Commemorative guns

[lppd4]

What are yall's thoughts on commemorative guns? I have a Texas Ranger commemorative 19-3. I bought it for a shooter not as a collectible piece and the price was right. So do the commemorative guns appeal to you? complete turn off? Or doesn't matter if the price is right? I have my eye on another commemorative gun, a model 27, the price is Ok and the gun looks to be very nice

 

[Dan Zulu]

They are not my preference. If others enjoy them more power to them.

 

[rockquarry]

I don't care for commemoratives. I have two S&W Model 66 police department commemoratives in presentation boxes that I bought forty years ago. I'm sure they're worth more than I paid for them, but am also sure they are worth less generally than the same guns unadorned with commemorative features. To me, a commemorative gun that has been used as a shooter would be worth even less than an unfired commemorative. Opinions vary.

 

[jughed440]

I once had a Chicago Police commemorative model 66 that I got for cheap once the dealer realized that they're really not highly collectible.
shot it a few times (nice shooter, btw.) and then sold it off to someone who had ties with that police force.

 

[Nightowl]

From what has been previously discussed here on the Forum, is that commemorative guns are valued at the same level as a non commemorative one, unless the buyer has a special interest in it. Kinda like police guns.

I have a couple of commemorative model 27s that I have not shot. But, I just bought a 544 that was unfired outside the factory, at a reasonable price, and have shot it and will continue to do so. Actually, I bought it to shoot, and have found it a great fun gun.

Basically, its is up to you how much value the gun has to you!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Over Hyped and over priced.
First time you pull the trigger, you got a regular used gun.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have a couple commemoratives and I shoot them just like the others. Since I don't intend to sell them I couldn't care less what they are (or aren't) worth. Mr heirs can either keep them or sell them, and once again its of no concern to me what they sell them for.

 

[bigwheelzip]

A neighbor in Switzerland invited us to see his firearms collection, which was varied and extensive.
Finally, he excitedly took out presentation cases of gold-plated engraved John Wayne commemoratives and paraphernalia. He was obviously a huge Duke fan, and cherished the six-gun, Winchester, and shotgun set.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

commemorative guns

I have purchased at least six new commemorative rifles and handguns in the past 10 years. They were expensive and have never fired them and stored them as safe queens. As far as value, it is in the eye of the beholder. When it is time to sell them, the value drops dramatically when placed on consignment. I agree, if you will them to your family, then price would not be considered. This is my opinion and experienced with commemoratives. I have a few civil war ones and polish them once a year and back in the safe.

Nick

 

[RGNewell]

I traded for a Texas Ranger as a scooter mainly for the features ie. Narrow trigger guard and combat trigger. So many commemorative guns are worth less than standard for example the 125th anniversary 25-3.

 

[Old Corp]

Have very often witnessed folks who owned a commemorative/special edition/'banquet gun', etc from various sources hold the belief they very nearly held the equivalent of the Hope diamond.

It's sorta hard to break the real news to them - and very many will often get a little angry.

 

[LittleCooner]

The commemorative guns are of no interest to me. Others are entitled to their opinions and choices. I would offer less for a commemorative that I would a regular one if presented with choice of purchase and price I would offer. With the huge number of various commemoratives out there, it appears to me a move by the bean counters to sell more guns. I have regretted for years not purchasing the model 21 when they came out years ago, it was new in the box in a LGS and I could have walked out the door with a brand new 44 special and I went there to purchase it. I looked at that big gaudy gold plate on the side that said Thunderranch and I left without spending the cash in my pocket. I could have left with it for several dollars below 500 out the door, what a bargain to leave for someone else. To each his own. They are just not for me.

 

[armorer951]

Commemorative firearms don't mean much to anyone other than to those who have an emotional tie or interest in the person or entity that is honored.

I have a no dash 686 commemorative that was created to honor the 100th year of service of our local police department. It is a very nice example of the model, but doesn't signify anything special to anyone other than the officers and their families who have sacrificed and served here. Cost in 1985, $349.00

Perhaps we should all get together and do a commemorative for the forum. Any big anniversary dates approaching?

 

[colt_saa]

Many, many people (especially sellers) confuse firearms that are meant to Honor or Commemorate an event or agency with firearms that are Collectible.

There is a reason that we have two different words in the dictionary . . . Commemorative and Collectible.

