Looking/Possible

[1sprinklerman]

Hope I picked the right area. Looking at a model 65-3, serial #AYY3904, Stainless, .357, 3 inch barrel. No pictures yet. Has for grips really crappy fitting Hogue Monogrip. Screw in the bottom to hold them on and does nothing to seal. Anyway the owner allowed me to remove them and that is where I got what is hopefully the serial number. Appears to have been shot and enjoyed. Am pleased at how well the trigger works. I was allowed to take it to an indoor shooting range to shoot. Knowable range office examined and shot it and said go for it. Hardly any pull when fired cocked. Hope that is good. Present owner said she bought it used years ago and knows nothing about it. She is wanting something smaller. I see they have a good resale value. We have not talked price. Am looking for your thoughts and a possible build year.
Thanks, Chuck

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Based on several near that serial number in my Chiefs database I'd guess that one shipped in 1988. (S&W tracking shipping, not manufacturing, dates.)

 

[1sprinklerman]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Based on several near that serial number in my Chiefs database I'd guess that one shipped in 1988. (S&W tracking shipping, not manufacturing, dates.)

That is a lot later than others have thought. May have to invest in the S&W book.

 

[VictorLouis]

Those 3" fixed-sight 65's tend to get a premium.
It would likely bring $750 ish in MNotW

 

[sheppard]

highly desirable

 

[1sprinklerman]

Hope I picked the right area. Looking at a model 65-3, serial #AYY3904, Stainless, .357, 3 inch barrel. No pictures yet. Has for grips really crappy fitting Hogue Monogrip. Screw in the bottom to hold them on and does nothing to seal. Anyway the owner allowed me to remove them and that is where I got what is hopefully the serial number. Appears to have been shot and enjoyed. Am pleased at how well the trigger works. I was allowed to take it to an indoor shooting range to shoot. Knowable range office examined and shot it and said go for it. Hardly any pull when fired cocked. Hope that is good. Present owner said she bought it used years ago and knows nothing about it. She is wanting something smaller. I see they have a good resale value. We have not talked price. Am looking for your thoughts and a possible build year.
Thanks, Chuck

Thanks to every one that replied.

 

[GerSan69]

I paid $339 for my 3" 65-5 around 7 or 8 years ago. It was used, but in great shape. If this is a "friend" deal, I'd say $600 is an honest value. But the combination of the scamdemic and the crazy popularity of 3" K-frames these days has pushed the prices as high as $1200-1400!
I suggest paying whatever you and your friend are comfortable with. I know that's not a great answer, but in the current market it's an honest one.

 

[ME94]

I paid $850 in April 2019 with box and all the goodies.

 

[L-2]

Post #2 is correct. The "book" also says 1988:

"1988 – AFZ, AWP, AYC, AYE, AYM, AYR, AYU, AYY, AWD, AZA, AZH, AZJ, AZE, AZL, BAF, BAN, BAP, BAR, BAS, BBA, BBF, BBH, BBN, BBT

Supica, Jim,Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (Kindle Locations 17049-17050). F+W Media. Kindle Edition. "