640 'Engraved'

[THE PILGRIM]

Here's another 'Engraved ' revolver.
It's reported to be 'machine' engraved.
It's obviously not up to par compared to the model 60s shown in that other thread.
So here's my question - does this engraving add or subtract from the value?
Question no. 2 - what about those grips?
Have you ever seen like them before?

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

The engraving would add value with ME. I have seen those stocks/grips before. Maybe Altamont?? Any way it's a good looking J frame to me. And ME is all I care about when placing value.

 

[Hapworth]

The stocks indeed look like standard Altamont -- nothing special.

As for the engraving, it's hard to know what collectors will one day covet -- look at the way magna stocks used to get trashed upon opening the box and now command a nice price -- but presently I've seen these engraved 640s sit and sit and sit unsold, and I doubt that's changing anytime soon.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

One way to look at it......

Engraved guns are valued for their beauty and for the (human) hand work that goes into them -- a function of skill, time, and labor cost. A machine engraved gun would have no additional hand work in it. Therefore, how much value could there be added?

It is beauty without effort. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[italiansport]

Well: The stagecoach scene found on early Colt revolvers was "roll" engraved. Most collectors will pay a premium today if the scene is still highly visible. There was no real handiwork involved in creating this. I think any enhancement to a firearm as long as it's in good taste adds value although perhaps not initially.
Jim

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

....Most collectors will pay a premium today if the scene is still highly visible....

Collectors paying more for old guns in a higher condition.

Not surprising.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Hey guys! I working on do I want to pay $700 for this one.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Hey guys! I working on do I want to pay $700 for this one.

I think that would be at the high end of the normal price range. If you like it, though, you should buy it.

Personally, I'd prefer an unadorned gun and would look for an M640 from the early '90's. Those can be found in the $500 to $600 range without much difficulty.

The grips look similar to ones sold on S&W's web site (for something less than $100, IINM). They're attractive and kind of cool. My question is --- are they laminate or a single piece of wood?

 

[italiansport]

Collectors paying more for old guns in a higher condition.

Not surprising.

I think everyone here know collectors will pay more for a firearm in "higher condition". I was only citing this example as it's a well recognized (Not hand engraved) form of firearms enhancement.
Jim

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I think everyone here know collectors will pay more for a firearm in "higher condition". I was only citing this example as it's a well recognized (Not hand engraved) form of firearms enhancement.
Jim

Understood.

My point was collectors value a gun with a "highly viable" stage coach scene, not because of the art aspect of it, but because a gun with a well persevered viable scene is in a high condition. Otherwise, if the gun was worn and in poor condition, the scene would be obscured.

It's not surprising gun collectors would pay more for a gun in a superior condition.

 

[b_san]

Hey guys! I working on do I want to pay $700 for this one.

They're offered new in the wood case all over the place in the $700-775 range and rarely if ever sell. It seems based on the market that they really aren't a very desired piece and not surprising as they're a current offering with machine engraving with plenty produced. If you want to buy it just because you like it and want to display I'd say 5-6 max but I wouldn't expect any appreciation on the value anytime soon and if you're thinking about shooting and/or carrying it I'd just buy a regular 640.

Product: Model 640 Revolver - Machine Engraved

 

[S&W Rover]

The grips are Altamonts. These grips are typically labelled "Rosewood" or "Walnut" based on color, although they are actually made of resin impregnated birch laminate. Smith and Wesson J Frame (Small) Round Butt Revolver Grips | Altamont Company

They go for $50-$60 for J frame boot grips. I wouldn't call them "high end" but they can be impressive to look at and seem to work and fit well. S&W uses them on a number of models, particularly those made for the big distributors, and they can be had with nice S&W logos. The key thing is to realize that you may like them, and they look good on this Mdl 640, but they really do NOT add a lot of cash value to the revolver.

Engraving? I have to admit it is appealing, and I imagine it gets better looking as it smooths out a bit from being in the pocket or holster. Worth $200 or so on a Mdl 640? All depends on personal taste. I think hand-done engraving with a theme or design of personal significance would be the best... the engraving on these Mdl 640's seems awfully generic to me... but its all in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Amp]

Looks nice. Like others say if its worth the money to you, get it.
I pay more for thing that matter to me. You may not.