Another goofy "What's it worth?" thread

[gunhobbit]

S&W 3906. What are they going for these days?

Mechanically sound, adjustable sights, new grips, finish is kinda rough. Not sure what the previous owner did to it, but it's definitely "used." Nothing horrible, but it ain't gonna seem LNIB, either.

I know, pics are worth a thousand words, but for the moment I'm just looking for glittering generalities.

 

[loeman]

OK, I'll be the first to take a stab in the dark! Your comment about "rough" finish concerns me. Therefore I would say a maximum of $300.

 

[Maximumbob54]

In used but not abused condition I see them going for around $400 +/- $50.

 

[18DAI]

There were not many 3906's made. I can't recall exactly how many but I seem to remember less than 6000 examples. Of those, the fixed sight variant was the rarest, the majority made having adjustable sights.

You don't see 3906's offered for sale much............anywhere.

I saw an adjustable sight example at a gunshow in 2006. I passed on it and didn't come across another for several years. I snapped that well used fixed sight 3906 right up on sight! Paid $475 - no box no docs WELL USED. And was happy about it!

I would say anything under $500 for a 3906 in good condition is a deal. For LNIB I'd guess $575.......maybe a little more.

Like I said, there weren't many made and there won't be anymore. I love mine and would not part with it.........if my G/F had not confiscated it for her own use. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

 

[gunhobbit]

OK, I'll be the first to take a stab in the dark! Your comment about "rough" finish concerns me. Therefore I would say a maximum of $300.

It's not THAT rough!!!

But it's definitely worse than my 5906....

 

[TTSH]

...finish is kinda rough. Not sure what the previous owner did to it, but it's definitely "used." Nothing horrible, but it ain't gonna seem LNIB, either.

Your comment about "rough" finish concerns me. Therefore, I would say a maximum of $300.

It's not THAT rough!!!

Ha!!! I had a good chuckle over that exchange!

The way I see it, we have a conflict between relative rarity (a "plus") and a mysterious rough condition (a "minus").

But I believe this is an all stainless steel pistol... so I am thinking that cleaning it up may be a pretty good possibility. On that basis, I'd say $400ish. Can't see much more than that in a distressed condition.

 

[epj]

It's amazing what you can do for one of those with a scotchbrite pad and a little elbow grease.

 

[gunhobbit]

Ha!!! I had a good chuckle over that exchange!

The way I see it, we have a conflict between relative rarity (a "plus") and a mysterious rough condition (a "minus").

But I believe this is an all stainless steel pistol... so I am thinking that cleaning it up may be a pretty good possibility. On that basis, I'd say $400ish. Can't see much more than that in a distressed condition.

Geeze, you guys make it sound like it was dragged 10 miles down a gravel road!

Couldn't have been more than 2, tops!

But the scotchbrite idea is one with some merit, I agree....

 

[TTSH]

Geeze, you guys make it sound like it was dragged 10 miles down a gravel road!

Couldn't have been more than 2, tops!

But the scotchbrite idea is one with some merit, I agree....

Well, here we get into the great philosophical question: Should one base a gun's value on "where is as is"? Or should one base a gun's value on what it can possibly be restored to?

I've personally given up on buying project guns for the foreseeable future so I'm probably not the best one to place a value estimate on any sort of distressed piece, especially sight unseen. I'm paying extra for nice clean condition now and I'm much happier for it.

 

[tim c]

I base a value on a gun is how much i really want it. with in reason,but on this with out a pic i would say $400+/-

 

[tim c]

I missed out on a 1066 last night didn't get to fast enough for $569 would of paid more cause i really wanted it

 

[gunhobbit]

Well, here we get into the great philosophical question: Should one base a gun's value on "where is as is"? Or should one base a gun's value on what it can possibly be restored to?

Neither. You should base the value on what it's worth to you. "As is," "can be restored," "fills a hole in the collection perfectly," all of those play into "what is it worth?" questions. Those who are looking for an "objective" price (like myself, here) are really on fools' errands.

That said, "what is it worth" is often shorthand - or SHOULD be - for "what would you pay for this?" All the folks pointing out "sight unseen" are correct. If I get around to posting up pics, some of 'em may say "well, it doesn't look THAT bad" and up their estimates by a few bucks.

 

[TTSH]

Neither. You should base the value on what it's worth to you. "As is," "can be restored," "fills a hole in the collection perfectly," all of those play into "what is it worth?" questions. Those who are looking for an "objective" price (like myself, here) are really on fools' errands.

All that and what can the collector/accumulator in question afford to spend. We know there are some "well-heeled" 3rd Gen collectors on this site and then we know there are folks like me who must scrounge for every last penny. But as the dirt poorest 3rd Gen collector here by far, at least I provide a valuable (low end) data point!

That said, "what is it worth" is often shorthand - or SHOULD be - for "what would you pay for this?" All the folks pointing out "sight unseen" are correct. If I get around to posting up pics, some of 'em may say "well, it doesn't look THAT bad" and up their estimates by a few bucks.

A definite possibility.

Okay, I'll have to say that under the "what would you pay for this" criteria... and also sight unseen... I have to back off to about $300. Maybe $350. Yes, that is low but like I said earlier: after a couple costly mistakes, distressed and/or project guns scare me.

 

[GaryS]

I don't know if this helps, but I sold this 3904 about six weeks ago for $425.00 to a 3rd Gen accumulator in my area.

Just the gun and one magazine, nothing else. Keep in mind that the 3906 is generally more collectable than the 3904 for whatever reason.

The buyer is a shooter, not an admirer. When we met at his range he had a number of other 3rd Gens in his range bag, including a 4586 that some of us had seen at a gun show.

 

[XAVMECH]

3906, by the pound...

I had one of these - a nice example. They're a fine shooting machine, though I'd hate to have to carry one around all day.
350, well used. 500-550 LNIB.

 

[gunhobbit]

Looks like this:

 

[TTSH]

Looks like this:

So is that the gun in question? If so, it doesn't look bad at all. What am I missing here?

 

[gunhobbit]

So is that the gun in question? If so, it doesn't look bad at all. What am I missing here?

You're missing nothing. I didn't say it was BIG chunks of gravel on the 2 mile gravel road.

It's mostly little scuffing and scraping that Scotchbrite really would help with. You can see, though, the crater in the S&W logo and the small chunk under that. I have new grips for it, but didn't put 'em on, so the scruff on the grip shows up as well.

 

[BAM-BAM]

GHobbit this 3906 seems to be causing you a great deal of personal distress........ I'll PM you a shipping address so you can't put this terrible 3rd Gen. episode behind you!

As to value ...... with those horrid over sized adjustable sights... and square trigger guard ... I doubt even 18DAI wouldn't take it off your hands......................

 

[gunhobbit]

GHobbit this 3906 seems to be causing you a great deal of personal distress........ I'll PM you a shipping address so you can't put this terrible 3rd Gen. episode behind you!

As to value ...... with those horrid over sized adjustable sights... and square trigger guard ... I doubt even 18DAI wouldn't take it off your hands......................

It looks a lot better with the other slide on it, I admit.