Nickel 17-3 Sells for $11,005.00

Kenny A said:
I have one of these, all though it did not come from S&W. It was returned to S&W on Nov. 1st 1984 to refinish in Nickel, The invoice is in the box with all papers and tools. The price to refinish was $70.00.View attachment 181806 All though this no way compares to an original.
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That is a very nice gun. Tell us more about the front sight which looks like a King-style red dot insert
 
A very scarce gun; congratulations on the acquisition. I've seen a few rare guns like this and I'd rather have a gaggle of 'normal' versions.

.22 Kit Gun Pinto, or three kit guns?

Nickel K22, or 10-15 blue steel K22's?

Half-moon baby chief or a handful of chief specials?

Different strokes! I'd rather pay a boatload for a one or two digit chief special than for a sack full of model 36's.
 
bk66 said:
What a beautiful revolver, makes me wonder what this set might be worth in today's market.....
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They will definitely be worth some $$$$, but it's the rarity of the factory nickel 17 that brings out the big bucks. You may have a rare one there too.

If you really want to get a good idea on the value of your guns, start a new post with good close-up pictures of all the guns. If you do, please show some of the case (the outside of it too) as well.
 
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bk66 said:
What a beautiful revolver, makes me wonder what this set might be worth in today's market.....
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Looks like a retirement fund to me!:D

Really nice set there, man!

And bigl1911, that is a beautiful and rare pistol you got. I'm glad you got it and I know you will take care of until it's time for it to move on to the next (future) owner.
 
Not that anyone shoots their nickel Model 17's but it's interesting that the factory didn't install a blued front sight to match the blued rear sight. I would imagine that the nickel front sight, even with a slightly "frosted" finish wouldn't be the best thing for shooting. Those sure are beautiful guns.
 
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bigl1911 said:
Sometimes you have to spend too much or you spend a lifetime talking about the one that got away...
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Especially when you live in California!! We all know the additional challenges that we face here trying to pursue our S&W passion, such as out of state sellers steadfastly refusing to sell anything to California... a tip of the hat to Jack the Dog for not running with the rest of the pack on that (no pun intended).

While not in the same rarified air you're operating in, I've overpaid for certain S&W's that I've wanted badly, and time has proven again and again that I was right in my decision.

No need to be apologetic, justify or rationalize it... it's one of those "once in a lifetime" opportunities to be relished and enjoyed.
 
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I know where there is a brand new Model 18 with factory nickel in it's original box. It was bought from a Smith & Wesson employee. I wonder what that would sell for?
 
Club Gun Fan said:
I know where there is a brand new Model 18 with factory nickel in it's original box. It was bought from a Smith & Wesson employee. I wonder what that would sell for?
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I think right about now would be a good time to find out!
 
There are over 7.2 Billion people on the earth right now.
15 of these guns built. That translates into a 1-in-486 Million chance of owning this gun.

To put that into perspective, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are said to be 1-in-175 Million.

You are 2.7 times more likely to win the Powerball jackpot than to own one of these guns.

I have no interest in shiny guns, but I can appreciate the rarity of it. :cool:
Plus, it's fun to think of the staggering odds of ever owning one.
 
bigl1911 said:
I keep commenting and should just watch and be quite.. Still..

To be clear I never purchase a gun for investment - then again I don't throw money away either always in a foolish manner.. I buy based on what I like and what resonates first and foremost. The cost factor comes next and my pain tolerance for price of ownership adjusts according to rarity and given opportunity. I'm not justifying simply explaining my logic since some are confused and can't figure it out. You are absolutely correct we have to compare apple and apples. A better comparison and I say again a Nickel RM and the Nickel 17-3 because they are both special order only guns. I am working off memory at the moment 177 Nickel RM using random numbers 10 percent or less with Certs and we will assume 1/2 in 90% plus condition. For argument sake let's say 9 guns total. There are 19 Nickel K22 17-3 made.. I am going to be generous 50% near perfect. We are talking about 9 guns. Would someone on the forum pay 11k for a 95% RM nickel? I say in a heartbeat. The only factor separating the two in value is supply versus demand relative to someone that would want a 17-3 nickel gun versus a RM Nickel. This is what defines value today. Yesterday it was somewhere between 7k and 11k at hammer. Today is another story but there are 2 bidders out there one (#3) threw the towel in at about 7k and would have gone higher if it didn't pass 10k in my opinion and the second bidder at 10,900 finally stopped at his tolerance point.. Anyway you look at it worst case an easy 10k value gun IMO.
On another note there was a comment earlier a nickel gun 17-3 can be made in a basement. Sure no problem. I will use a Shelby GT 350 R Mustang for an example, Take a blown 65 6 cylinder mustang give me about 50k (maybe a little more) and a little elbow grease and I will build you a fire breather replica in my garage like new off the showroom floor. You couldn't tell the difference.. You want the real thing? 800k plus today...
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I'm fairly new here but at the ripe old age of 67, I can tell when somebody is worth listening to and when it's time to run away. You Sir, have valuable advice to share. Thanks for coming forth. I was told many years ago,"If you see something that MIGHT make you happy or bring enjoyment , GET IT, you'll be dead a lot longer than you've been alive". If anyone is 50 or younger they can NOT pay too much for 1st Gen SAAs, Pythons, or RMs. Just pay the man and move on. Congratulations Sir!!
 
Bigl1911:

You just bought a great gun. You are happy with your purchase and, really, that is all that counts.

I hope that you will consider bringing the nickel M17-3 to the S&WCA Symposium this year at Spokane, WA. Lots of S&WCA members (including me) would like to see it up close.

Congrats!
 
Lee's Landing Billy said:
I'm fairly new here but at the ripe old age of 67, I can tell when somebody is worth listening to and when it's time to run away. You Sir, have valuable advice to share. Thanks for coming forth. I was told many years ago,"If you see something that MIGHT make you happy or bring enjoyment , GET IT, you'll be dead a lot longer than you've been alive". If anyone is 50 or younger they can NOT pay too much for 1st Gen SAAs, Pythons, or RMs. Just pay the man and move on. Congratulations Sir!!
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Thank you for the kind words... I am 56 next month....:)
 
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ordnanceguy said:
Bigl1911:

You just bought a great gun. You are happy with your purchase and, really, that is all that counts.

I hope that you will consider bringing the nickel M17-3 to the S&WCA Symposium this year at Spokane, WA. Lots of S&WCA members (including me) would like to see it up close.

Congrats!
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I will.. Plan on having (maybe) a k display including my K32 First Model I found earlier last year...
 
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