Pre-27 Cokes (Modified)

[Retired W4]

One of my gun show guys presented me with a trade today. He had a beautiful 3 1/2" pre 27 (1953) with rosewood cokes. The problem is the grips had been modified by rounding off the bottom for a more tapered base. They felt good in my hands, but they were modified PERIOD. How much does this reduce the value. Ken L was there to look at the gun and he said, as I remember, 75%. Ken might correct me on this one. It also looked as though the rear of the grip frame was tapered as well, but that is a different issue. No pictures because my camera was not with me.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I don't understand what you are asking.Are you wondering how the mods affected the GUN value or the GRIP value? I would say the grips being modified drops the price by about $200 so you could by a set of Diamond Magna's to make the gun "right".The grips themselves are worth about $50 or so,If they where not touched you would be looking at $400+ for the grips.And by Rosewood "Cokes" do you mean smooth Cokes or Checked cokes? Now the grip frame being messed with impacts the value FAR greater than the grips,The frame can not easily be fixed.

 

[Hondo44]

If the tapering/rounding of the stocks is into the checkering the value is far more diminished that if it isn't. Value about $100 and $200 respectively.

 

[Crabtree]

A while back I purchased a Pre-27 with modified magnas...thread here http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/224517-modified-grips-357-magnum.html

The following comments are just my opinions. I have learned that "value" is very subjective when it comes to S&W collecting. While I think most collectors will typically agree that originally configured, unmodified original finish guns are the benchmark for collecting...that does not necessarily mean that modified guns are always less collectible or inherently devalued.

Depending on the specific gun and the personal tastes of a specific collector...the "value" may not be affected at all. In some instances the "value" might be enhanced. I can tell you I received private messages regarding my gun that indicated, at least to some collectors on this forum, the value was not diminished at all.

I'd like to see pictures of the gun in question. Without pictures I don't think I can give you an educated opinion on how much the value is impacted (which would only be an opinion anyway). If you can use the modifications for leverage, then you should. Especially if you are buying it for speculation.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

If the tapering/rounding of the stocks is into the checkering the value is far more diminished that if it isn't. Value about $100 and $200 respectively.

You are willing to pay $200 for stocks that Bubba messed with?

 

[-db-]

You are willing to pay $200 for stocks that Bubba messed with?

Why not? If Cokes are near or at the top of the list regarding collector value and rosewood is near or at the top of the list regarding desirable factory wood types, rosewood Cokes are obviously quite valuable. If the modification was done well (we don't know they were "Bubba'd" and shouldn't assume the work is bad), the stocks should still hold quite a bit of value, not as much as if they were unmolested but certainly more than the $50 you stated above. The screw, escutcheons, medallions and washers alone are worth almost that much.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I guess I just always assume the work is bad becuase I have yet to see any modified grips that I thought "Wow,They should of came like that" I stay far far away from anything that has been messed with.

 

[Retired W4]

My friend was supposed to send pictures of them to me, but that has not happened yet. Hopefully a phone call will remedy all that.

 

[Retired W4]

I just found out my friend sold the gun while going out the door yesterday, so the whole issue is moot.