686 Commemorative

[Chieflawdawg]

I picked up a Smith 686 4" today and it has the NC Law Enforcement Officer's Association seal on the frame and "25th Anniversary 1972-1987" on the barrel. Does anyone have any information or value on this piece? Thanks in advance.

 

[colt_saa]

Hard to estimate value with no comment on condition, box, paperwork, etc

Here is the big picture:
Unless you are part of what was commemorated or admire what was commemorated, a 686 with some additional rollmarks is worth what any used 686 is worth

However, if it is significantly embellished (hand engraved, gold inlaid, Ivory stocks, special case, etc.), that is a different story.

​

The added value is in the embellishment, not what was commemorated.

 

[Chieflawdawg]

Thanks. Condition is XF but no box or paperwork. Old owner said it had been stored in safe for past 20 years. Guess that it will go in my safe for another 20 (hope anyway).

 

[kaaskop49]

Thanks. Condition is XF but no box or paperwork. Old owner said it had been stored in safe for past 20 years. Guess that it will go in my safe for another 20 (hope anyway).

Hey partner, how you doin'? I have 2 such guns, both cased 66s (cop commemoratives) bought absolutely LNIB. Like yours, they had apparently lain in a safe. My thought on your 686: shoot it. I shoot mine, know how to take care of a revolver, and the guns love me for it!

Stay safe, check your 6. Retired or active, getting uglier out there.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[bananaman]

Thanks. Condition is XF but no box or paperwork. Old owner said it had been stored in safe for past 20 years. Guess that it will go in my safe for another 20 (hope anyway).

Based on your information, it is not high dollar for the inscription. It has been fired, and like you said, no box or papers. To the RIGHT person, it may have extra value. If it were mine, it would be going to the range! I have a 586 no dash, 4", and a 686-3, 6". Both are a pleasure to shoot. Enjoy your 686! Bob

 

[sodacan]

It's not worth what you think it is, nor what you want it to be. Commemoratives generally don't have much added value. If it was a highly engraved presentation model given to a noted person to mark a special event it could be something special. Law enforcement gun collectors would rather have an agency marked, used gun, and those would be worth more than a commemorative model.

 

[ken158]

You have been given good info regarding your commerative. Once fired, the bottom falls out of the value. Few commeratives retain retail value or appreciate. The few that come to mind that are sought after are Texas Ranger and Elmer Keith. PD type commeratives mean something to members of that organization or cop stuff collectors but usually the supply is well more than the demand. I took a FBI commerative on a trade thinking it would be a hot item but it took 2 years to sell it at no more value than a regular model 27 and it went to a new agent who saw one or heard about it at the training academy.

 

[Gunhacker]

With commemoratives, condition is paramount... if it's not pristine, then to a purist than would pay top dollar, it is nothing more than just another gun. To those of us that accumulate/collect "special interest" guns, depending on what it is, paying a premium is not unheard... for the right gun.

Commemoratives either were commissioned with S&W and made that way at the factory, or they were regular production guns that were embellished after they left the factory, usual by a distributor. Most LE "commemoratives" are the latter, offered up by a distributor as a "service" to an law enforcement agency or police officers association wanting to hallmark something special, and so it becomes really subjective regarding their worth as a "commemorative".

For example, I have a 586 BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Police commemorative... most people would go huh? Who and what the heck is BART, and why would anyone want that or pay anything extra for it.

Well, it garnered my interest because it's a local agency in the SF Bay area where I live. The BART Police are unique... and so is the gun, which is a 4" barrel blued 586 with a nickel side plate with BART PD insignia.

At the minimum, it's a desirable 4" 586, I paid a little extra for the cool side plate... would anyone else have? Maybe... but it's kind of what these PD commemoratives boils down to, if it floats your boat, that's all that matters and don't expect any extra value solely by virtue of it being a commemorative.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

That's different. I've never seen a blue gun with a nickel side plate.

 

[Walky Talki]

Hard to estimate value with no comment on condition, box, paperwork, etc

Here is the big picture:
Unless you are part of what was commemorated or admire what was commemorated, a 686 with some additional rollmarks is worth what any used 686 is worth

However, if it is significantly embellished (hand engraved, gold inlaid, Ivory stocks, special case, etc.), that is a different story.

​

The added value is in the embellishment, not what was commemorated.

That's a 686?