Model 66 values?

[njl]

I have a friend considering selling a couple of 66's:

1) 66-1 2.5" barrel, round butt, new in the box (w/ cleaning brush, screw driver, paperwork)

2) 66-1 2.5" barrel, round butt, fired some, includes box and above accessories

Both of the above have original wood stocks (he's the first owner, hasn't messed with them).

3) 66 no-dash 4" barrel, square butt, fired, no box, original wood stocks (as far as we know...he can't remember if he bought this one new or not but bought it in the 70s or 80s). Later no-dash, I assume based on the black rear sight assembly.

He asked me to help figure out values for these for private sale. Any ideas?

 

[DocB]

Your friend has likely picked a good time to sell. A buyer would consider himself fortunate to find one of the 66-1's with the 2.5 inch barrel in the $800 out the door range. . .especially the unfired one. The boxes and accessories definitely help. Now for the really good news (for your friend), these boxed snubs can easily break the $1000 mark in today's market. I know this all sounds stupid, but the on-line market has done this to desirable Smiths. The 4 inch gun with no box? I'd say around $700 OTD. Just a guess. I've spent the day visiting gun stores in this area and talking with the owners regarding their on-line sales. To say I left with a stunned look on my face would be putting it mildly. $1000 seems to be the new breaking point for so many Smiths that I could pick up for $400 a year ago.

 

[5Wire]

I have a track on the snubbies. The BBGV has the 4-inch about 10% less.

Smith & Wesson 66 2-1/2 inch barrel. Revolver in .357 Mag. Blue Book of Gun Values (36th Edition) indicates between $578 in 95% condition and $650 in 98% condition for this gun. I have 98 recorded prices for this model gun from $423 to $1095 over a period of 4 Yrs 4 Mos ending April 2, 2016. The average price as of that date was $700. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $614.

Based on the data I have:

68% fall in the range $568 through $833

95% fall in the range $435 through $965

The higher of either of those two ranges is where I'd expect to place the snubbies you describe.

Here's a 66-5 I picked up:

 

[flintsghost]

I have 2 66 no dash's, a 66-1 that are all 2.5" barrels and a couple more that are 3" but later production. I keep an eye out for them. Recently the prices for guns in nib condition that are being asked are around $1100. Fired with box and papers somewhat less. The 4" are fairly common and not as desireable and are much less in the $600 to $800 range. The higher price for the earlier ones that have a stainless rear sight and no red ramp. Right now due to all the concealed carry permits being issued and people wanting guns that conceal better, the shorter barreled guns get more interest.

 

[loeman]

Your friend has three very desirable guns. I sincerely hope you will be able to purchase one or more of them. I think you've been given some good pricing advice. However, I would hope that a friend to friend, face to face deal could be worked out where you both are happy since you will be able to avoid a bunch of taxes and fees that are associated with online and LGS sales. Good luck.

 

[Tom_R]

On an auction site, all three are at least $800 guns.

Pinned and recessed 66's were only made for about 10 years, and they are super cool guns.

I had to pass on a 66-2, 2.5" last week. I am saving up for something specific.

Your friend has excellent taste in revolvers.

Try to get one if you can.

 

[njl]

I already have a 66 no-dash 4" and though, IIRC, from a what's been improved/cheapened perspective, when I researched this some time ago, the -1 is the most desirable version of the 66, I'm not really in the market for another, especially a short barrel version. In fact, I have a few guns I really need to let go before I acquire any more.

 

[Twiki357]

A model 66-1 with the 2.5” barrel (Fired) sold on Gunborker early this month for $955.
The last couple of months, 4” barrel 66-1s were selling for $750-$800.

 

[njl]

Initially unknown to me, the fired 2.5" 66-1 was also apparently dropped at some point.

How much does something like this detract from its value? With the right grips, that could be totally hidden...but other than that, it seems like one of the few places such a ding can't be polished out of a stainless gun.

 

[DocB]

You can work down that back strap ding and make it virtually go away if you know what you're doing and spend a lot of time with it. I would have to spend at least 3 hours on that (maybe more) while sitting in front of the TV in the evening. It's just metal and very easy to work with.

