi-auto section of this forum is strongly advised.

Maybe that would help, but he is already in the right section for "32 and 35 autos", this one.

 

[opoefc]

Sales of S&W .32 autos that I have tracked in the last few years have ranged from $900 to $2500, w/o the box. I picked up the $900 one off this Forum about 2 yrs ago, and it's a 95% gun. I would put a 99% gun in the top of the range, if it's really 99%. Ed.

 

[bigmoose]

Thanks for all the replies. I collect Remington 51's and am familiar with the values of the Savages. Obviously, the S&W is a rare bird. There is definitely an attraction to well made, concealable automatics from the earlier part of the 20th century. I think I now have a good idea what the gun should sell for. The picture below is my idea of a 98% pocket automatic, the flash does not do justice to how stunning the gun really looks...this one is in .32

 

[DWalt]

I have two 51, so I have both models. Mine are in .380. Too bad they don't make them anymore. Patton had one.

 

[Rphmann]

Thanks for all the replies. I collect Remington 51's and am familiar with the values of the Savages. Obviously, the S&W is a rare bird. There is definitely an attraction to well made, concealable automatics from the earlier part of the 20th century. I think I now have a good idea what the gun should sell for. The picture below is my idea of a 98% pocket automatic, the flash does not do justice to how stunning the gun really looks...this one is in .32

That's one beautiful 51!!!

 

[Hondo44]

I would repost it, this section is for hand ejectors which are all revolvers or just go straight to the sales section.

 

[lowhog]

You are in the correct section.This section is for 1896 to 1961 hand ejectors and .35, .32 autos.Mike

 

[Hondo44]

My brother has a S&W .32 auto serial number 3xx that is darn near perfect.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry bigmoose for the mis-steer. I missed the fine print.

 

[bigmoose]

After 2 weeks here on the forum classifieds with no interest, I moved the listing to GunsAmerica. The pistol has sold, and if there is a forum member who tracks prices, pm me for info regarding sale.