Model 952
- Thread starter jdowd
- Start date
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Numbers are extremely difficult to nail down. One thing we can do is to define what 952's exist.
The first guns were the 952 no-dash and these were exclusive to Banger Distributors. These are absolutely rare, reportedly only 200 were made. These have no grip safety/firing pin lock. They have a "billboard" large 952 on the left side of the slide. Price on these is too hard to accurately pin down. NIB/mint, untouched with all original package? Start at $3,000 and climb.
Next was the 952-1 "billboard." Pistol looks basically the same as the no-dash. All the markings on left side are laser etch, this model now has a grip safety that defeats the firing pin lock. I don't have production numbers but there are likely over a thousand and it would be my opinion that this particular one is the most plentiful of all 952's. NIB/mint, unfired with all original packaging? $2000 is bottom dollar, climbs from there. Solid used, with wear and missing original PC aluminum case? $1,500 to $2,000 is ballpark.
After that they made some visual changes and released another 952-1, this one no longer has laser etchings on the left side and has the more familiar stamping. This gun has no "billboard" 952 logo and may appear a little cleaner and less flashy. It is otherwise exactly the same functionally as the previous 952-1 Billboard. Again, no numbers but experience tells me that these are in shorter supply. The market doesn't appear to add any premium to them.
The last model was the stainless 952-2 and this also saw the introduction of the 6-inch long slide and 6-inch HEAVY long slide models. The 5-inch 952-2 is a gorgeous pistol and the slide contour is different than the earlier blued pistols. Price for a 5-inch, again, 100% package is definitely above the earlier 952-1. Figure $2600+ and beyond.
The 952-2 6-inch long slide models command serious money... "catastrophic" in the opinion of some folks. Any long slide 952-2 under $4000 is unheard of and the high water mark that I witnessed on Gunbroker is $6,525.
Beyond that are some rare 952-2 and 952-3 made exclusively for the European market, these occasionally show up in North America but for the purpose of this discussion almost cease to exist. The 952-3 is exactly the same as the 952-2 except it's chambered for the 9x21, a popular European substitute for the 9x19 in countries where "military calibers" are restricted. (Sheesh)
952's can obviously appear anywhere, including the buy/sell area here on our forum. However, here in the last 5 years, there is one place that is the uncontested king of the 952 marketplace: GunBroker, and if you think any other venue is close, you'd be mistaken.
The first guns were the 952 no-dash and these were exclusive to Banger Distributors. These are absolutely rare, reportedly only 200 were made. These have no grip safety/firing pin lock. They have a "billboard" large 952 on the left side of the slide. Price on these is too hard to accurately pin down. NIB/mint, untouched with all original package? Start at $3,000 and climb.
Next was the 952-1 "billboard." Pistol looks basically the same as the no-dash. All the markings on left side are laser etch, this model now has a grip safety that defeats the firing pin lock. I don't have production numbers but there are likely over a thousand and it would be my opinion that this particular one is the most plentiful of all 952's. NIB/mint, unfired with all original packaging? $2000 is bottom dollar, climbs from there. Solid used, with wear and missing original PC aluminum case? $1,500 to $2,000 is ballpark.
After that they made some visual changes and released another 952-1, this one no longer has laser etchings on the left side and has the more familiar stamping. This gun has no "billboard" 952 logo and may appear a little cleaner and less flashy. It is otherwise exactly the same functionally as the previous 952-1 Billboard. Again, no numbers but experience tells me that these are in shorter supply. The market doesn't appear to add any premium to them.
The last model was the stainless 952-2 and this also saw the introduction of the 6-inch long slide and 6-inch HEAVY long slide models. The 5-inch 952-2 is a gorgeous pistol and the slide contour is different than the earlier blued pistols. Price for a 5-inch, again, 100% package is definitely above the earlier 952-1. Figure $2600+ and beyond.
The 952-2 6-inch long slide models command serious money... "catastrophic" in the opinion of some folks. Any long slide 952-2 under $4000 is unheard of and the high water mark that I witnessed on Gunbroker is $6,525.
Beyond that are some rare 952-2 and 952-3 made exclusively for the European market, these occasionally show up in North America but for the purpose of this discussion almost cease to exist. The 952-3 is exactly the same as the 952-2 except it's chambered for the 9x21, a popular European substitute for the 9x19 in countries where "military calibers" are restricted. (Sheesh)
952's can obviously appear anywhere, including the buy/sell area here on our forum. However, here in the last 5 years, there is one place that is the uncontested king of the 952 marketplace: GunBroker, and if you think any other venue is close, you'd be mistaken.
Thank you again Sevens, for another extremely well written and informative pistol, "story/life history".
I was hoping you would enlighten me and others about the 952.
Jim
I was hoping you would enlighten me and others about the 952.
Jim
skjos
Member
I had these stashed away in my computer files:
They've come down quite a bit from that one goofball that paid $6500. After that happened, anyone who had one immediately listed it with a 6k+reserve and let it rot for months. Lately they can be had easily around $4000.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/754329503
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/751998391
And almost forgot this one that went for $3680 in March - Auction Item
There was another that went for 3400 on GB a few months ago but the link expired. That guy actually had it up for a couple of months with a high reserve before he took an offer and ended it with a BIN.
As for 5" 952's your estimates are fairly accurate though if you want to see a really poor bidder, here's one that will boggle... https://www.gunbroker.com/item/754668221
Stentor
Member
Skjos, I believe I have seen that letter before and I have noticed a couple inconsistencies. It could be as simple as a typo, but I own a 952-1 and it's SN is KAZ042x and that is at odds with this letter. I also find it curious that Roy doesn't mention the second stamped version of the 952-1.