 

[Zipdog]

You can disregard most of the above values. Private sales are usually lower than the hyped up internet sales and in store sales. As for the backstrap damage I would deduct $100 below a fired gun price. With that kind of damage an unfired gun value means nothing.

 

[njl]

You can disregard most of the above values. Private sales are usually lower than the hyped up internet sales and in store sales. As for the backstrap damage I would deduct $100 below a fired gun price. With that kind of damage an unfired gun value means nothing.

That's the one that has been fired. The new in the box one really is new in the box and "unspoiled" This one that was shot and dropped was also carried concealed for a number of years AFAIK. My initial wild guess was minus $150-$200 for such damage.

DocB, how would you smooth that out without losing the ribs on the back strap?

 

[Zipdog]

That's the one that has been fired. The new in the box one really is new in the box and "unspoiled" This one that was shot and dropped was also carried concealed for a number of years AFAIK. My initial wild guess was minus $150-$200 for such damage.

DocB, how would you smooth that out without losing the ribs on the back strap?

I like your deduction better than mine.

 

[5Wire]

You can disregard most of the above values. Private sales are usually lower than the hyped up internet sales and in store sales. As for the backstrap damage I would deduct $100 below a fired gun price. With that kind of damage an unfired gun value means nothing.

Those are silly claims.

First, you have no way of knowing about private sales of whatever model you think you're talking about. They are, after all, private and neither the buyer or seller is under any obligation to report to you even if they might somehow know who you are.

Second, "hyped up internet sales and in store sales" you mean actual sales do not reflect market conditions? I, for one, am insulted by that claim of yours.

Third, you offer no evidence to support your statement about loss of value. Why would anyone pay attention given any of these faults?

The original poster refers to some valuable revolvers. Ultimately their selling prices will be determined by how much a buyer is willing to pay and by the seller's evaluation of any offers or counteroffers.

 

[njl]

The original poster has some valuable revolvers. Ultimately their selling prices will be determined by how much a buyer is willing to pay and by the seller's evaluation of any offers or counteroffers.

Nope...they're not mine. I really am just trying to help a friend figure out reasonable asking prices for guns he's considering letting go. If they were mine, the NIB 66 wouldn't be for sale...but I'm not the type who can resist shooting a new (to me) gun, so I wouldn't have NIB guns in the safe. If I buy a gun, it's always been because I want to shoot it, and usually have some shooting purpose in mind for it.

 

[5Wire]

Nope...they're not mine.

Oops...

Of course, I misremembered. Fixed.

 

[Zipdog]

Those are silly claims.

First, you have no way of knowing about private sales of whatever model you think you're talking about. They are, after all, private and neither the buyer or seller is under any obligation to report to you even if they might somehow know who you are.

Second, "hyped up internet sales and in store sales" you mean actual sales do not reflect market conditions? I, for one, am insulted by that claim of yours.

Third, you offer no evidence to support your statement about loss of value. Why would anyone pay attention given any of these faults?

The original poster refers to some valuable revolvers. Ultimately their selling prices will be determined by how much a buyer is willing to pay and by the seller's evaluation of any offers or counteroffers.

Can anyone tell me what percentage of used gun sales happen on the internet and gun stores? Anyone have a number? What percentage happen in private sales?

 

[5Wire]

Can anyone tell me what percentage of used gun sales happen on the internet and gun stores? Anyone have a number? What percentage happen in private sales?

You don't know either datum which, after all, proves my point. No one knows but guesses abound. Irrelevant.

 

[sheepdawg]

I already have a 66 no-dash 4" and though, IIRC, from a what's been improved/cheapened perspective, when I researched this some time ago, the -1 is the most desirable version of the 66

I'd have to disagree with this statement at least when it comes to the 4" versions. IMHO the early 66 no dashes with the stainless sights would be the most desired versions.

 

[njl]

What I meant was based on these revision differences:

66 (1970): Stamping of each model.
66-1 (1977): Changed the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder.
66-2 (1982): Eliminated pinned and recessed, slightly lengthened cylinder.
66-3 (1986): New yoke retention system/radius stud package/hammer nose bushing/floating hand.
....

The 66-1 seems the best put together.

BTW, my well used 66 has the stainless rear sight assembly.