All this 39-2 talk...Update:It's a Model 59

[7tenz]

OK, I'll try to make this as long, drawn out, and overly dramatic as possible. I don't know if the gun is even a 39-2, possibly nickel plated, maybe unfired. I had a blue one late 70's-early 80's.

Last week I was walking my dogs on a business property next door and ran into the owner. I was carrying my 1006 and he was curious so I showed it to him. He mentioned he had a smith that somewhat resembled my 1006 but smaller and had the shiney finish. After a discussion I thought it might be a 39-2 in nickel. He actually didn't know. I asked to see it sometimes and he said ok. He wnet on vacation for a week and today I ran into him again and reminded him I'd like to see it, may get to do that sometimes this weekend.

So given my assumption that it is a 39-2, unfired, nickel, box, wrapped in S&W paper, owner's manual, cleaning rod and all the stuff. What would be a fair price to offer for it?

I apologize for the vagueness of this, but darn it, my heart is going pitter-patter at the thought of owning such a beaut.

Update:It's an unfired Model 59 in nickel with all that came with it, box, etc. I told him I was going to offer to buy it if it was a 39, and he said his boys already want it. My German 226 fits that niche nicely anyway.

 

[mauser9]

My opinion if in new unfired condition with box $600-650. Wish I knew how many were made in nickel. Maybe TTSH will shed some more light on the subject.

 

[stansdds]

If it really is a factory nickel plated 39-2, NIB, everything present, and unfired... hate to say this... but in my opinion, that would be a collector's piece. Around here, something like that would be listed around $800, but $700 would be a more reasonable price. Seeing as how you are in California... add more $$$$.

 

[TTSH]

My opinion if in new unfired condition with box $600-650. Wish I knew how many were made in nickel. Maybe TTSH will shed some more light on the subject.

Yeah, it's worth a bundle (on GB or here) if it is truly an unfired, undamaged "time capsule" gun waiting to be discovered. Then add the California premium on top of that? Holy cow!

It could go for almost anything on GB if a bidding war gets going... but the OP is asking a different question... i.e., what would be a "fair price" for him to offer for it. That's a tougher question... almost a moral question... and especially so in a crazy restricted/over-regulated place like CA

I wouldn't feel right offering anything less than $600.00 for the gun (if as described) in the location and under the circumstances mentioned. Where I'd go from there would depend on things we can't know. Anything less would be a gift from the seller... anything much more and you had better be a serious collector or prepared to auction off the gun on GB.

 

[7tenz]

If it really is a factory nickel plated 39-2, NIB, everything present, and unfired... hate to say this... but in my opinion, that would be a collector's piece. Around here, something like that would be listed around $800, but $700 would be a more reasonable price. Seeing as how you are in California... add more $$$$.

I am considering CA and yes I would add 150-200 maybe. He is also a good friend and that is worth a lot to me too. I want to note I made some assumptions here. He did mention the box and wrapped in the paper.

 

[7tenz]

Yeah, it's worth a bundle (on GB or here) if it is truly an unfired, undamaged "time capsule" gun waiting to be discovered. Then add the California premium on top of that? Holy cow!

It could go for almost anything on GB if a bidding war gets going... but the OP is asking a different question... i.e., what would be a "fair price" for him to offer for it. That's a tougher question... almost a moral question... and especially so in a crazy restricted/over-regulated place like CA

I wouldn't feel right offering anything less than $600.00 for the gun (if as described) in the location and under the circumstances mentioned. Where I'd go from there would depend on things we can't know. Anything less would be a gift from the seller... anything much more and you had better be a serious collector or prepared to auction off the gun on GB.

As they say on Antiques Road Show, "But I won't sell it..." It's nostalgic. The blue 39-2 I had way-back-when was my first decent quality auto that got me into the gun culture. IIRC I had one gun at a time, S&W 22lr revolver, Ruger Police Service 6, then a Sterling 22lr. Kinda took off after the 39.

 

[TTSH]

I am considering CA and yes I would add 150-200 maybe. He is also a good friend and that is worth a lot to me too. I want to note I made some assumptions here. He did mention the box and wrapped in the paper.

As they say on Antiques Road Show, "But I won't sell it..." It's nostalgic. The blue 39-2 I had way-back-when was my first decent quality auto that got me into the gun culture. IIRC I had one gun at a time, S&W 22lr revolver, Ruger Police Service 6, then a Sterling 22lr. Kinda took off after the 39.

There are a lot of guns I'd like to own that go on GB for way more than I can afford and a lot more than what I think they're worth (or worth to me). Just because a gun in a bidding war goes for super-megabucks on GB doesn't mean I should be willing to pay that much. It would be crazy.

It also doesn't mean that I should expect to get that kind of money for a gun I happen to own unless I'm going to go on GB and do my very best to get that much! And expecting a good friend to pay me a GB bidding war price for a gun I own would be absurd in the extreme.

But what does a friend sell to a friend for? That's a complicated question. There are likely other factors and considerations at play here.

In other words, it's impossible for us to say you should offer (initially)... and what you should ultimately be willing to pay... for you to both walk away satisfied and happy.

 

[7tenz]

Friendship can complicate things for sure. I did initially tell him I couldn't figure out why the 39 doesn't get the collector value I personally think it deserves though.

 

[TTSH]

Friendship can complicate things for sure. I did initially tell him I couldn't figure out why the 39 doesn't get the collector value I personally think it deserves though.

