zodraz
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Does an "action job" by a recognized master gunsmith add a premium to the value of a handgun? I have a 14-6 that had the work done by Clark custom... is it worth more or less,all other factors being equal?
Added value or not?
- Thread starter zodraz
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It's extremely difficult for all the other factors to be equal, but in the gun trade, it's usually safe to say that if you have provenance of the work (paper work with serial numbers and/or markings on the gun itself) then the custom work may carry a slight premium, especially to a buyer who seeks that type of work, and especially if the work was done by a well known shop or gunsmith.
By and large, it will almost never bring value to the handgun that matches the cost of having that work done.
It also usually reduces the size of the pool of interested buyers. Generally, out in the world, what it MOST in demand is totally original and high condition.
The revolver you describe would likely be quite popular to this audience, it certainly is to me, but out on the gun show circuit, it would be much less popular than it is to the hardcore folks we have here.
By and large, it will almost never bring value to the handgun that matches the cost of having that work done.
It also usually reduces the size of the pool of interested buyers. Generally, out in the world, what it MOST in demand is totally original and high condition.
The revolver you describe would likely be quite popular to this audience, it certainly is to me, but out on the gun show circuit, it would be much less popular than it is to the hardcore folks we have here.
It's totally subjective.
I've owned a few "genuine" Clark guns (Colt 1911s made by Jim Sr. in the 50s & 60s), and shot many more.
Clark Custom Guns is a well known company, but there's a big difference in the nature and appeal of their work depending on if it is by current management or if it was done while Jim Sr. ran the shop. Jim Sr. has a small cult following. The gun would need to be marked in some way to prove the provenance, preferably with related paperwork, test target, etc.
Keep in mind that a LOT of Clark custom guns have led a hard life of competitive shooting measured in the thousands to hundreds of thousands of rounds fired. A surprising number of competitive shooters are quite negligent, almost abusive, towards their guns for some reason.
A worn-out or beat-up gun, custom or not, is not exactly a hot commodity unless owned by someone famous.
Also, depends on the type of work: from general tune-up to some type of far-out competition build. The latter might've cost more but the niche market is much smaller.
One thing that is generally a good rule of thumb is that the initial cost of custom work, regardless of the gunsmith, is rarely recouped when resold.
But, to answer your question, a 14-6 is a pretty generic, vanilla flavored variant**. Collectors aren't searching for them. So, high quality custom work, supported by documentation, could be a plus to someone who wants a shooter.
Here's a guestimate for you: take the honest "street price" of a 14-6, and add perhaps 50-75% of the current cost of the document supported custom work, assuming your gun is in exc.-mint condition.
**(see my follow-up post below! No offense intended!)
I've owned a few "genuine" Clark guns (Colt 1911s made by Jim Sr. in the 50s & 60s), and shot many more.
Clark Custom Guns is a well known company, but there's a big difference in the nature and appeal of their work depending on if it is by current management or if it was done while Jim Sr. ran the shop. Jim Sr. has a small cult following. The gun would need to be marked in some way to prove the provenance, preferably with related paperwork, test target, etc.
Keep in mind that a LOT of Clark custom guns have led a hard life of competitive shooting measured in the thousands to hundreds of thousands of rounds fired. A surprising number of competitive shooters are quite negligent, almost abusive, towards their guns for some reason.
A worn-out or beat-up gun, custom or not, is not exactly a hot commodity unless owned by someone famous.
Also, depends on the type of work: from general tune-up to some type of far-out competition build. The latter might've cost more but the niche market is much smaller.
One thing that is generally a good rule of thumb is that the initial cost of custom work, regardless of the gunsmith, is rarely recouped when resold.
But, to answer your question, a 14-6 is a pretty generic, vanilla flavored variant**. Collectors aren't searching for them. So, high quality custom work, supported by documentation, could be a plus to someone who wants a shooter.
Here's a guestimate for you: take the honest "street price" of a 14-6, and add perhaps 50-75% of the current cost of the document supported custom work, assuming your gun is in exc.-mint condition.
**(see my follow-up post below! No offense intended!)
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To be fair, it is neither generic nor vanilla. While S&W produced mountains of the 14-3 and countless zillions of other excellent Model 14's… the 14-5 and 14-6 have the full lug barrel and it was made in scant numbers compared to the sheer volume of Model 14's across decades.
Yes, I stand corrected.
My thinking was simply based on a long standing fondness for the classic perfection of the K-38 Masterpiece.
Thanks!!
(PS: I really like vanilla!)
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SGT ROCK 11B
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Was it well maintained by the previous owner or rode hard and put away wet?
swagmeister
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I have been a customer at Clark Custom Guns for 50+ years, beginning when they were located in the log cabin in Keithville, Louisiana, and currently live 15 miles from the shop in Princeton, Louisiana. Both of the Clarks were fine men and very fair in their dealings with individuals and how they conducted their business. I have owned probably about 50-60 handguns from them in the past but presently only own three-a Ruger Security 6 4" .357 that Jim, Sr. did an action job on in in the late 1980's, a 1943 Ithaca 1911.45 that Jim, Sr. accurized in October, 1961, and a S&W Model 14 that Jim, Jr. personally owned and used in Bianchi Cup Matches in the 1970's and 1980's that he sold me in 2015 approximately 6 months before his untimely death. I have downsized considerably in the past few years due to old age and a fixed income. In regards to added value of your firearm due to work done on it by Clark, you probably will have to find an older individual familiar with what you have that is willing to pay a little more for it. These days most younger shooters have never heard of Clark and when you mention that name, they just look at you with a blank stare and ask "who?" As far as dealers in gun shops and dealers at gunshows, when you show them a Clark worked on revolver or any other named gunsmith who worked on a revolver, they usually say it adds no value because it is not in an original condition anymore. But when they do obtain one and put it out for sale, they make a big deal and throw the name around to add a premium amount to the sale price. After many years of dealing, trading, buying, and selling guns, you learn the routine and how the game is played from both sides of the table. And as previously pointed out, the 14-6 is a rarely seen variation that is seldom seen for sale. I would hold onto that one. Good luck.
