Mod 57 converted to 44 mag value?

[Ressor130]

I have a 1964 produced mod 57 that left the factory as a chrome 6" .41 mag and went to a sales rep for S&W. It's been professionally blued and converted to a .44mag. Looks unfired.
I have S&W factory letter documenting how / when and to whom the gun left the factory to. Any idea of realistic value?

 

[CJSmith]

The letter says it left the factory chromed? The 57 would have been a nickel or blue gun.

 

[Ressor130]

I'm sorry you are correct as a Nickle finish.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Conversions like that are pretty worthless. I'll give you $250 for it...

 

[cowboy4evr]

I'm a 41 guy and have had the opportunity to buy several conversions to 44 magnum . I have always passed on them . The conversion really hurts the value , in my opinion . If you stop and think about it , 44 magnums are real easy to find . The 41 magnum not so common . And , the factory has told me that they refuse to work on any gun that is modified to that extent so if you needed a tune up , good luck . Regards, Paul

 

[blasterp7]

Leaving me totally cold - should have left it as a 57!

 

[CJSmith]

Conversions like that are pretty worthless. I'll give you $250 for it...

Since it's regionally dependent, I'm obligated to say it's worth at least $265 in my neck of the woods.

Removing the nickel plating, then bluing the gun doesn't really jive with unfired. I guess it could have not been shot, poorly stored and then refinished. Personally, I'd equate the value to a shooter grade model 29. Tough to say without seeing it but I don't see any collector value.

 

[Ressor130]

My assessment of unfired is Post conversion. There is absolutely no evidence of having been fired on the cylinder or forcing cone.

 

[flagman1776]

There was a time when 44 Mags were almost impossible to find... or afford. At the time 41s were inexpensive & lots of gunsmiths did conversions.
Now things are different.
Collector value: gone.
If in good shape, it should have equal value to a M29 shooter.

 

[Jtown]

I would avoid it
Walt

 

[Jersey Doug]

See posts here about rusty and hack sawed N-frame guns they found going for $650 on Gun Broker and were telling this guy his "unshot" version is only worth only $250-$265 ?

 

[CJSmith]

See posts here about rusty and hack sawed N-frame guns they found going for $650 on Gun Broker and were telling this guy his "unshot" version is only worth only $250-$265 ?

Not exactly sure what this means but the emojis indicate the valuation of $250-260 were clear attempts at humor. Again, maybe I'm misinterpreting your post.

 

[CJSmith]

My assessment of unfired is Post conversion. There is absolutely no evidence of having been fired on the cylinder or forcing cone.

Makes sense. Being unfired after a refinish isn't adding collector value though.

 

[kaaskop49]

Borrowing from that old saying referring to used cars: is this gun somebody else's mistake? It would be so for me. Seems like an awful lot has been done to this gun, and to what purpose?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[moralem]

See posts here about rusty and hack sawed N-frame guns they found going for $650 on Gun Broker and were telling this guy his "unshot" version is only worth only $250-$265 ?

I know subtly is often lost, but think tongue in cheek........

 

[steelslaver]

To me it would be worth the same as any shooter grade 44 mag if the conversion was well done. 44 mags are hard to find under say $650.

Yea, it would have been worth more left alone. A 1917 Enfield would be worth more left alone too. But, few people have that much look ahead. If everyone had that much look ahead we would have all bought Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon at opening values.

 

[weatherby]

I have a 1964 produced mod 57 that left the factory as a chrome 6" .41 mag and went to a sales rep for S&W. It's been professionally blued and converted to a .44mag. Looks unfired.
I have S&W factory letter documenting how / when and to whom the gun left the factory to. Any idea of realistic value?

Welcome to the forum.
Does it still have it's original stocks ?
If so that is a good chunk of change on their own.
I'm talking 400.+........just for the stocks.
Also if the early presentation case is there that is another large chunk of change.
A few pictures could help a lot.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Personally I would value a model 29 built as such at the S&W factory way over a .41 bored out to .44 / nickel stripped / re-blued, all by a person unknown. Or was it achieved by changing the cylinder and barrel ? In any case, worth way less than the genuine unmolested article IMO.

 

[Capt. F.]

I have an 8 3/8" .44 mag that started out life as an early blued .41 mag.
And yes, I had it converted at the mother ship when . 44's were impossible to find.
So, there's no collector value, but I'll never sell it anyway so I don't care.
Unless your getting this to resell, enjoy the fact it fires the mighty .44 mag and forget it's value or lack there of.

 

[bananaman]

I have a 1964 produced mod 57 that left the factory as a chrome 6" .41 mag and went to a sales rep for S&W. It's been professionally blued and converted to a .44mag. Looks unfired.
I have S&W factory letter documenting how / when and to whom the gun left the factory to. Any idea of realistic value?

Welcome to the FORUM! If it were mine, I would just shoot & enjoy it. There is no great collector value to it, beings it was altered. I have a 29-2, nickel 4" at the gunsmith right now with a magna-ported barrel. Value was diminished due to that modification which was probably done when new (?). Not the best decision I ever made. Bob