Estimated value?

[Fishinfool]

A fine revolver you have there. Forgive me if I am stepping out of line here, but since you repeatedly bring it up it does appear to be an issue for you.

Honestly, as per your writings it seems your FIL has no interest in the gun, or its family history. It also seems he is dead set against letting you or any other family member acquire the gun. He is willing to sell it to a stranger, after you research a value for him, but not to you?

Frankly, I would offer him a grand for it, and if he refuses, then return it, and wash my hands of it.

Larry

 

[Jasper850]

I don’t feel that you crossed a line. I get it. We debated that. But it’s not something I would have much interest in regularly. Now after the research and the deep dive down the rabbit hole. I find it to be a very cool, very interesting piece of history (which is one of my major weaknesses). In all honestly if it were to be gifted to his son or my son it would eventually be sold and I doubt they would take the time to do the research and appreciate the history involved. Neither of the 2 of them are into firearms either. So with that being the case, I will continue to make an effort to assist him in the sale. As much as I feel it’s a wicked cool piece, aside from living in my safe, neglected, it wouldn’t serve the purpose in my possession that it would an actual lover/collector of firearms. Unfortunately as much sense as this makes to me, some may disagree. I think wheel guns are very interesting, they serve a purpose, and are some of the coolest/most reliable guns produced. But with my service history and passion for shooting and owning things with a specific purpose in mind I’m just don’t know where something with this kind of history fits in my very small “collection”. It is not something that would have interested me much at all 2 weeks ago. But alas the research definitely has peaked my curiosity. Who knows, I may find myself an avid collector in a few years and kick myself in the backside for this exact decision.

 

[toad67]

IMO, if you can afford it, buy it. Once you have it, just let it sit and stew awhile, while educating some other family members about it. If, after a bit, you or another family member don't want it, list it here. They are not very common, and once it's gone, you probably won't get a chance to get it back.
Very, very few people have a chance to buy a piece of history, like the one that is in front of you, especially since it was from your family.

 

[A10]

I may find myself an avid collector in a few years and kick myself in the backside for this exact decision.

Been there done that.....I could almost guarantee you won't see another prewar 6 1/2 inch HD. Lots of Outdoorsmen (comparatively) but this is honestly the first long barrel prewar HD I've seen.

You may do well putting the gun in the For Sale area here. Auctions can be iffy, you might score well or it might never sell.

JMHO....

 

[Tom K]

I don’t feel that you crossed a line. I get it. We debated that. But it’s not something I would have much interest in regularly. Now after the research and the deep dive down the rabbit hole. I find it to be a very cool, very interesting piece of history (which is one of my major weaknesses). In all honestly if it were to be gifted to his son or my son it would eventually be sold and I doubt they would take the time to do the research and appreciate the history involved. Neither of the 2 of them are into firearms either. So with that being the case, I will continue to make an effort to assist him in the sale. As much as I feel it’s a wicked cool piece, aside from living in my safe, neglected, it wouldn’t serve the purpose in my possession that it would an actual lover/collector of firearms. Unfortunately as much sense as this makes to me, some may disagree. I think wheel guns are very interesting, they serve a purpose, and are some of the coolest/most reliable guns produced. But with my service history and passion for shooting and owning things with a specific purpose in mind I’m just don’t know where something with this kind of history fits in my very small “collection”. It is not something that would have interested me much at all 2 weeks ago. But alas the research definitely has peaked my curiosity. Who knows, I may find myself an avid collector in a few years and kick myself in the backside for this exact decision.

That seems entirely possible. But if you elect not to buy it, selling it via the Classified section of this forum will ensure that it likely goes to someone who will appreciate it.

One question - where is the gun located? Are you in the same state as your FIL? Depending on your particular state you may be able to buy it directly from him without any annoying paperwork, or you may have to conduct the transfer through a licensed gun dealer. There may even be a waiting period involved.

If you elect to sell it via the forum or other means to a stranger, the same caveats above apply. For instance here in the state of Oklahoma (and many others) if you sell in-state, you only need to verify that the buyer is a legal resident and not a prohibited person. Selling to an out-of-state buyer generally requires going through a dealer and having them ship it to another licensed dealer, so additional costs are incurred. Other states are more restrictive.

Anyway, great gun!

 

[Jasper850]

It is located in Florida. We are in the same state. Laws here are very similar to OK/TX minus the open carry. Any sale would more than likely require shipping and an ffl. But I also expected that. I wouldn’t expect to find a “collector” in our area unless it was military memorabilia.

 

[raljr1]

It is located in Florida. We are in the same state. Laws here are very similar to OK/TX minus the open carry. Any sale would more than likely require shipping and an ffl. But I also expected that. I wouldn’t expect to find a “collector” in our area unless it was military memorabilia.

What part of Florida? Very likely there is a collector around the corner who would be interested.

 

[Retired W4]

It is located in Florida. We are in the same state. Laws here are very similar to OK/TX minus the open carry. Any sale would more than likely require shipping and an ffl. But I also expected that. I wouldn’t expect to find a “collector” in our area unless it was military memorabilia.

I think you might be surprised by the level of desirability of the HD in your neck of the woods/swamp/beach. While it might seem like a limited market, I know there are plenty of people around you that would love to give it a new home.

If you decide to put it in the classified section here you could post the caveat, Local Transfer Only. Good luck with your decision making.

 

[serger]

No Dog in this fight but... If I were you since you got bitten
by the curiosity bug I would buy it for say $1200.00 +/- to
make your FIL happy. Then I would have it lettered. At that
point you would know the history and scratched that itch.

With gun and letter in hand if you still want to get rid of it,
add a couple hundred for your trouble and peddle it. Then
take the cash and buy ammo and liquor. The ammo to have
fun with. And the liquor to drown your sorrows from selling
this neat piece as you get your small collection of revolvers
and think about the one that got away.

