Model 58 in nickel questions

[Göring's S&W]

I have an opportunity to buy a model 58 in nickel. I'm not sure the dash. I understand this to be a pretty rare gun, but I'm unable to find exact production figures. The SCSW 3rd does not even list a premium for nickel but since this model was intended for LE agencies, I would expect nickel to be rare in this model. I think I read that there were only about 26k 58s made total. I'm wondering whats a good price for one WITHOUT original grips. The guy supposedly has spare grips laying around but what would be right for it? I don't know the dash, so I don't know if its supposed to have diamond grips or non diamond. Also, its supposed to have service grips, not target grips? I'm not sure if there were 6 in barrels on these? I think its a 4in. The guy that has this gun apparently wants $950, but he claims the finish is in excellent condition and its mechanically perfect. Is this worth looking into? I think the price is high but I never saw one for sale either. Help me out here, thanks.

 

[Chop]

The Model 58 was made in both blue and nickel and only in 4".
They came with service grips that are hard to find. There is allot of interest in Model 58's and they bring anywhere from $450. to $900 depending on condition, correct grips, and box. 41 Mag ammo is very expensive if you don't re-load. I think $950. is a bit over-priced, not sure I would go over $600. without correct grips.
Chop

 

[Göring's S&W]

They came with service grips that are hard to find

Wouldn't those grips be the same that around on the model 28? Medallion grips that reveal the frame?

The gun in question does NOT have a box. I'm not buying this to shoot, I'm buying it as an investment. From what I am reading, its one of the more collectible models in the numbered model era. I am also interested due to the nickel finish. Anyone have one of these?

 

[up196]

Wouldn't those grips be the same that around on the model 28? Medallion grips that reveal the frame?

No, the Model 58 grips/stocks were unique in that the bottom was rounded up much like the ones found on the Model 10. The 58 was the only N frame to use them.

 

[M28]

Wouldn't those grips be the same that around on the model 28? Medallion grips that reveal the frame?

The gun in question does NOT have a box. I'm not buying this to shoot, I'm buying it as an investment. From what I am reading, its one of the more collectible models in the numbered model era. I am also interested due to the nickel finish. Anyone have one of these?

The original grips were unique to the 58 and the original 520. I've heard them referred to as PC grips which as I understand it stands for "plain clothes". They are similar to the service grips that you mentioned but are noticeably more rounded at the butt.

As far as the price, I would think that you would have to have the box, accessories, original grips and a pristine example of the gun to command the price the seller is asking.

Brian~

 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Just bought a new one in nickel for $835.

 

[Combat]

Grips like this,N frame PC magnas.

 

[Sebago Son]

58 Stocks.

The correct nomenclature for the Stock Pattern used on the Model 58 .41 Magnum Military and Police is "Modified Magna". Where the "PC" term came from is any body's guess, but I doubt that Model 58's were used much by "Plain Clothes" Officers.... nonetheless the term has become common, but inaccurate parlance.... but I digress.

Information above is not correct. To be more accurate, Modifieds were standard issue on more than just the 58. The NYSP Model 520's use them also. They were available from Smith and Wesson as an after-shipping accessory as well.

Here's what a pair of "Modifieds" look like.

These are for an S-259,000 serialed gun.

If your gun is serialed before about S275,000 or so, it needs these. They are very pricey with a loose pair selling herabouts for $150 recently.

If your gun is after that number or any N-Serial then the less expensive non-diamond "Modifieds" are around just shy of $100.

Here's what they look like....

There were no -1's or later in regular production. All regular guns are 58-no dash guns. All regular production 58's were 4" Guns. It has been speculated that in Modern Production, Blue guns outnumbered Nickle guns 10 or 12: 1. This would be across the board for all models, but I think it holds true for 58's as well.

Nickle 58's are not "Rare" in the sense that Registered and Triplelocks are rare, but they are not commonly encountered either.
The last nickle 58 I bought three years ago sold for $385. It is mint, without the box, but had correct stocks. Top row, right side.

