I always wanted to know what an engraved Smith was worth

[ben_g1]

Nobody ever wants to disclose the cost of their engraved Smith.
I don't blame them. Now I have a good idea.

Finished auction:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/604372294

 

[gripper]

I think that was a very good buy! Congratulations, Richard!

Chad

 

[weatherby]

I think that was a very good buy! Congratulations, Richard!

Chad

Same here....It doesn't have to ship far

 

[Jaymo]

Cough! Wheeze! Cough-cough-wheeze! Sticker shock.
Too rich for my blood, of which I'd have to sell a LOT to afford that.

Seriously though, gorgeous revolver.
Nice score. Congratulations. She's a beauty.

 

[usm1rifle]

They do not come much nicer than this one. Very, very nice.

 

[RKmesa]

It is the Russ Smith engraved Model 27 sister to this Russ Smith engraved Model 29, both of which shipped in October 1959 to J.S. Oshman in Houston:

Model 29:



Model 27:



Sometimes you're willing to pay a lot more to get something that fits nicely with something you already own... I think they'll make quite the model marked set...

 

[boykinlp]

It is the Russ Smith engraved Model 27 sister to this Russ Smith engraved Model 29, both of which shipped in October 1959 to J.S. Oshman in Houston:



Sometimes you're willing to pay a lot more to get something that fits nicely with something you already own... I think they'll make quite the model marked set...

Awesome, Superb, Outstanding, Remarkable, Magnificent, Breathtaking,and Marvelous!!! In other words.......I LIKE IT!!!!

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...WOW...in every sense of the word...I'm still chuckling over the opening bid...$11.00...

 

[samandglove1]

Beautiful gun and not the worst price in the world. Also, as in most hard to find sets, 1 + 1 = 3 or 4. I'm glad the two revolvers are once again under the same roof. Great acquisition.

 

[ben_g1]

It is the Russ Smith engraved Model 27 sister to this Russ Smith engraved Model 29, both of which shipped in October 1959 to J.S. Oshman in Houston:

Model 29:



Model 27:

Sometimes you're willing to pay a lot more to get something that fits nicely with something you already own... I think they'll make quite the model marked set...

Very nice pair. That's the first time I ever seen a engraved Pinto at auction (I don't get out much ).

I thought it would go for a much higher price. I live a few miles from the Rock Island Auction Co. in Rock Island, IL. and they auctioned some engraved stuff, mostly old rifles. Some of those go for in the $100,000's.

Never seen a Smith engraved Pinto though.

 

[Tom K]

I don't know nothin' 'bout engraving, but is that engraving unusually deep? It gives that impression in the auction pictures.

 

[fyimo]

Awesome looking revolver

 

[RKmesa]

...is that engraving unusually deep? It gives that impression in the auction pictures.

I think the background treatment on the 357 is done by a liner rather than a dot punch, resulting in a little material being removed. However, I don't think it has had a lot of material removed, unlike this one where the background has been cut out, smoothed, then dot punched - it is really deep:

 

[paplinker]

I also am glad they are back together again. They will show great together.

I do wonder, Do you think the 27 targets are what originally was on there?
They look very much the same color as the 29 but the 29 grips are the small cutout with the flush eschusions.

When you buy a engraved piece does it matter much to move unnumbered target stocks around?

 

[Tom K]

I think the background treatment on the 357 is done by a liner rather than a dot punch, resulting in a little material being removed. However, I don't think it has had a lot of material removed, unlike this one where the background has been cut out, smoothed, then dot punched - it is really deep:

Wow! That is spectacular. I hope the timing on the action is perfect, because the cylinder stop is going to have a rough ride if it doesn't drop into the leade before the notch.

 

[rburg]

Its been my observation that engraved guns are individuals. Some bring more money when sold than others, and the reasons are unique to the gun and the buyer/seller. The value is exactly what the gun sold for. That's value to the buyer. Some of our collectors here have more money to spend, or a better eye at investing in their guns. Who knows.

I like the deep relief engraving style better than the light touch often seen on factory engraved guns. For whatever reason, factory seems to be valued beyond what the same work by an outsider would bring. I have a ratty old K22 that's done in the style of Ben Shostle. Might even be his work, who knows. I paid little for it about 20 years ago. When you look at it and handle it, you wonder if he dug so deep the rifling would show. All done smoothly, just deep relief. Its clearly worth more than the $600 I had to pay for it. Maybe its time I dig it up and look at it again.

I do like the gun pictured after the pinto. Lots of nice deep work.

 

[iPac]

Wow! That is spectacular. I hope the timing on the action is perfect, because the cylinder stop is going to have a rough ride if it doesn't drop into the leade before the notch.

Keen eye.

Let's just hope no one cocks that gun, because S&W revolvers were not designed so that the bolt drops in the leads. It would be a bumpy ride until lock up.

RKMesa, were those 2 guns originally for the same buyer back in the late '50s? It would make sense, and I am wondering how they got split up. Doesn't make sense for them to go to two different people.

 

[chief38]

A gun (or anything else for that mater) is worth what someonel is willing to pay for it.

 

[rusty37874]

RKmesa beautiful gun, and it's great that you were able to put the band back together again.
I have a general question on letters/ documentation of Pintos. I have two in my collection they both letter as blue/nickel finish. I noticed the letter from the GB auction showed blue finish only. How can you determine it is a factory Pinto? --I wonder if the dual finish was missed in lettering, or the gun was pulled for the engraving before final finish.

 

[chud333]

Super Cool gun.
Way above my pay grade.
I am glad Richard nabbed it to keep it for all
of us to see and appreciate.


Chuck