Model 36 Value, Please

[alienbogey]

My brother in law has a talent for deals and it's hard to top a Smith Model 36 he recently got. A little old lady he knows wanted to get rid of her husband's pistol after he passed away, she asked him to take it to the police to be destroyed, he asked if he could keep it, and she gave it to him. He showed it to me yesterday and asked if he should shoot it or keep it or sell it.

It's a Smith Model 36 Chief's Special with a 3" barrel and appears, upon my careful inspection, to be unfired. There is a faint turn line on the cylinder, but other than that it is absolutely pristine—the blueing, grips, bore, everything is perfect.

The box is perfect, too, but unfortunately it doesn't match the revolver - someone scratched out the box's 2" barrel and put 3", and the box serial number has been written over to match the pistol. My guess is that when it was sold (in 1966) the shop couldn't find the right box and put it in one they had sitting around. Nonetheless, the box doesn't match.

It also includes the manual, cleaning rod and brush - all new and unused, as well as the receipt ($75.50 if I recall correctly).

Apologies for the poor cell phone pic:

He's not a gun guy, but kind of wants to shoot it and keep it in the bedroom. I told him that it would be a shame to shoot an unfired 45 year old revolver, and he could likely sell it to a collector who would cherish it and he could then buy a brand new Ruger or Smith or whatever.

It's too bad about the box not matching and the faint turn line, but other than that it's perfect.

Value? Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Old cop]

A gun like that, especially the 3", would bring around $400 in my neck of the woods. As to shooting it I suggest taking it to someone who knows somehing about revolvers just to be safe. It may need to have the action oiled if it has been sitting a long time, but that can be done w/o taking it apart.

If he wants to keep it for HD it is a great model for that, but he should take it to a range and practice until he can handle it safely. As to storing it for HD, check the law in your location. Some jurisdictions are quite stringent and above all, he will want to ensure safe storage with the ability to get to it in an emergency.

Happy New Year,
Old Cop

 

[jimmyj]

Keep it and shoot it.
With the box not original plus the turn line (however faint) it is not a "Collector".

 

[fyimo]

Lately there has been a rush to buy 3 inch revolvers so I think the value would be pretty close to what is stated above. It would be a great revolver to keep and shoot.

 

[bigmoneylewis]

I think most would agree that it's a solid $ 400 gun any day of the week .

Lewis

 

[Hondo44]

That gun is pre 1969 production. It could have a "flat latch" which makes it even earlier. Can you post a pic of the other side and provide the serial # from the butt? Value could even go higher than $400 depending on geographical location. Those tapered 3" barrel guns are a little more desireable because the 2" models outnumber them about 5 to 1.

Does your bro-in-law know anything about guns? If so he doesn't need to take it to a gunsmith. If he likes the gun, he should keep it and shoot it. If not, sell it and get something he likes.

 

[GF]

I can't think of a better self-defense gun for a novice or expert than the revolver pictured.

If the present owner isn't a "gun guy" with a little instruction that would be the revolver to learn on and be safest with.

If he let's it go, you should be first in line to be the "collector" and both of you win.

(EXCEPT...you'll end up buying more S&W's and then your sunk.)

GF

 

[alienbogey]

Thanks for the replies, folks.

I should have noted the serno and taken the picture of the left side, but they live two states away, I was visiting, and when they told me the story they showed me the gun, so I won't be able to get those anytime soon.

I suppose they should just go ahead and keep it and shoot it. I might suggest to them they put a set of bigger rubber grips on it and store the originals in the box to keep them pristine.

It was quite a disappointment when I saw that the box didn't match. I'm not a box collector but I know some guys are all over that.

Me buy it? The thought has crossed my mind, but I'm more of a Colt guy.