Help with Getting a Value

[Bill1064]

I just received a S&W from my Uncle's estate. It is a S&W Model 15 Combat Master Piece, 4 screw, K Frame 38 special, SN#116,906.

Research leads me to believe produced o/a 1951. My Aunt said she thought my Uncle had it engraved either in Japan or Singapore in the early 1950's. He had the Alaska Ivory pistol grips made in 1965.

Am interested if anyone could look at the pics and give me any ballpark value of the pistol. Or conversely, a recommendation of where I might go for the same. Might want to put up for sale at some point as well.

Thanks.

 

[JP@AK]

S&W Model 15 Combat Master Piece, 4 screw, K Frame 38 special, SN#116,906.

Research leads me to believe produced o/a 1951.

The serial number is K116906, and it does indicate production in 1951. It, therefore, is not a Model 15. Those did not come along until 1958. It is simply a .38 Combat Masterpiece. Moreover, it has a five screw frame. One sideplate screw is hiding under the stocks.

The carved ivory stocks are very nice.

I would have no idea how to figure the price on a post-factory engraved Combat Masterpiece. It is pretty, I'll give it that!

 

[JP@AK]

My apologies for forgetting this:

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

 

[Breakaway500]

I'd keep it. Price is right!

 

[Rpg]

The stocks alone would easily bring $500.

The engraved gun is harder to guess at.

Unengraved, the gun would probably be worth $500 (without original stocks).

The engraving doesn’t detract from that value, but how much it adds depends on the buyer.

This is a gun that one of the high end auction companies (eg Rock Island ) would be ideal to consult. They often set up at good collectors shows (eg the Colorado Gun Collectors show every May). Give them a call.

 

[DocB]

Rpg hit it about right. A hard gun to put a value on with that combination of features. As it is, maybe $1500. If you must sell the gun, I would be inclined to remove the grips and keep them. . .ivory grips are so impossible to come by these days. Then I would try to sell it with some replacement grips for around $1K. Oriental engraving is not likely the most desirable.

 

[Jtown]

Nice gun, grips are beautiful. I think 1000 low end for this gun. near 1500 high end.

Walt

 

[gmborkovic]

Guys, come on .$1500 for the whole package? It belonged to his Uncle. Priceless.

 

[DWalt]

Based on SNs of others that I have listed, yours likely shipped in the 8/51-10/51 period. It was called the Combat Masterpiece at that time, as model numbering did not begin until the late 1950s. The Combat Masterpiece is much the same as the K-38 Masterpiece, except that it has a 4" barrel instead of the 6" barrel of the Masterpiece. As stated previously, a greater return is probable if the grips are sold separately.

Regarding the engraving, many collectors are not much interested in engraved guns unless the engraving can be established to have been done by one of the famous "Big Name" engravers, no matter how good the quality. Engraving is perceived more as art, and the artist who did it is very important to its value - like Picasso vs. some no-name artist. Both may be equally talented, but no one cares much about works of an artist with no reputation. Until you try to sell it, preferably at an auction (on-line or live) it is difficult to come up with a value premium for the engraving, even though there probably will be some. The market will determine its value. I've been there, but that is a long story which is inappropriate to relate here.

 

[P.W.Herman]

It's going to depend on the buyer in this case. I like ivory stocks, especially with patina as this one has, but I'm really turned off by the bear. The engraving, although it covers a lot of area isn't executed as well as it could be which will hurt the value some. Or in other words, the better the engraving, the higher the value.
All that being said if it's a family gun I wouldn't worry about the value except for insurance purposes as I'd be keeping it and passinging it down to the next generation.
That really didn't help much did it?

 

[Bill1064]

That is the problem with engraving and art I guess. The ivory grip figure is supposed to be an Alaskan Husky which my Uncle and Aunt had in Alaska in 1965 - not a bear. Oh well, each to his own I guess as it is in all art,

 

[acco40]

Wonderful Revolver

Well as the new owner of this fine firearm, I can tell you that it is far more striking in person. It is in fantastic condition and locks up tight as a drum. The grips have a wonder patina on them and looking carefully at them , they are "bookend" matched based on the coloring . As for the seller, he is a true gentleman and I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to do business with him again. He was kind enough to throw in the original Heiser holster for this K-frame.

 

[Modified]

The stocks alone would easily bring $500.

The engraved gun is harder to guess at.

Unengraved, the gun would probably be worth $500 (without original stocks).

The engraving doesn’t detract from that value, but how much it adds depends on the buyer.

This is a gun that one of the high end auction companies (eg Rock Island ) would be ideal to consult. They often set up at good collectors shows (eg the Colorado Gun Collectors show every May). Give them a call.

I'd back this valuation up.

The stocks are fantastic and cross a couple different collecting spheres. The native carved walrus ivory is very collectable. That particular set is fantastic.

I would suspect a buyer of this gun would take the stocks off, keep them, and sell the gun.

Non-Factory engraving is very much eye of the beholder in terms of pricing. This particular engraving is a lot of coverage, but the work isn't top quality.

If you are going to insure it I'd go for 1500 - 2000.

If you are looking to sell it I'd expect whoever bought it to separate the gun from the stocks, I would be surprised if someone would keep the package complete.

I'd suggest that you keep it, as a family gun it's tops. If you are going to sell it I would imagine you already have a series of offers in your in box here, many of us love such character rich stocks as are on this gun.

 

[merl67]

Well as the new owner of this fine firearm, I can tell you that it is far more striking in person. It is in fantastic condition and locks up tight as a drum. The grips have a wonder patina on them and looking carefully at them , they are "bookend" matched based on the coloring . As for the seller, he is a true gentleman and I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to do business with him again. He was kind enough to throw in the original Heiser holster for this K-frame.

How about some more pictures of this one.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Post factory engraving, as you stated, removes all pure collector value as a factory original Combat Masterpiece and it is automatically a refinished gun. Does it add value, certainly for some.

Ivory stocks also are a big question mark, partially since the current laws one can potentially be breaking are many. There are so many caveats that it is hard to tell if one can own, sell or transport (especially across state lines), maintain required documentation, certification of age, how much can one own, etc. Personally I do not care for the animal faces and it makes me nervous even owning anything ivory, so the true value may only be realized by a small number of people??

So what is the value of the gun as it sits today? Almost impossible to predict, but I do not think as high as some have opined. All issues mute if you keep it in the family and pass it down someday.

 

[pd1964]

The guy already sold it...see post #12

 

[glowe]

The guy already sold it...see post #12

Thanks, missed it but my opinions still stand. One has to ask themselves if they would have paid $1500 to $2000 for the gun if offered for sale??