Drew
1802

 

[Dan M]

Nice array of 58's Drew, thanks for sharing some of that knowledge, I always wondered about the PC origin.

 

[toroflow1]

$950 sounds "higher than giraffe pus*y" to me without the box. Even high with the box. Course, I recently bought a nickel one for $500 (gun only). I suggest keep looking.

 

[Chuck Jones]

I think it will soon be "discovered" that nickel guns of every model are relatively rare. I doubt that 20% of any given model was shipped with a factory nickel finish.

/c

 

[M28]

The last nickle 58 I bought three years ago sold for $385. It is mint, without the box, but had correct stocks.

~Drew

In an effort to help the OP establish todays going rate, don't you think that $ 385 was below the going rate even three years ago?

Brian~

 

[up196]

Information above is not correct. To be more accurate, Modifieds were standard issue on more than just the 58. The NYSP Model 520's use them also. They were available from Smith and Wesson as an after-shipping accessory as well.

Didn't think about the 520. Thanks for setting the record straight, and providing the correct terminology "Modified Magnas."

 

[Sebago Son]

~Drew

In an effort to help the OP establish today's going rate, don't you think that $ 385 was below the going rate even three years ago?

Brian~

Yes Brian it was.... at the time a box-less Nickle 58, in fired but new new condition was probably about $450 or so in the real world.

But back on topic.... I think that minus the $100+ stocks, the gun in question is probably still $350 too high.

About the best the OP could hope for is to find a pair of unserialed Modifieds from the late 520 run to put on this 58. Unserialed is to me, at least a little better than mis matched.

Drew
1802

 

[Göring's S&W]

Thanks for all the replies

Wow thanks guys. I guess despite the relative rarity, there is not a HUGE demand for this type of gun among most gun owners. Until I read this thread, I was leaning towards the purchase but now I think I will pass on it. Supposedly the seller is putting up $800 himself to ask $900 per my friend. The seller is a friend of a friend to me. So he will want at least $850 for the gun. I wouldn't think one could be found for $500 in nickel as someone mentioned, so I should just wait. I would be buying it as an investment and occasional shooter so the moral of the story is - the deals are out there. Or one could say, patience is a virtue esp in the gun world.

PS - great looking 58s to all who shared. They don't look as good as a model 57 anyways

 

[ibewbull]

I wonder how the prices are now in 2013?
I saw one M 58 nickel with box and numbered grips with all papers in 98% condition. Thinking about it but wavering a bit.

I did NOT buy it. I invested in it.

 

[Retired W4]

Thanks for resurrecting this old thread. The 58 is my grail gun to find (again), and this gives me the opportunity to drool over those posted here. Had one in the 70's but sold it long ago.

 

[crsides]

In same condition, the 58 is now bring more than the adj sight Mod 57. Decent in the box blued examples are bringing $800- $1000. Nickel are more. I know of one NIB nickel that a friend was offered $1200 for.


Charlie

 

[charlie sherrill]

Another thing to look out for is formerly blue refinished nickel 58's. I have run across several that you have to look very close to tell they have been refinished. I actually messed up and bought one because I didn't look at it close enough. It was a beautiful factory job but it was still refinished. I have owned probably a dozen or so 58's in my lifetime but currently only have one, a San Antonia P.D. marked gun with some holster wear that I occassionally take shooting. I even carried one on duty for about three years back in the early 70's. I own several .41 magnum handguns, mostly Smith's, and recently lucked up on a unfired nickel 4" P&R mod 57 for $650.00. It came in a tattered wood box with most of the papers and the cleaning kit.

 

[glenncal1]

I just paid $650 for the gun pictured here (it is in much better condition than it shows in the seller's photo), seller threw in a box of cor-bon jhp's with the deal. Gun is an extremely sweet shooter and very accurate.