Help appraising and figuring this piece out
- Thread starter ocguns
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Welcome back. You can consign it to a reputable dealer, who will charge a percentage of the sales price. The more roundabout way is to do your own research, or have it appraised, and setting your own sales price. Several dealers will put a consignment gun on auction starting at a penny opening bid, and let enlightened self-interest of buyers set the price.
Did you ever find out how long it has been in your family? Personally I would have a hard time selling a long-term heirloom (20 years with you and longer with your great-uncle). Good luck in your decision.
Did you ever find out how long it has been in your family? Personally I would have a hard time selling a long-term heirloom (20 years with you and longer with your great-uncle). Good luck in your decision.
I could recommend David Carroll of Woodlawn Boys. He lists on Gunbroker, and is very respected as a dealer. His contact is [email protected]
opoefc
US Veteran
ocguns, If you want to sell the gun, whether privately or in an online auction, I would suggest you get a factory historical letter from the Smith& Wesson Historical Foundation ( there's a link on the Forum to the letter application form ) as the letter will add to the gun's provenance as to whether it is a military issued gun or a civilian model. I see no indication on the stocks of ever having a cartouche ( military acceptance stamp ) Granted, over time these cartouches can were off, but usually you can see a remnant. A small number of 2nd model Schofields are listed in the shipping records, by serial number, as civilian sales. Should your gun letter as a civilian model it's many times rarer than a military model and more valuable. Civilian models were stamped with the US on the butt, so the US stamp, which was applied on all frames early in production before some guns were diverted to civilian production, does not guarantee the gun as military. Likewise for various inspectors stamps on the parts, as civilian shipped guns were made from military parts to start, but did not receive the final inspector's stamp - the grip cartouches. The current auction market on these guns is weaker than it has been, as are all antique firearms, but recent sales are in the hammer price of $3000 -$3500 range for specimens in the condition of yours (Add about 20% for out the door cost ) If the gun letters as a civilian, add 25%. Also, if you list it with an auction, be very specific in the written listing contract as to how you want the gun priced and described. Insist on a reserve minimum of at least $3,000, and a description written by a Schofield expert. If it were my gun, I would not agree to more than a 15% seller's commission. Ed.
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And here is the link to the letter request Ed mentioned:
http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf
http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf
Oh baby! That will cover the mortgage payment for a few months!! What a great find. And what a way to get our attention with your first post!
If it belonged to a family member you can't really set a value, that fact makes it priceless. Keep in mind, the other "collector" guns in your possession you may prize more can always be replaced, you cannot replace something like this with family history.
You are receiving sound advice in this thread, a S&W letter should be first and foremost in your quest to gain knowledge and ascertain value. I would thoroughly educate myself as to the history of the pistol and your family history before making the decision to sell.
Good luck.
If it belonged to a family member you can't really set a value, that fact makes it priceless. Keep in mind, the other "collector" guns in your possession you may prize more can always be replaced, you cannot replace something like this with family history.
You are receiving sound advice in this thread, a S&W letter should be first and foremost in your quest to gain knowledge and ascertain value. I would thoroughly educate myself as to the history of the pistol and your family history before making the decision to sell.
Good luck.
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Ditto on the suggestion for David Carroll. He's a top-notch guy and will always give a fair and honest appraisal.
I wish there had been a Schofield revolver in my family.
mike
I wish there had been a Schofield revolver in my family.
mike