Some Commemoratives achieve collectible status over time. The FBI Model 27 and the Texas Range Model 19 are both highly sought after by many Collectors

I happen to like many Commemoratives, especially those that have extra embellishments like the Deluxe Texas Ranger or the Deluxe Texas Sesquicentennial Commemorative

Most of the value of the revolvers pictured above exists because of their special embellishments, not because of what they Commemorate

As to Commemeratives that do not carry unusual embellishments, if in unfired condition, they will sometimes bring a premium over a similar model if you happen upon a person that admires what is being commemorated. However those firearms usually sell for what a good used example of that model will sell for or sometimes even less. For example the Chicago PD Model 66 that Jughed440 mentions above

Once you start shooting a Commemorative, then it is just another shooter (unless it is highly embellished), even to those that would have paid a premium for it because they admire or were part of what is being commemorated

 

[Drm50]

I've had S&W, Colt and Winchester commemoration models. I don't shoot them I sell them off to people who like that kind of stuff. The ones not to make fun of are the John Wayne models. They bring bucks. Some of the others are a joke. Some of other companies like Henry, Ruger, and those that make the military commemoratives they sell in Legion Magazine are dead losses for those that buy them. A local kid went to NRA Banquet up at Wheeling, WVa. He won a Henry 22 that had laxer engraved scene of old Wheeling and was told it was 1 of xx, I forget and was worth $3500. He felt he didn't need a $3500 22 and brought it over to me. He was very disappointed when I wasn't interested at all and told him what it was actually worth. I don't know what he had in it. If you have ever been to a NRA banquet you know what I mean. I've had guys bring in such guns from Ducks Unlimited too. Guys get a few scooter juices to many and win bid. They wake up next morning and want to sell and break even before wife finds out. I make it policy not to get involved, not even on consignment.

 

[22hipower]

I'll buy a commemorative when the price is the same or less than an equivalent standard item. Examples are the Texas Sesquicentennial Commemorative (544 in 44-40); recently bought one in 98+% for $850. How many N frame 44s in that condition can you find for that price these days? Another is the Colt 1911 commemoratives of WWI and WWII campaigns/battles. A few years ago those WWI commemoratives made in 1968 were selling for considerably less than the pre-Series 70 1911s. Same factory, same quality, lower price, seemed like a no-brainer to me. Same with a Winchester 94 Cheyenne Commemorative in 44-40 bought at the same price as a post-64 94 30-30. If the price is right the "commemorative" aspects don't bother me at all.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[sigp220.45]

I own both FBI Commemoratives (S&W 27-3 and Glock 22) because I used to work there. I've shot them both, because unfired guns seem sad to me.

I don't expect them to appreciate in value. I'll give them to my kids.

A buddy has a Winchester Legendary Lawmen commemorative which I'd love to get from him someday. 16" Model 94 with a saddle ring - what's not to like?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Basically, its is up to you how much value the gun has to you!

Interesting thread, and I agree with Nightowl, and many others.

I bought a S&W 125th when they came out. Sold it within a year for what I paid.

I've had a Wyoming 100-year commemorative Winchester and Colt SAA. Long gone, and good riddance.

I have one Chiefs Special commemorative -- it's scroll engraved and recognizes the 55th anniversary (what a weird one to acknowledge) of the Virginia State Police. Mom and my Grandmother were born in a southern Virginia plantation house -- my tie to the state.

It's a pretty little thing, and I added it to the others in my herd of oddball Chiefs without regard to what value others would put on it. I don't believe anyone else would consider most in my herd collectable, but each one holds a special meaning to me.

 

[H Richard]

Only commemorative that have a very wide interest following will have or retain any extra value above a similar standard model. The Texas Ranger is one. Most all others will have a value as a shooter, usually lower than a standard model. Most gun collectors (who know guns) are turned off by the gaudy gold wash and fake engraving.

Some of the worst are the NRA marked guns that are "won" by buying hundreds of dollars worth of tickets for drawings. They are strictly for fund raisers, and many that I have seen are not up to the quality of the standard model.

 

[GaryHK]

I shoot ALL my guns so no.

 

[double-dipper]

I have won several commemorative rifles and shotguns at DU, Pheasants Forever and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquets through the years. I find the adorned guns shoot just as good as the unadorned versions.

 

[Breakaway500]

I buy the gun not the glitter. If it happens to be a co-memorative..and not overly embellished..so be it.
Usually,the price will be less because of the "hate" for co-memoratives..which I don't really understand at all..

 

[diyj98]

I have several shops try to pass a used commemorative off at premium prices. If it's a gun that been fired, I'd actually prefer the non commemorative version. A new in box gun bought just for collecting is different, but not in a used gun.