 

[Truckman]

And the liquor to drown your sorrows from selling this neat piece as you get your small collection of revolvers and think about the one that got away.

I still regret the ones that got away, but I gave up the booze 47 years ago...So I just go buy more guns......Ben

 

[Wingmaster]

I have always been a gun guy. Until about 20 years ago I wasn't into revolvers. I inherited a model 19 from my father in law. I put it in the safe and didn't think much about it for about a year or two.

One day I took out the model 19 and was wiping it down and for some reason I realized it was a beautiful gun. I bought a box of ammo, took it to the range, and that was all it took.

Now, 20 years later I have quite the accumulation of S&W's.

I think you should buy it if you can and keep it a while. you can always sell it later.

 

[rocknroad]

I don’t feel that you crossed a line. I get it. We debated that. But it’s not something I would have much interest in regularly. Now after the research and the deep dive down the rabbit hole. I find it to be a very cool, very interesting piece of history (which is one of my major weaknesses). In all honestly if it were to be gifted to his son or my son it would eventually be sold and I doubt they would take the time to do the research and appreciate the history involved. Neither of the 2 of them are into firearms either. So with that being the case, I will continue to make an effort to assist him in the sale. As much as I feel it’s a wicked cool piece, aside from living in my safe, neglected, it wouldn’t serve the purpose in my possession that it would an actual lover/collector of firearms. Unfortunately as much sense as this makes to me, some may disagree. I think wheel guns are very interesting, they serve a purpose, and are some of the coolest/most reliable guns produced. But with my service history and passion for shooting and owning things with a specific purpose in mind I’m just don’t know where something with this kind of history fits in my very small “collection”. It is not something that would have interested me much at all 2 weeks ago. But alas the research definitely has peaked my curiosity. Who knows, I may find myself an avid collector in a few years and kick myself in the backside for this exact decision.

About 7 years ago, my dad passed down to me, my grandfather's 38/44 Outdoorsman. It is one of my most prized possessions.

Knowing the family and law enforcement history of the gun made me an instant "collector"...of a very small collection. Like you, I came to this forum for education on a gun I knew nothing about. I came to awe of this priceless (to me) work of steel.

My excitement for the history and sentimentality of the 38/44 has flowed down to my sons, both of which are asking I hand it down to them someday.

I shoot it almost every time I head to the range. Every time I hold those stocks and pull the trigger, it's like shaking hands with my long-passed grandfather.

I would have paid everything it's worth to procure it if my dad had not given it to me...and it would have been worth it.

These old S&W N-frames are addicting. Family provenance makes it priceless to you.

 

[oneeyedpete]

This Outdoorsman sent me down the S&W rabbit hole. I did own a model 10 that I loved, as I learned to shoot a handgun with my neighbor's service revolver as a kid. A friend insisted I buy it as he was in need of funds. I am glad I did! It is a lot of fun to shoot. I think you may regret selling it, as it has family history as well as being a rare bird. I would try shooting it before you make a decision. You may find it is an addictive gun to own!

 

[beerbelly]

Geez, give your FIL $1100, tell him you sold it to a guy in the next town over from you, and put it in your safe. It "don`t eat no hay", will just increase in value, and you`ll really appreciate it some day.

 

[sigp220.45]

If he just wants to sell it, find a place that will do it on consignment. Set the amount you want to get out of it and they will price it accordingly to get their cut. Then just wait for it to sell. The store will handle the paperwork and Pops will get a check or cash to buy what he wants. No hassles with shipping or randos meeting you somewhere to look at it.

As to value - I’d tell them I’d want to walk out with a grand. They’ll put it out for 1200-1300. It might take a while, but it will sell. You just need to find a store that sells more than black plastic stuff and is willing to do consignments.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... he believes it’s better suited going to a collector who would appreciate it more so than living in my safe and being forgotten about and then passed down again.

I agree with him.

I would suggest using the money he gets for it to take a cruise. I'm downsizing to finance our cruises. We go twice a year.

 

[Oldbird13]

If it were me, I would take the FIL shopping and let him find a nice 9mm handgun and some ammo and give him some cash and tell him you are going to keep the revolver and possibly pass it down to one of his grandkids down the road. Just my 2 cents. I'll bet after you have read all the replies here that your desire to have this gun has increased and like many members will say...they regret parting with something they had in the past. Good luck...anxious to hear "the rest of the story".

 

[gunuts]

Lots of collectors have guns just sitting in their safe (like me). Just remember the guns always go up in value like the ones sitting in my safe, not like stock market investments which are always a risk. You can't shoot, and admire your investment portfolio like you can with a historically significant firearm like this S&W. Buy it if you can!!

 

[22hipower]

Just remember the guns always go up in value. . . not like stock market investments which are always a risk.

Well, yes, sort of. We don't know that the guns we value will always increase, the next generation or three may have far different interests and see these old pieces of steel as just that. Even if they don't, do the guns in your safe beat stock market returns? Mine don't, at least not most of them. I've been selling a few over the last couple years (to make room for more), some I've had 20 years or more. While I don't think I've lost money on many of them the gains spread over years are pretty small.

The market, on the other hand has produced average annual returns of more than 8%. I bought a Colt 1911 in 2005 for $1500, sold it this year for $3850. A handsome profit, right? But averaged over the timeframe this is only 5% a year. In the market over the same period that $1500 would have become about $6500.

Buy guns because you like them or for whatever other reason leads you to do it. But as investments, they're not likely to be big winners. That said, this HD, sure, buy it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[sigp220.45]

I agree with him.

I would suggest using the money he gets for it to take a cruise. I'm downsizing to finance our cruises. We go twice a year.

This is the most sensible thing I’ve read in this forum in the last couple of years.