Mike Fletcher
Member
What would be a fair price for a circa 1971 Model 16-3, Target Trigger, Target hammer, Target sights, oriinal box, papers, K frame Diamond Cokes, 98% ?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Price ? S&W Model 16-3
- Thread starter Mike Fletcher
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I think this might be a case for:
"If you have to ask the price then you probably can't afford it"
My guess is $1000-1200 would be as fair as you could get!
"If you have to ask the price then you probably can't afford it"
My guess is $1000-1200 would be as fair as you could get!
OP
Mike Fletcher
Member
Thanks.
Actually I was thinking of selling one and was wondering what was reasonable.
Actually I was thinking of selling one and was wondering what was reasonable.
If it were mine and I was considering selling it, I would most likely send it to auction.
I think S&W stopped making the diamond stocks around 1969. So maybe your gun was produced earlier, or the grips are mismatched? Also, the general consensus on this forum is that the "cokes" were N frame only. Yours would simply be K frame targets.
The Model 16 is very desirable, but I don't have a good handle on what they have been going for lately.
The Model 16 is very desirable, but I don't have a good handle on what they have been going for lately.
I think you are in the $2000+ range. The 16-3 is the last of the K-32 series and not many were made as with the earlier variations. I bought one 5-6 years ago for $1500 without the box and felt that I got a very good price on it. The others I've seen sell were over $2k.
Allen-frame
Member
Pictures or else it's just another Unicorn story.
regards ,
Allen
regards ,
Allen
OP
Mike Fletcher
Member
They are not cokes, just diamond targets. Here are some pictures. There is no holster wear at the muzzle just light reflection.
How about posting pictures of the box? Apparently some 16-3's shipped in a marked K-32/Model 16 box, and some shipped in a 14-3 box with a factory sticker marked 16-3 stuck over the end. Also, is the model number stamped on your gun a "clean" 16-3, or is a 6 stamped over a 4 like the one in the picture? Many (maybe all?) of the 16-3's were assembled using 14-3 frames that had been overstamped 16-3.
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Masterpiece
Member
Mike,
I think if the Box "Is" Correctly Serial No.'d to the Revolver & lists all the Target Features (Hammer,Trigger & Stocks) you're most definitely looking at $2000, maybe a bit more, if you find someone with serious interest!!
I'd also have to think the Diamond Targets have a good possibility of being original even though the cut-off date for them was theoretically Late-68 to Early-69 unless the Box lists the Grips as "S" which means "Standard" & they would have been Magnas!! Whatever the case may be concerning Stocks with Diamond Inserts still being available as late as 1971, you also have to remember your Revolver may have been produced earlier & laid in inventory for a short while before it was shipped!!
Another thing, if the Box has 5-Hole Corner Staples it's also a good indication the Target Stocks are original as well!!
By the way Mike, Nice Revolver & I doubt you'll have any trouble moving it if you decide to pass it on!!
I think if the Box "Is" Correctly Serial No.'d to the Revolver & lists all the Target Features (Hammer,Trigger & Stocks) you're most definitely looking at $2000, maybe a bit more, if you find someone with serious interest!!
I'd also have to think the Diamond Targets have a good possibility of being original even though the cut-off date for them was theoretically Late-68 to Early-69 unless the Box lists the Grips as "S" which means "Standard" & they would have been Magnas!! Whatever the case may be concerning Stocks with Diamond Inserts still being available as late as 1971, you also have to remember your Revolver may have been produced earlier & laid in inventory for a short while before it was shipped!!
Another thing, if the Box has 5-Hole Corner Staples it's also a good indication the Target Stocks are original as well!!
By the way Mike, Nice Revolver & I doubt you'll have any trouble moving it if you decide to pass it on!!
OP
Mike Fletcher
Member
It is a 14-3 frame with a 6 stamped over the 4. I needed a magnafying glass to see it clearly.
boatbum101
Member
Without really good pics of the whole package , we're just taking a WAG . That said I've seen high condition guns with original box , papers , tools etc change hands for over 2K . Too many varibles to give a firm quote / offer .
Every 16-3 I have ever seen is overstamped that way, which leads me to believe that most, if not all, 16-3's were built on 14-3 frames. I've expressed this theory here before: Since only 3630 K-32's and Model 16's were produced between 1947 and 1974, the gun was obviously never very popular. By the time the -3 version came along, demand was so low that S&W didn't even bother stamping dedicated frames for it. Whenever an order was received for one, they just overstamped a 14-3 frame and assembled it with a Model 16 barrel and cylinder. Same with the boxes, many of which are 14-3 boxes with a 16-3 sticker over the end. Just my thoughts...
Bigger box!
If the gun was shipped from the factory with target grips it would have been a wider box than one with Magna grips. If your gun is "pushing" the sides out it was shipped with Magna grips! If your gun is a 98% or better it shoud be priced in the high $2ks
jcelect SWCA#LM723
If the gun was shipped from the factory with target grips it would have been a wider box than one with Magna grips. If your gun is "pushing" the sides out it was shipped with Magna grips! If your gun is a 98% or better it shoud be priced in the high $2ks
jcelect SWCA#LM723
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OP
Mike Fletcher
Member
The box is properly marked K-32 Masterpiece Blue Finish Model 16 6-Inch Barrel. The label on the other end is marked 16-3 B 6 and S for the stocks. No marking for target hrigger or target trigger. My guess is the Target Stocks, Target Hammer & Target Trigger were added later. I will post pictures of the box & Model stamp / over stamp later.
By the way I do appreciate all af the information. Thnaks !
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Mike- I have a similar gun, no box and not as good condition as yours. I paid $1800. I think on GB you could probably get $2500 or so. It might be worth it to letter the gun to see if the Target S,H,T are original.
The 16-3's did not come with diamond grips, target or magnas.
The "S" on the box denotes regular grips which would have been the magnas.
In terms of scarcity, there are more 16-3s than 16s or 16-2s. No 16-1s are documented although they were cataloged.
Non original grips will detract from the price but the model 16-3s still go for around $2,000 or more in mint condition.
Pictures would help. One man's 98% is another man's 95%.
The "S" on the box denotes regular grips which would have been the magnas.
In terms of scarcity, there are more 16-3s than 16s or 16-2s. No 16-1s are documented although they were cataloged.
Non original grips will detract from the price but the model 16-3s still go for around $2,000 or more in mint condition.
Pictures would help. One man's 98% is another man's 95%.
YeshuaIsa53
Member
Keep in mind: Model 16 through 16-3, 3630 revolvers made from 1947 to
1974 and that was it. The Pre Model description states production of the K-32 Pre Model 16 started around 1946.
Heck, the K-32 Hand Ejector First Model states only 94 manufactured
c. 1936-1941.
Information from the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3RD Edition
1974 and that was it. The Pre Model description states production of the K-32 Pre Model 16 started around 1946.
Heck, the K-32 Hand Ejector First Model states only 94 manufactured
c. 1936-1941.
Information from the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3RD Edition
