How much does a bobbed hammer hurt resale?

[cas]

I have one I want to sell, not a "rare" gun, but less common being one of the scandium N frames. It's in good shape mechanically, not perfect cosmetically being a carry gun, not a safe queen.

But the hammer's been bobbed. I've been going back and forth trying to decide it it's worth replacing.

At auction for example... obviously the gun would sell for more money with an unmodified hammer. But I'm not sure it's enough to be worth the trouble? Spending $50-60 on a hammer to increase the sale price by....?
If the hammer cost $50 and it added $100 to the value, sure it would be worth it. But evening out or +/- a little either way isn't worth the trouble.

So I was just wondering if anyone had any feeling one way or another, how much a bobbed hammer hurts , and if it were their's would they bother swapping it out before hand?

 

[sigp220.45]

Even if I wanted a gun with a bobbed hammer I would still use the bobbing to try to beat down the price.

I think I would replace it before trying to sell.

 

[joespapa]

Even if I wanted a gun with a bobbed hammer I would still use the bobbing to try to beat down the price.



I think I would replace it before trying to sell.

I agree completely!

 

[D Brown]

I would replace it with a factory hammer and offer the bobbed hammer as an additional incentive to boost the sale price a little.

 

[cadmike]

Most people shy away from guns that have been modified after leaving the factory. There are some buyers that like and appreciate certain modifications, and a gun with a bobbed hammer will attract some buyers who want a nice carry revolver, but they won’t necessarily pay a collectors premium for it.

Bottom line is if you’re asking a fair price for the gun in the condition it’s in, then it will sell. If you’re trying to get a premium, then replace the hammer.

 

[Absalom]

It’s not so much the direct effect on the actual price as the number of potential customers you’ll lose. If I’m perusing auctions online, when I see any kind of modification like a bobbed hammer, I just move on. In most people’s mind it immediately raises the question what else may have been monkeyed with. The same applies at gun show tables for that matter.

 

[colt_saa]

As a buyer, I would use the modified condition of the firearm as a bargaining chip as well. $100 at the very least. More depending on other things that might look modified on the firearm.

It is less of an issue with me when the seller of the modified firearm also includes the original un-modified part so that I can have the revolver whatever way I want it

 

[chief38]

I suppose it depends on the individual and weather or not a bobbed hammer is what they like - personally they are not for me! If someone does not like it, it means replacing it, a Smithing cost if they can not do it themselves, and the hassle and of finding a new one.

Personally, unless I could get a substantially reduced price on a bobbed hammer gun, it would be a deal breaker for me. While I do have some spare hammers they are getting more & more expensive. I also prefer to buy unopened guns if possible. It is usually not hard to tell from from the screws if the side plate has been removed. If I can't tell then even if it had been opened it is the sign of a more meticulous person and not a kitchen table "butcher".

 

[two-bit cowboy]

If I see a bobbed hammer as I scroll through the list of revolvers on an auction site search I don't even pause to look.

I'm having the hammer bobbed on a Chiefs Special, along with much other work, but I don't ever intend to sell that one.

Caveat: I did recently buy a Chiefs with lots of rust and a broken hammer (no apparent "smith" work on the gun). I bought it as a project gun and paid what would be considered a substantial discount.

 

[TripleGGG]

It’s not so much the direct effect on the actual price as the number of potential customers you’ll lose. If I’m perusing auctions online, when I see any kind of modification like a bobbed hammer, I just move on. In most people’s mind it immediately raises the question what else may have been monkeyed with. The same applies at gun show tables for that matter.

I am the same way. If I personally know someone who did the work I might consider it but rarely.

 

[6actual]

Doesn't bother me any, I much prefer DAO revolvers. it would just depend on how well the hammer was bobbed, grind marks etc. I have several that are factory DAO and shoot them quite often

 

[Marshal Tom]

I had a strange thing happen to me a few years ago. A retired cop friend sold me a model 60 with a bobbed hammer, no box or docs. I took it home and cleaned it all up. The gun looked great when finished. I ended up trading it off because of the bobbed hammer. Some months later, I saw him again set up at a local show. He said, I have a surprise for you. He then reached into his case and pulled out the original box, grips and hammer. I was so upset. could have put it back to original and had a very nice model 60 at a very good price. I still have the box with the grips and hammer in it.

 

[squidsix]

If I intend to bob a hammer, I typically fit another hammer first, then bob one of them. If i intend to sell it, i put the spur hammer on there before it goes up for sale (usually).

 

[rockquarry]

Replace it; whatever the cost, it can be recouped at sale time. Bobbed hammers were more of a fad than something of real worth anyway.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I've had a 3" 65 with a bobbed hammer since 1987ish....... love the gun; was my weekend concealed carry for many years.(replaced by a 3" 66). Will never part with it........now my wife's house gun (slick double action job & 100% reliable)

But I'd never buy another man's bobbed hammer.......X2 from an online sale.

 

[BE Mike]

Replace it; whatever the cost, it can be recouped at sale time. Bobbed hammers were more of a fad than something of real worth anyway.

I think that bobbed hammers are a must for Chief Specials. Having said that, one that I have on my model 60 was a hammer I bought bobbed and replaced the original. I still have the original unbobbed hammer, in case I ever sell it (though unlikely).

 

[FloridaFlier]

If the seller listed a bobbed hammer by S&W or one of the big dog gunsmiths, then it might increase value. If there is no info, I assume it was done by Joe Bagadonuts, and I wonder what else Joe 'fixed'.
To me, that reduces value, and I would pass. The exception being, as stated above, if the mod was done by somebody who has a reputation as a serious S&W gunsmith.

 

[MetalMan]

I pulled the trigger (pun intended) on a very nice Model 60 at a local gun show back in November.

Seller is a regular at the show and well known. He is also a retired LEO and ex-Cincinnati PD armorer. This was his personal BUG which he purchased new in 1988.

He had done a little work on the action, bobbed the hammer and polished it up and placed it on the table for sale. Price on the tag was a slight premium as I don’t think he really wanted to sell it, but we did the deal anyhow.

I have since put about 500 rounds downrange and am extremely pleased with its performance. I can place fist-sized groupings at 10 yards.

I own another Model 60 and 2-Model 36’s, all with factory hammers.

There is no comparison on the smoothness of the draw from a pocket holster with the bobbed hammer.

And, knowing the provenance of this particular gun really sealed the deal for me.

This has become my go-to EDC and I couldn’t be happier.

 

[squidsix]

I have a 36 with a bobbed hammer, 10-5 and 13-2 with bobbed hammers also. I have spurred hammers fitted for each. I greatly prefer a bobbed hammer on a carry piece.