Pre-29 5 screw value

[delcrossv]

Poking around Gunbroker looking for postwar guns, I started following an auction for a pre-model 29 5 screw , 6 1/2 inch barrel, nice bluing, black 44 mag box etc.

The bids went over $3k and other "buy it now's" were all in the high 2's+ . Are those real values for these? Or just wishful thinking on the part of sellers?

 

[Narragansett]

Poking around Gunbroker looking for postwar guns, I started following an auction for a pre-model 29 5 screw , 6 1/2 inch barrel, nice bluing, black 44 mag box etc.

The bids went over $3k and other "buy it now's" were all in the high 2's+ . Are those real values for these? Or just wishful thinking on the part of sellers?

I was looking at one of these the other day and the asking price was mid 3’s. I consulted some one that knows more than me and I was advised to pass. I think they are worth whatever anybody can get for them but there is a lot to know and it needs to be correct. I would not pay that for one

 

[GaryinOKC]

The bid sets the value. If someone will bid $3k its worth $3k. My opinion is a gun is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Regardless of blue book or expert opinions. With that said I passed on one a couple weeks ago for $2500 because it didn't have the correct grips.

 

[EarlB]

If you want it, yes they bring it. I paid over $3k for my mint 6.5” 5 screw and $2k for a nice 4” 4 screw. Those weren’t even auction prices but cash FTF. Cokes alone are worth $500-$600. Boxes are also worth $500-$600. I seperatly found nice boxes and correct tools for mine then thought do I want these damn boxes I don’t use or a wolf and klarr 44 HE? Sold em and got the .44.

 

[mbliss57]

A pre 29 5 Screw .44 magnum with original finish at 95% condition or better, with correct presentation and tools, factory letter, coke bottle stocks, will bring $3500 all day on auction sites. I have tried several times to own one in the mid 2K range for past 6 months just to watch the winning bids just fly past me. If you can find one for under $3500 that is in condition described above, it would be wise not to hesitate. Of course you can get lucky on a FTF when someone doesn't really know what they are going for and thinks he's getting good money at $2000 or $2500 . If you want one at that price that is how you will need to find it. But at any auction I don't see them going for less or much less than $3500. Remember condition is everything and I am talking about "minty" 95% plus guns.
Edit: Remember they only made the 5 screw for about 1 year.. 1956. So there are a finite number out there. Consider that fact that they are not all in good condition, or available to sell, (locked in grandpas safe until he passes away..) or have case and all the tools and ..they are eye candy too boot...the demand is much higher than availability. Prices will continue to rise.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Decidedly Un-Minty

This July 1956 5-screw .44 Magnum, S147233, extracted $875 from my wallet at the Phoenix Crossroads show in early December. All matching, it's wearing a decent set of cokes, too. Cleaned up OK, needs mechanical work (timing and cylinder gap). It fits nicely in my accumulation of well used shooters. Letter on the way, hoping it shipped to a famous sports writer but more likely a distributor or sporting goods retailer. Funny thing, I see WAY more pristine 4 and 5 screw .44's ranging from $3500 to over $5000 than overlooked shooters like this one.

 

[mbliss57]

This July 1956 5-screw .44 Magnum, S147233, extracted $875 from my wallet at the Phoenix Crossroads show in early December. All matching, it's wearing a decent set of cokes, too. Cleaned up OK, needs mechanical work (timing and cylinder gap). It fits nicely in my accumulation of well used shooters. Letter on the way, hoping it shipped to a famous sports writer but more likely a distributor or sporting goods retailer. Funny thing, I see WAY more pristine 4 and 5 screw .44's ranging from $3500 to over $5000 than overlooked shooters like this one.
View attachment 372463 View attachment 372464

You stole that gun... buy a lottery ticket. Even in shooter condition that should sell for 2X what you paid! Congrats. Thats the deals I am talking about too. They will always be non auction finds. Was that from a dealer or from a private seller selling their own small collection?

 

[The Gila Bender]

mbliss57 - Purchased from a private seller on Sunday during the final hour of the show following a bit of friendly negotiation. I had scoured every table and glass case that weekend and there were lots of very nice S&W's for sale, price commensurate with condition of course. However this particular shooter fit squarely in my pre-war and pre-model original condition collecting interest and I was looking for an older .44 Magnum like a 29-2 for range and field.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Cases and Tools push the prices

Having the correct presentation box and goodies with a 4-screw or 5-screw .44 Magnum, as well as the original Coke Bottle stocks, really pushes the asking prices into the stratosphere. As much as I would like to own a minty 5-screw, I cannot justify the expense. But there are obviously plenty of collectors out there that can and do...maybe as an investment. I've been looking for an orphaned black case for my early 4-screw, but even the few that I've seen have been in so-so condition and ridiculously priced (IMHO). The early .44 Magnums are beginning to enter into the price realm of Triplelocks, Registered Magnums, and pre-war .357 Magnums...Heaven help us if they try to keep up with Colt Pythons!

 

[mbliss57]

Having the correct presentation box and goodies with a 4-screw or 5-screw .44 Magnum, as well as the original Coke Bottle stocks, really pushes the asking prices into the stratosphere. As much as I would like to own a minty 5-screw, I cannot justify the expense. But there are obviously plenty of collectors out there that can and do...maybe as an investment. I've been looking for an orphaned black case for my early 4-screw, but even the few that I've seen have been in so-so condition and ridiculously priced (IMHO). The early .44 Magnums are beginning to enter into the price realm of Triplelocks, Registered Magnums, and pre-war .357 Magnums...Heaven help us if they try to keep up with Colt Pythons!

Hawg Rider you are not wrong in your thinking. A 5 screw Pre 29 is really a collectors gun due to pricing now. If you want a shooter then look for a 29 not a pre 29 they are much cheaper and shoot just as good. Maybe better with most early engineering changes as enhancements not just cost saving measures.

 

[delcrossv]

At this point, I'm just glad I like I frames. This N frame craze is too rich for me. I have some modern N's that are purpose guns (hunting etc.) but I can get a whole bunch of little guns for the price of one of these.