Oh, one other point I forgot to mention in my post above with regards to the 5-inch 952-2: most have the DAB sn prefix but lately I have seen some UCF prefix guns appear, and some of these are shown in very late (current?) light brown/tan plastic PC cases.
If I have to guess (we have to do that a lot), I'd say these UCF prefix guns were hold-backs or otherwise built years back but more recently got released.
As to the different odd prices we see them sell for sometimes... no skin off my back. Odd occurrences are NOT the market, they are merely single data points in the market. I don't get wrapped around the axle too much when I see someone "over pay." It occurs to me that not everyone is on the same earnings scale, I know that there are folks who potentially earn "952 money" in an hour. The convenience of seeing and clicking and owning a particular gun is easily worth it to them at whatever price whether we can stomach that price or not.
Suppose I'm merely saying that you see a turkey who is clueless -- I imagine someone that genuinely has no need whatsoever to know or care what the current 952 market looks like.
The guy who just bought that Colt Walker, or even that Singer 1911? A guy with multiple houses and more cars than he'll ever be able to drive? The guy with an Honus Wagner T206... do you think $5,000 is too much to drop on a 952 to that guy?
Oh, one other point I forgot to mention in my post above with regards to the 5-inch 952-2: most have the DAB sn prefix but lately I have seen some UCF prefix guns appear, and some of these are shown in very late (current?) light brown/tan plastic PC cases.
If I have to guess (we have to do that a lot), I'd say these UCF prefix guns were hold-backs or otherwise built years back but more recently got released.
As to the different odd prices we see them sell for sometimes... no skin off my back. Odd occurrences are NOT the market, they are merely single data points in the market. I don't get wrapped around the axle too much when I see someone "over pay." It occurs to me that not everyone is on the same earnings scale, I know that there are folks who potentially earn "952 money" in an hour. The convenience of seeing and clicking and owning a particular gun is easily worth it to them at whatever price whether we can stomach that price or not.
Suppose I'm merely saying that you see a turkey who is clueless -- I imagine someone that genuinely has no need whatsoever to know or care what the current 952 market looks like.
The guy who just bought that Colt Walker, or even that Singer 1911? A guy with multiple houses and more cars than he'll ever be able to drive? The guy with an Honus Wagner T206... do you think $5,000 is too much to drop on a 952 to that guy?
Oh, and another interesting Gunbroker note about the high-buck 6-inch long slide 952-2. Yes, the big $6,535 spawned copycat offerings, but NOBODY was more persistent than one guy. He repeatedly listed his -- a year and a half I believe. I'm sure we all thought he was nuts or dreaming. Right up until October 2nd, when it sold for $6,200.
That buyer... (or that seller even) still happy? Regrets? I cannot say. Really, all that I think I know about him is that he hasn't shown up here to ask us if we think he's nuts.
That buyer... (or that seller even) still happy? Regrets? I cannot say. Really, all that I think I know about him is that he hasn't shown up here to ask us if we think he's nuts.
I agree, I don't get the frequent posts about somebody who was foolish because they paid too much. What do I care what another person paid, its none of my business as far as I'm concerned. I guess it just makes the posters feel smart or superior. Many people seem to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Now about those people who post about the $200.00 Registered Magnum they bought in a thread about screwdrivers...
Now about those people who post about the $200.00 Registered Magnum they bought in a thread about screwdrivers...
I agree, I don't get the frequent posts about somebody who was foolish because they paid too much. What do I care what another person paid, its none of my business as far as I'm concerned. I guess it just makes the posters feel smart or superior. Many people seem to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Now about those people who post about the $200.00 Registered Magnum they bought in a thread about screwdrivers...
While I don't care what someone else pays it does effect the market, at least short term, when someone pays too much so that every seller raises their price accordingly. I'm familiar with Keynesian economic principles but it can be frustrating waiting for prices to come back to earth after someone overbids on an auction.
What you just said is exactly the opposite if the person who is sitting, waiting and watching is a potential seller.
I will continue to argue against the phrases "overbids" or "pays too much." If the subject gun were an M&P Compact 2.0 or a S&W 460XVR -- as in current production and available from multiple venues, "paying too much" can be more easily/accurately argued.
When we are talking about a handgun that's been out of production for a decade or more and cannot be found and purchased on demand, only available when they appear and condition varies, the water muddies.
To use a recent active subject from another area of this site, how much is "overbid" on a 1969 Corvette 427? For me, if it's over $10,000 then I'm out.
I will continue to argue against the phrases "overbids" or "pays too much." If the subject gun were an M&P Compact 2.0 or a S&W 460XVR -- as in current production and available from multiple venues, "paying too much" can be more easily/accurately argued.
When we are talking about a handgun that's been out of production for a decade or more and cannot be found and purchased on demand, only available when they appear and condition varies, the water muddies.
To use a recent active subject from another area of this site, how much is "overbid" on a 1969 Corvette 427? For me, if it's over $10,000 then I'm out.
My gun is the 952 with the large "952" engraved on the slide. It is said by the Blue Book that only 200 were made. Mine is NIB, unfired, with the original cardboard shipping carton, untouched by human hands, literally.
Think its about time to list it.
Think its about time to list it.
Why be silly?
It sounds like you have the "no dash" version. First run gun. 200 guns in that run sounds about right.
I guess a short run might entice some but not me. I always felt they stopped because the (considerable) improvements made it a less desirable model. I have -1s, -2s, and a long slide, never even considered a no dash but that's just me. Usually when I see any gun advertised as rare I don't bother to read the rest. Just means the seller thinks he is going to score.