Nothing wrong with being truthful... just so long as the friend is not expecting a GB bidder war windfall.

The truth is that I've been jousting with a near lifelong friend for years now over a particular very-high-value gun with many accessories that he owns. It hasn't been easy!

He has actually lowballed me (in my opinion), but I won't take it because I know the price is not even close to being fair... ... but on the other hand, I can't actually afford to pay him what the gun is really worth.

Someday, we may meet in a comfortable middle ground where we both come out happy, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[mauser9]

Nothing wrong with being truthful... just so long as the friend is not expecting a GB bidder war windfall.

The truth is that I've been jousting with a near lifelong friend for years now over a particular very-high-value gun with many accessories that he owns. It hasn't been easy!

He has actually lowballed me (in my opinion), but I won't take it because I know the price is not even close to being fair... ... but on the other hand, I can't actually afford to pay him what the gun is really worth.

Someday, we may meet in a comfortable middle ground where we both come out happy, but I'm not holding my breath.

Yeah might have been a bit low on my "value price" of $650 but was considering a private purchase deal. Gunbroker prices are often quite shocking and over the hill. Would not be surprised to see an NIB nickel 39 go for around $1000.

 

[7tenz]

Yeah might have been a bit low on my "value price" of $650 but was considering a private purchase deal. Gunbroker prices are often quite shocking and over the hill. Would not be surprised to see an NIB nickel 39 go for around $1000.

I have seen blue 39s here and there over the years and passed them up. One was owned by a former co-worker who had an ffl working part time in a pawn shop. He said he couldn't sell it to me because of some obscure CA law that I had trouble wrapping my head around, like most of our idiotic laws are anyway.

If all this falls through I still have my German 226/15rnd mags and Ladysmith 3913, oh yea, a Colt All American 2000. I can't believe the 2000 has collector value but the 39 don't, but then again, Colt.

 

[7tenz]

Nothing wrong with being truthful... just so long as the friend is not expecting a GB bidder war windfall.

The truth is that I've been jousting with a near lifelong friend for years now over a particular very-high-value gun with many accessories that he owns. It hasn't been easy!

He has actually lowballed me (in my opinion), but I won't take it because I know the price is not even close to being fair... ... but on the other hand, I can't actually afford to pay him what the gun is really worth.

Someday, we may meet in a comfortable middle ground where we both come out happy, but I'm not holding my breath.

That reminds me, I have to consider his three gunny sons who he would just give it to them before he sells it to me. Couldn't hold it against him for that.

 

[TTSH]

That reminds me, I have to consider his three gunny sons who he would just give it to them before he sells it to me. Couldn't hold it against him for that.

So many factors enter into it. This is just one more. It does make you wonder if any of the sons have requested it... or perhaps all three want it and that's the problem he wants to solve by selling it!

Sure doesn't lower the likely selling price. Too many gun hobbyists in the family. This is getting complicated!

 

[BAM-BAM]

IIRC someone here posted that there were close to 350,000-400,000 39- s made over the years........1954 to early 80s.....1982 (?)

Not exactly rare.........................


Also as mentioned ...... you're talking "friends and family" pricing which is often offered to make sure a gun goes to a friend/good home ..... not just becoming trading fodder.

 

[TTSH]

If all this falls through I still have my German 226/15rnd mags and Ladysmith 3913, oh yea, a Colt All American 2000. I can't believe the 2000 has collector value but the 39 don't, but then again, Colt.

I wouldn't mind owning a Colt 2000. That's a rather unique and curious piece of history there. They sure do command a whole lot of money at our local shows.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. bam, as relayed to me by a factory letter from Mr. Jinks.
Between 1954-1982 there were 347,551 9mm automatics in the 39 series manufactured. Rare? No. They were designed and sold as a working gun.
There were no collectables back then. I sold a lot of them to LEO and Federal agents. There are some interesting variations that pop up.

 

[7tenz]

I wouldn't mind owning a Colt 2000. That's a rather unique and curious piece of history there. They sure do command a whole lot of money at our local shows.

One thing to remember is to not use oil on the rollers. Really destroys the trigger pull. I cleaned mine out and applied dry Teflon and it works great.

 

[TTSH]

One thing to remember is to not use oil on the rollers. Really destroys the trigger pull. I cleaned mine out and applied dry Teflon and it works great.

I consider it one of the most interesting & collectible handgun oddities of our generation... Colt's Edsel! Unfortunately, the local dealer that has one for sale wants a king's ransom for it. Just because a handgun design isn't successful (or is a complete failure) doesn't mean that you can buy one cheap today!

Update: It's an unfired Model 59 in nickel with all that came with it, box, etc. I told him I was going to offer to buy it if it was a 39, and he said his boys already want it. My German 226 fits that niche nicely anyway.

Oh no!!! Say it isn't so!!!

Well, you just saved yourself some money... and we had a good discussion. It could have ended worse.

 

[mbliss57]

I bought one in 2012 for $400. It was from a seller who had bought several mid 1970s guns and truly time capsuled them. I actually bought this Nickel 59 1st off of GB then I found out about his Model 39-2, 4" Model 29-2, Model 25 in 45LC, The model 29-2 came with the presentation case still in original shipping sleeve.The 29-2 4" I believe I paid him $800. Those were the days!