 

[biku324]

The only commemoratives I've owned are S&W 544s, Texas Sesquicentennial Commemoratives. I bought both to shoot - try to find a double action 44-40, then try to find one with a 5" barrel, and finally find one 35 years old and unfired. Both of those I've bought (sold the first one in '13 before working overseas) and my current one were cheaper than regular N-frames in comparative condition. For the 44-40 shooters these were and are good value, even if you're not enamored of the logos.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I think it depends on the individual who buys one, and on the commemorative itself, whether they hold extra value. If the individual has some connection to what the gun commemorates, it will be worth more to him than someone without that connection.
As to the gun itself, I think it depends on several factors. Was the commemorative made available to the public from the start, or was it only available to a certain group initially? How many guns were made in the commemorative form? Seems like if only ten guns, each would have more value than if there were a thousand more like it; if a thousand, each would maybe have more value than 10, 000. Anything special about what was done to them? Nickel on a model where nickel was not otherwise available, or exceptionally rare? Plain, or highly engraved?

I own one commemorative; I bought it because it represents my state's largest law enforcement agency, The NC Highway Patrol. This commemorative has a couple of firsts; it was the first time a Model 29 was used as a commemorative. It was the first time (and so far, only) that the design on the gun was acid etched instead of engraved or roll stamped. This commemorative was issued for the 50th Anniversary of the NCHP, and that was 42 years ago (1979). Another eight years, they can add a 100th anniversary issue, maybe. The revolver used is a M29-2, a desirable pinned and recessed version, and is nickel plated, which brings a premium value to even a non-commemorative M29. There were less than 1200 made (each is individually numbered), and initially, they were only sold to currently serving State Troopers, or retirees of the NCHP. That adds a little provenance, I think, if you can discover who owned it first. (I haven't found out yet). Maybe I'm building mine up because I believe it does have a value greater than any other M29 you could have ordered back in that day. Maybe it doesn't, but I'll hang on to it and pass it along. So far as I know and can tell from close inspection, it has never been fired. There is an unsubstantiated belief among collectors of this commemorative that NCHP requested on the order for them that they not even be test fired by S&W, but that is apocryphal. I haven't decided yet whether I want to shoot it, so far I haven't.

 

[boykinlp]

What are yall's thoughts on commemorative guns? I have a Texas Ranger commemorative 19-3. I bought it for a shooter not as a collectible piece and the price was right. So do the commemorative guns appeal to you? complete turn off? Or doesn't matter if the price is right? I have my eye on another commemorative gun, a model 27, the price is Ok and the gun looks to be very nice

I think you made a good choice. Whether it was a knowledgeable choice or a lucky choice does not matter. The Texas Ranger 19-3 is one of a few of the commemorative guns that is also valued as a collectible. I have followed it some and think it increases in value each year. This is looking at sales, not asking price. And if you are lucky enough to get one of the engraved ones, they are very special. I may be wrong, but I think it was also the first commemorative gun S&W did.
Larry

 

[Alton]

I have only owned one commemorative gun and that was the John Wayne Winchester. Beautifully checkered Walnut stock that was Grade AAA? Plus I bought the scabbard, gun rack along with a Winchester clock which I still have and it still keeps perfect time. A few years ago a good friend was retiring and his wife called me and asked if she could buy it for him as a retiring gift. I didn't have the strength to say no. I came up with a price for everything including a couple boxes of shells. The only stipulation if it is ever sold it has to be sold back to me. I was shocked when I started looking up online what all the extra stuff was worth. I did keep a couple boxes of shells and today what people want for them is unbelievable.

 

[CH4]

Over Hyped and over priced.
First time you pull the trigger, you got a regular used gun.

^^^^^^^
This, the engraving is pretty cheesy and they are hard to dump, especially if they've been shot. To my mind they are worth less than an identical non-commerative version.

 

[minconrevo]

I only own one S&W commemorative, a Mod 66. The officer had shot it some and carried it a little. I bought it as a shooter. When I opened the sideplate I realized I had a job in front of me to tune it into a good shooter. It was rough. For example, it took around 8 trigger shims. I suspect S&W would take barely in spec frames and use some of them this way vs scrapping them.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Don't expect big profits

I do buy some commemoratives if they are S&Ws and I really like them. I have the Texas wagon train one because there's no other way to own a 5" N-frame in 44/40 caliber. I also have the Texas Ranger K frame and a few others but I never thought they'd be profit-makers. If they survive for say a hundred years in high condition somebody will make money.

I got a lesson in commemoratives at a local gun show. There was a grumpy sad sack dealer who seemed to have every Winchester commemorative ever made. He wanted extra money for them and rarely ever sold one. I think he gave up or passed on since I never see him.