Need to help my great aunt

[PeteMitchell]

My great aunt, who doesn't live within driving distance and doesn't know a thing about firearms (literally nothing... like she doesn't know what a cylinder is) needs help identifying her late husband's collection of S&W revolvers.

If I could see them, or teach her how to swing open the cylinders to check for model numbers(if they have them), I would, but she doesn't even want to touch them. And trying to teach her to take pictures and email them to me is also out of the question. She was given a list that her husband hand wrote, so that's all I have to work with for now.

If anyone can help me identify and value them, I'd greatly appreciate it. She's afraid of being screwed by some other (conniving) relatives in the liquidation of the estate.

Here is the list I have:

1. S&W .38 Special - Chiefs Special - 2 in. Barrel - Serial# 85J3xx (the xx is 2 numbers, and yes, that's a "J" after the first 2 numbers)
2. S&W .38 Special - 6 in. Barrel - Serial# 1445xx (the xx is 2 numbers, no letters)
3. S&W .38 Special - 4 in. Barrel - Serial# 3896xx (the xx is 2 numbers, no letters)
4. S&W 32 (?) - 3 in. Barrel - Serial# 3765xx (the xx is 2 numbers, no letters)

I plan on visiting in a month or so, but the other conniving, money hungry relatives are heading there this weekend to "help". Any information I can give her will be better than nothing. Thank you so much for your help!!


P.S. - If this thread should be in the older hand-ejector section, please let me know. Since I have very little info, I figured I'd take a shot here first.

 

[A10]

It really, really helps to have pictures and model numbers if there are any available. Also, http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/326457-identify-your-gun.html, is really helpful. Any idea of what kind of condition they are in?

I know that the first one is from 1971-72, as it's a "floating J" Chiefs Special. I'm of no help with the others without my SCSW beside me....other folks here will know.

 

[PeteMitchell]

It really, really helps to have pictures and model numbers if there are any available. Also, http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/326457-identify-your-gun.html, is really helpful. Any idea of what kind of condition they are in?

Yeah I know how to identify them if I had possession... but I don't have any more info than that list at this point. Pictures: she doesn't even have a digital camera or camera phone. Haha

I know it's a pain... and I wish she was able to help more from her end but she just doesn't understand and can barely hear me anyway.

Regardless, thanks for the info on the Chiefs Special!!

As for condition, I think they're probably all in "good" condition... all definitely shot... good maintenance by a gun lover... and safely stored.

 

[CDROBERTS]

It'd be safe to say if the guns are in great shape (98%) that she has 2300 or so there. If boxes that helps.
"Good condition" (80-85 %) halve that amount.
So tell her to hang on to them until you get out there.

She doesn't have a wining lottery ticket with any of them, but they are desirable if in great shape.
Someone will buy in ANY shape, but obviously not at top dollar.

 

[pineappleshooter]

Have her lock them up while the "relatives" are there. Went through a similar situation when my Great Grandad passed. My Dad and one of his Uncles were helping with the arrangements and such while the other Uncles were helping themselves to all the guns, knives, tools, etc....Actually ended up being a fist fight in the driveway between two of my uncles - not a pretty sight.

 

[A10]

Have her lock them up while the "relatives" are there. Went through a similar situation when my Great Grandad passed. My Dad and one of his Uncles were helping with the arrangements and such while the other Uncles were helping themselves to all the guns, knives, tools, etc....Actually ended up being a fist fight in the driveway between two of my uncles - not a pretty sight.

My wifes stepdad had more than 200 firearms that disappeared after his death. His daughters boyfriend took them and sold them. None of the money went back into the estate, and there was never any valuation made of the collection.

It's tough to get the police to even take a report in this situation, as there is always the "he said, she said" aspect, and all they have to do is claim they were given to them before his death. Ether lock them up, or give them to someone who will care for them. If she wants to sell, then she will get fair prices here.

 

[george_lehr]

It may not be helpful, but I'll provide some guesses based on what I see in the S/N appendix of the SCSW for various models.
S/N 1445XX is a 6" .38 Special Hand Ejector Military & Police model made between 1909 - 1915 (S/N range 146900 - 241703).
S/N 3896XX is a 4" .38 Special Hand Ejector Military & Police model made between 1915 - 1942 (S/N range 241704 - 700000).
S/N 3765XX is a .32 Hand Ejector 3rd model made between 1911 - 1942 (S/N range 263001 - 536684).
I'm certainly no expert on S&W S/Ns, so if someone out there knows my guesses are way off, please speak up.
I agree with CDROBERTS and pineappleshooter gave good advice.
George

 

[PeteMitchell]

It may not be helpful...
I agree with CDROBERTS and pineappleshooter gave good advice.
George

That's very helpful! Thanks! I didn't know they were so old, wow!

Also, to CDROBERTS and pineappleshooter, thanks for the sound advice. I hope she can keep them locked up. I definitely don't want to get there and find an empty safe (there are also several rifles, shotguns and other pistols).

 

[george_lehr]

From what I see, newer guns would have letters in the S/Ns, which is the basis for my guesses.
George

 

[PeteMitchell]

My wifes stepdad had more than 200 firearms that disappeared after his death. His daughters boyfriend took them and sold them.

Tough break... I hope I can avoid that kind of situation!

And yes, If I can make it there before the guns disappear, I'll definitely try to sell them here for her (after buying my favorite of the bunch of course).

 

[george_lehr]

Being "so old" doesn't necessarily mean higher or lower value. You might try asking for input from the "S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961" section of the forum.
Good luck.
George

 

[Muley Gil]

Are you sure of the serial numbers? If your aunt is reading the numbers to you off the butts, make sure she includes any letter prefixes, like "K", "S", "D", etc.

 

[alaskavett]

Sorry for your loss.. That said, do you know if any of them are loaded? Is there anyone near there you can trust to at least photo them and hold them safely till you can get there? Kyle

 

[PeteMitchell]

Are you sure of the serial numbers? If your aunt is reading the numbers to you off the butts, make sure she includes any letter prefixes, like "K", "S", "D", etc.

Thanks for the reply. She isn't reading them off the guns, she's just going off of a hand written list that her late husband wrote. I know they're all pretty old though, so I think the #'s are right.

 

[PeteMitchell]

Sorry for your loss.. That said, do you know if any of them are loaded? Is there anyone near there you can trust to at least photo them and hold them safely till you can get there? Kyle

Thanks, Kyle. I doubt any if them are loaded. I'm trying to get an old friend to drive out that way this weekend to try to help by doing just that... No confirmations yet.

I don't think the other relatives will actually take them this weekend because they don't even know I'm involved yet... And I've coached my great aunt to play it smart and act like they might be given some of them when she's done cataloging everything, etc etc... So hopefully she can stall for the next month.

Staying positive.

 

[Tom_R]

I am going to include in my will specifically what I have and exactly WHO gets what in terms of my firearms and any of my other collectibles like coins pocket watches and anything else.

I hate seeing and hearing people fighting over stuff like this. It is ridiculous.

 

[Squarebutt]

In which part of the country does she live? Would she be willing to have a trusted member of this forum inspect and photograph them?