Marks on cylinder face does it affect value?

[raljr1]

Just a moment...

Just a moment...

Here are two that bookend the price you mention. One does not have the gadgets, one does. I was prepared to say $4k seemed on the high side, but at least 4 people, the two winners and the two losers, think that you are in the ballpark. As long as $4k isn't this month's rent, only you can decide how much the scratches mean to you.

 

[Engine49guy]

The presentation case and tools adds value as does barrel length, a 4" gets a premium over a 6.5" IMO and of course if it was a rare 5".
Condition is everything in a collectable gun,
I'd choose a high condition gun without a box over a lower condition gun with a box as the box can always be added, this goes for stocks too, since they aren't numbered easily swapped.

 

[JRB416]

The presentation case and tools adds value as does barrel length, a 4" gets a premium over a 6.5" IMO and of course if it was a rare 5".
Condition is everything in a collectable gun,
I'd choose a high condition gun without a box over a lower condition gun with a box as the box can always be added, this goes for stocks too, since they aren't numbered easily swapped.

It has a 6.5 inch barrel. As best I can tell the finish is 99%+ with the exception of the cylinder face.

 

[Engine49guy]

I personally don't think those scratches are a big deal because they are on the cylinder face, only better place to have a cosmetic issue is on the grip frame under the stocks.

The saying goes something like "you don't pay too much for a collectable gun but sometimes you pay it too soon".
In other words they keep going up in value, well, the dollar keeps going down actually...

I don't know what the market is fr a 6.5" four screw with box but how often do they drop in your lap. My buddy just payed $10k for a run o the mill Rolex submariner, Id take two of those 44s and $2k cash over that any day.
On a side note I would think a similar condition 5 screw 4" would easily fetch $5k and maybe $10k to the right buyer real soon.

 

[Com 45acp]

Previous owner probably used a steel bristle brush to clean off carbon and left those scratches.

 

[pantannojack]

I like the 600 option. The imperfections of the cyl face knock out the other positives.

 

[ms]

By the time it's all said and done, I would have a little over $4000 in it.

The stamp on the side plate looks a little soft. For $4K, I'd want some really good pics and an iron-clad return policy.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Buy it!

 

[Engine49guy]

For comparison was at a local shop recently they had a good condition 6.5" five screw S153149 with cokes no box docs for $2900
No sales tax in Fl on guns if you wait till Sept 8

 

[JRB416]

Buy it!

I did!

 

[M29since14]

It's a lot of money, but if you like the gun and you can afford it…

When I get into one of these gun v. price beatdowns, my mentality always goes to, (1) am I likely to find a nicer one, and (2) how long am I likely to look to find a nicer one at the same price, or one as nice that costs less. Most of the time I end up buying, and I can't recall any serious regrets along the way.

Looking costs time and money. Time is not replaceable and is more valuable to me than snooping around for weeks/months/even years to try to find something better/less expensive that you might never find. Enjoy your new .44 Magnum.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I do not own this revolver but it is available for me to purchase. It is a four screw 44 magnum from 1957 or 58. Cylinder turn ring is almost non-existent and the recoil shield shows no sign of firing. The blue is original as are the stocks.

Overall I would rate this one at 99+ except for one issue. The face of the cylinder has some scratches that do not look normal to me. Sorry I do not have a photo of the barrel forcing cone so I do not know what the wear looks like on it.

My question is; does this affect the value of the revolver? If you were looking as a collector would you shy away?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

I am supposing that by "cylinder face" you actually mean the recoil shield. The cylinder face is at the muzzle end of the cylinder next to the barrel shank. The recoil shield is the area where the primer end of the cartridges rest when the cylinder is closed. Your pictures are not that close up, but from what I can tell, there is no problem with either the cylinder face or the recoil shield.

 

[Engine49guy]

If you go back to page one the Op posted a close up, looks like the front of the cylinder may have slightly scraped the forcing cone on closing.

 

[Model29-26.5]

I did!
View attachment 791945View attachment 791947

Fabulous! A beauty.
I will be after one in the next year or so.

 

[JRB416]

I am supposing that by "cylinder face" you actually mean the recoil shield. The cylinder face is at the muzzle end of the cylinder next to the barrel shank. The recoil shield is the area where the primer end of the cartridges rest when the cylinder is closed. Your pictures are not that close up, but from what I can tell, there is no problem with either the cylinder face or the recoil shield.

I was referring to the muzzle end of the cylinder. Thank you for your thoughts to my post.

 

[JRB416]

If you go back to page one the Op posted a close up, looks like the front of the cylinder may have slightly scraped the forcing cone on closing.

Yes, that is what I was referring to. When I received the revolver the scratches were very minimal and you had to look very close to see anything. I think maybe the photo caused them to look more pronounced than they were.

 

[JRB416]

Fabulous! A beauty.
I will be after one in the next year or so.

Good luck and good hunting! As I've said before, the early four and five screw Smith & Wesson 44 Magnums are my favorite handguns. They are works of art.

 

[66fan]

Congratulations on a fine revolver find! I personally wouldn't ding it too hard on the basis of the overall condition. I experienced the same circumstances with a pristine 29-5 I purchased in an estate sale. This example appeared to be unfired, but 30+ years as a safe queen had allowed a very slight rust buildup to form at the forcing cone. Opening the cylinder had scratched in the same manner as the OP described. A light stoning and a little cold bluing rectified the damage to my satisfaction.

That is the roughest cylinder face I've ever seen on any used gun. How in the world did that get so damaged? I couldn't imagine having my 29-2's look like that. Thanks S&W forum.