Inherited 38 special need help!

[teadub49]

Hello all and hope I am in the right place! I think I have done my homework and here is the info on a inherited piece. Any info you can give me on pricing and how to sell would be greatly appreciated.
1. Model #38 airweight 38 spl ctg
2. S & W hand ejector
3. From late 1959-60??
4. Serial # J159XXX
5. Barrel length 1 7/8"
6. Fixed sight

Looks to be absolutely unused anywhere on it. Has wood panels on side of handle (like new) as well as a rubber grippy handle option that screws on. (sorry I am a bit naive about terminology)

Any advice you can give would be great. I don't want to keep it. I live in Western Washington. Thanks much!

 

[Autococker07]

1973-74 is where that serial number falls on it, and for your best return, I would suggest Gunbroker. Around here, in that shape, 450-500 would not be out of line, and 400 would be a bargain.

I would strongly consider keeping such an inheritance, but there again, I am a bit sentimental about that stuff... ymmv. Good luck!

 

[teadub49]

Thanks for info! Could you tell me what GunBroker is?? Is it auction? What do I need to know/avoid about it??

 

[Autococker07]

It is much like Ebay but for guns..... there are also other gun auction sites, both local and national. Just look around at how the ads are made, and make sure you think through your conditions (like the charge for shipping AND the fee for a local gun dealer (FFL) to send your revolver out). Some folks use a flat fee for simplicity, some prefer the buyer pays exactly the costs.... either way, do some research. Also, if you have an honest local gun shop, you should be able to get 325-350 out of that revolver..... but that depends on your local market. They will try to sell it for prices like I quoted above. Go to gun broker and look up S&W model 38 auctions and see what people are asking, and more importantly what people are paying... and use the delta of your time to write the add, ship, etc...... You will get more money out of the auction site, but you have to do a little work for it..... good luck!

 

[teadub49]

Thank you SO MUCH. I really appreciate your time and friendly response when people such as myself are pretty uninformed about these matters!

 

[scooter123]

I would suggest that you simply post it for sale here, you'll save the fee that Gunbroker charges and you won't find a better group of potential purchasers anywhere else on the Net.

 

[Art Doc]

...and so much for leaving guns to the heirs...

This is why I don't advocate saving guns for loved ones after you're gone. No guarantee they will like or even want them.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I would suggest that you simply post it for sale here, you'll save the fee that Gunbroker charges and you won't find a better group of potential purchasers anywhere else on the Net.

^This^ Much easier than Gunbroker and you are pretty much guaranteed an honest buyer....The same can't be said for Gunbroker.

 

[italiansport]

I would suggest that you simply post it for sale here, you'll save the fee that Gunbroker charges and you won't find a better group of potential purchasers anywhere else on the Net.

I couldn't agree more and for 1 gun you save the hassle of listing it and paying commissions etc. The only thing you have to make sure of is that it ships legally. Set a fair price on it as indicated and it should sell in no time.
Jim

 

[teadub49]

...and so much for leaving guns to the heirs...

This is why I don't advocate saving guns for loved ones after you're gone. No guarantee they will like or even want them.

Well, good point. However I am certainly giving a good effort to insure it gets in the hands of one who likes/wants it. Better than in a closet, yes??

 

[teadub49]

I couldn't agree more and for 1 gun you save the hassle of listing it and paying commissions etc. The only thing you have to make sure of is that it ships legally. Set a fair price on it as indicated and it should sell in no time.
Jim

Makes sense. But another question...how do I insure it ships legally? I am clearly new to this. I've read about licensed firearms people, but does the seller or the buyer enlist this process? Again apologies for naive questions.

 

[WaMike]

Teadub, I live in Vancouver. Send me a PM and I'll explain by phone.

 

[Arik]

You need to get the buyer's FFL (federal firearm license) license. This is usually from the buyer's gunshop. The name and address on that license is where you want to send. DO NOT send to the buyer, that is very very illegal and really no such thing as oops I didn't know I'm not a gun person.

To ship you can go to UPS main hub but a handgun must ship priority next day ant it will cost ...a lot. Somewhere between $70-$100. Or you can go to a gun store and ask if they can ship for you. Usually this costs too but nowhere near as much. Maybe $25-$50.

Why do some of you guys care so much. It's not your chunk of metal. Not everyone oohs and aaaahhs at blued metal.

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[Buford57]

Why do some of you guys care so much. It's not your chunk of metal. Not everyone oohs and aaaahhs at blued metal.

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Can't speak for anyone else, but I think selling it here will get the seller a better return. Recent Gunbroker auctions will give the seller a better idea of what to charge, but the shipping routine will be the same regardless.

 

[Arik]

Can't speak for anyone else, but I think selling it here will get the seller a better return. Recent Gunbroker auctions will give the seller a better idea of what to charge, but the shipping routine will be the same regardless.

I ment about the OP not keeping the gun.

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[noyo55]

Northwest Firearms Community is a forum for Oregon and Washington folks. Like this forum it also has a section for sale of firearms. You may find someone local or close by and save the hassle of shipping.

 

[WaMike]

"Why do some of you guys care so much. It's not your chunk of metal. Not everyone oohs and aaaahhs at blued metal."

Why do you care that 'you guys' care so much?!

 

[Arik]

Because the OP didn't ask for an opinion to keep or not

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[rwsmith]

Lucky......

Lucky you. You can either have a nice gun or a nice wad of cash!

 

[Engineer1911]

This pleasant exchange of posts has convinced me that I will have a "Whale of a Sale" in 3 to 5 years. The next step will be to spend every dime of the proceeds on travel, vacation, creating memories.

My lovely wife will have her guns and a PILE of center fire ammo. I'll keep the 22 LR guns, and hope the ammo shortage is over when my 4 cases of 22 LR ammo are gone. Might have to keep one 223 bolt gun just in case I can hobble over a prairie dog patch.