Questions on a 4th change M&P

[fungunnin]

I was looking at a M&P at a local shop that I think is a 4th change M&P, but some things seem odd. It is a 5" square butt nickel in the serial range 417XXX. There was also a fair amount o writing on the top of the barrel. I didn't get it written down as i was just stopping in. I didn't think anything of it till I got home and tried to look it up in SCSW and it lists the square butt as "scarce" and a premium for nickel but no mention of the writing on the top of the barrel.
Overall the finish was in pretty rough shape. The nickel was fairly milky and chipped in a few places. The grips were a pearl steer's head and rough as well. They were asking 299 .... I though it was too rough but after reading about it I am kinda curious what you guys think.
What did I find? Is it anything more than a beat up M&P?

 

[fungunnin]

I was looking at a M&P at a local shop that I think is a 4th change M&P, but some things seem odd. It is a 5" square butt nickel in the serial range 417XXX. There was also a fair amount o writing on the top of the barrel. I didn't get it written down as i was just stopping in. I didn't think anything of it till I got home and tried to look it up in SCSW and it lists the square butt as "scarce" and a premium for nickel but no mention of the writing on the top of the barrel.
Overall the finish was in pretty rough shape. The nickel was fairly milky and chipped in a few places. The grips were a pearl steer's head and rough as well. They were asking 299 .... I though it was too rough but after reading about it I am kinda curious what you guys think.
What did I find? Is it anything more than a beat up M&P?

 

[Art Doc]

Sounds like a standard M&P from the mid to late 1920s in less than great condition. The stocks sound interesting but the gun is not rare.

Barrels from this period do have several lines of stamping on the top. Mine does, anyway.

Depending on if the stocks are valuable I would think $150-$200 on such a gun. But I have been accused of making unrealistic estimates on many occasions.

I believe the square butt notation in the SCSW is in error and has been mentioned before on the forum. The square butt was the standard configuration for this model and isn't rare.

 

[mikepriwer]

SP is right - the square butt was the common configuration, and is not rare.

Your assessment is correct - its a beat-up M&P. In good condition, a 5" nickel
is more scare than a 6" blue, but even there, the premium is negligible. What you
are referring to as writing on the top of the barrel is presumably the patent
date roll markings .

The gun is nothing more than a shooter. $150 is all that it is worth.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[popgun]

If you want it offer $200-$250, you may get it for the lower price if the owner knows you. Most likey, they'll go down to $250. No such thing as a $150 shooter in todays open market.
popgun out

 

[npd136]

Here's what I got for $100 at the local pawn shop and I would not have given much more.

 

[popgun]

ok nice find I would have grabed it also. what condition would you rate it and do you see deals like this every day. I'm not saying that a steal can't be found, but condition is king when setting value. If you were to sell it would you sell if for $100 or expect more? was it $100 otd or did you pay sales tax?
popgun out

 

[mikepriwer]

No such thing as a $150 shooter in todays open market.
Here's what I got for $100 at the local pawn shop and I would not have given much more.

The point I was trying to make is that shooters are shooters, and there is no point in overpaying
for them. Sure, someone who doesn't know any better may come along and pay the asking price,
but that is the nature of the gun business. Lots of shops like to put high prices on shooters,
but if one understands what is going on, then one should not pay those prices. If the dealer is
into the gun for too much, then let him resolve his problem with someone else.

Clearly, some guns are going to look better than others, but if there is nothing special about
a gun, and all it is is a good-looking shooter, then price is going to be a problem.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[popgun]

I agree with you there Mike. A shooter is not a collectable, and dealers always seem to offer low when buying and sell high if they can.

 

[mikepriwer]

Pg

Yes - it's for exactly these reasons, among others, that I stay away from
shooters, and try to encourage others to do the same thing - unless they need
one or two to shoot. A collection of shooters, to me, is an oxymoron.

As I was suggesting, there is this grey area, where the guns have no significant
collectible value, but by their condition they are better than shooters. Again,
I avoid these guns, mainly because its a no-mans land.

There is an old expression in the gun business: There is a butt for every saddle.
If one waits long enough, someone will come along and buy it. That is not a
business model I would want to adopt !

Later, Mike Priwer