Model 43 (1974)

[Jcon72]

So the LGS had a model 43 come in on consignment recently and it's tempting me. From the serial number it appears to be from the last year of production (1974). It's the standard 3 1/2" barrel, adjustable sights, alloy frame and cylinder, square butt with original service grips. This gun is simply in immaculate/mint condition with no sign of wear anywhere. I literally cannot find a mark on it either on the exterior, in the chambers or in the bore. (The picture below doesn't do it justice.) The original matching box is included and is in good condition. Vapor barrier paper is in the box (not sure about paperwork) as well as an original toolkit with sight adjustment tool, although the swab and brush appear to be either for a .32 or .38, not a .22.
I can't seem to find much information regarding actual sold values for a comparable piece. Prices range from $550 to $1250 for samples from various production eras. They're asking $900 which is a little more than I would *prefer* to pay, but I don't want to pass up a deal and later regret it.
Thoughts?

 

[Retired W4]

That certainly is a sweetheart. I have M63617 in the same high condition. i don't remember what I paid for it, several years ago, but someone would have to come up with more then 9 bills to talk me out of it. It displays well with my 51, pre-35, pre-34 and my other kit guns.

 

[22hipower]

I have one in great condition (M39685) which i think is 1971. I paid $600 for it but that was 12 years ago and I was happy to find it for that price, and no box/papers. I would try to negotiate that $900 down a bit but I doubt that you'll have many to choose from in that condition at a lower price. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Jcon72]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I stopped at the LGS on my lunch break earlier today to talk to the owner about it but she was out. While again looking at it and checking it out she just happened to call the shop to talk to one of the employees, so he handed me the phone knowing I had wanted to ask her about it.
Since it's on consignment she can only deal within the pricing parameters that the consignor specified when he consigned it, of course. She said she'll check her paperwork tomorrow morning to see what those parameters are and will let me know, so now it's a waiting game until then.

 

[Hondo44]

The price is fair in my opinion for that package.

But are you “collecting” it or do you want to shoot it?

You’ll likely not want to shoot it much in such pristine condition, so it might end up a safe queen. That’s ok of course but you have to ask yourself; will you be shopping for another soon in lesser condition so that you have one you don’t mind shooting and carrying? The anodized alloy doesn’t take much use to start showing wear.

 

[Jcon72]

The price is fair in my opinion for that package.

But are you “collecting” it or do you want to shoot it?

You’ll likely not want to shoot it much in such pristine condition, so it might end up a safe queen. That’s ok of course but you have to ask yourself; will you be shopping for another soon in lesser condition so that you have one you don’t mind shooting and carrying? The anodized alloy doesn’t take much use to start showing wear.

It would be a safe queen. I have plenty of other toys to shoot and have no particular desire to carry a 22LR.

 

[Doc Watson]

M43

Buy it, won't see another for awhile.

 

[Jcon72]

Just an update to say that it's safely on layaway and hopefully will be home in a couple of weeks or so. Pretty sure I would have always regretted passing it up, otherwise. Thank you, everyone, for your comments.