Model 1896 Hand ejector

[cjjohn]

I'm trying to figure out how much to bid on this:

1896 Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector, 1st Model. Long cal., Very Rare 6" barrel.

documented from the factory as a 6" barrel. Auction this evening, it just came to my attention. Good condition, documented history. I think the 4" values are in the 350 -500 range? So with a documented 6" barrel; I'm thinking maybe up to 8-900?? Any help / feedback is greatly appreciated...... Thank you!!

 

[Absalom]

It's very difficult to give you good advice on this. Have you researched the "very rare" status of the 6" barrel and its effect on the value or is that just the seller's claim?

Prices on the Model 1896 have been going up, but it's hard to tell what you mean by "good" condition. Usually, that's not a term of resounding endorsement. For comparison, last year I paid $750 for the nickeled one pictured below which is pretty pristine, all-matching and lettered, which it was worth to me, but which I did not consider a particularly good deal; I just wanted that gun.

This may not help you much, but without pictures, it's hard to be more certain about it, and a lot hinges on the condition.

 

[cjjohn]

Absalom,
Thanks for your help! I'm trying to convert the photos and ma having a hard time. It's blue, probably 75%, and I found a book of gun values that gave me some insight as well. It actually places the 4 and 6" barrels at the same value. I'm going to offer 375 -400 and see what happens.
The "Very Rare" was from the people putting on the auction. It's one of those events where money and brains don't necessarily correlate. I truly appreciate your help!

 

[Hondo44]

That's one of those situations where there aren't enough of them that have been sold for anyone to have a feel for its value. Certainly the scarcity of a 6" barrel justifies a premium. But the variation in the description "good condition" is so subjective that it equates to a value variation of $100 to $300.

The increasing auction bids are going to reveal what the general market thinks its worth and the actual sale price will be the actual market value for that gun on this day. Only you know how bad you want it, how much that's worth to you, and stop bidding if it reaches that point. If you win it, you'll be setting the market price this time.

Good luck and I hope you can get it for what you want to pay!

P.S. I see you posted again and that it's about 75% which would not be a price adder for me. Gun value books are obsolete the day they're printed, especially for faster appreciating models like these small frame Smiths have been recently. Same value for a 4" and 6" is off the mark in my opinion.