Reimported Gen3 Smith&Wessons

[stansdds]

Oh, dear, how sad you make me. I had an Israeli Mauser upon which they had obliterated all of the original markings (think Germany here) so that all that was left was a serial number and on the wood stock there was an IDF star and believe me you had to look for it. The rifle was re-barreled to .308 Winchester and shot GREAT!

It was 30 years ago, but I picked up a Mauser K98 at a Richmond, VA gun show. It was an import, the stock was military, but lacked markings except for a faint burn marking that might have been a Star of David. The receiver had already been drilled and tapped, a scope mount and cheap, 4x scope installed and the action had been epoxy bedded. It was sold to me as being chambered in 308 Winchester. The price was right, I think it was around $150, and it came home with me and became something of a project.

I cut down the military stock and put on a rubber butt pad, refinished it, and put on a better scope. It is an accurate rifle, but it leaves a little dimple on case shoulders. I inspected the chamber and found that it had been sleeved. I suspect the barrel was actually a 30-06 barrel. When and where it was sleeved is a mystery, but whoever did it did not do it in a perfect manner.

I shot it enough that there is now a small crack in the stock at the back edge of the receiver. I have considered rebarreling it and putting it into either another wooden stock or a synthetic stock, but that sort of work gets expensive.

 

[JS Esq.]

I was once invited to a birthday party where all guests were asked to prepare a 3-minute TED Talk-style presentation. Sounds weird, but it was a lot of fun and learned some cool stuff. I chose to present on the history of my Israeli Mauser.

Here's some photos I used. You'll see I wasn't kidding about the condition - S/243 Israeli Mauser - Album on Imgur

 

[KWIndy]

I have a 5903 in VERY good condition that has a Century Arms stamp. I E-Mailed Century arms and gave them the serial # asking if they knew the history of it, they responded and said it came back into the states from Israel.
From the condition it appears this was never carried or fired much, I have the original (recalled) grips that are in great condition.

I think it's cool I have a pistol that has traveled the world and ended up back here in the states, in great condition, in my safe. It will live on and be enjoyed by me and the next owners.

 

[toddstang]

To me it's not like these guns will be thousands of dollars, at least in our lifetime so I don't consider them "Collectible" I consider them shooters. If you have a premo unfired 3rd Gen, you can't take it to the grave with you. Someone will buy it at your estate sale really cheap ( Like I have done in the past) and shoot the hell out of your unfired gun.
Just because a gun has import marks or forced serial #'s shouldn't distract you from buying it and shooting it.
Don't be that guy that just lets a shiny and clean 3rd gen sit in your safe till you die.
Also, no one is going to walk up to you at the range and be like " Oh thats a cool 59 series you have but, oooohhh!!!! It has import marks!!!!!

 

[stansdds]

I have a 5903 in VERY good condition that has a Century Arms stamp. I E-Mailed Century arms and gave them the serial # asking if they knew the history of it, they responded and said it came back into the states from Israel.
From the condition it appears this was never carried or fired much, I have the original (recalled) grips that are in great condition.

I think it's cool I have a pistol that has traveled the world and ended up back here in the states, in great condition, in my safe. It will live on and be enjoyed by me and the next owners.

Some re-imported firearms come back in excellent condition, some were ridden very hard and put away wet. Luck of the draw.

Since yours is in excellent condition, but does have an import stamp, it has no collector value, so there is no harm in using it. I would not abuse it, but I would not hesitate to use it.

 

[Sgt911]

I never understood why original US manufactured and serialized firearms have to be import stamped. I did buy three Smith revolvers from CAI that were not import stamped. They had Spanish writing on tags attached to them. A member here said the might be from Puerto Rico.

 

[stansdds]

I never understood why original US manufactured and serialized firearms have to be import stamped. I did buy three Smith revolvers from CAI that were not import stamped. They had Spanish writing on tags attached to them. A member here said the might be from Puerto Rico.

BATFE regulations, that's why. They want to know which firearms left this country and which firearms have reentered. The stamp also indicates the firearm met all the current BATFE requirements regarding imported firearms, that is, not fully automatic or select fire and having a barrel that meets length requirements.

 

[KWIndy]

Some re-imported firearms come back in excellent condition, some were ridden very hard and put away wet. Luck of the draw.

Since yours is in excellent condition, but does have an import stamp, it has no collector value, so there is no harm in using it. I would not abuse it, but I would not hesitate to use it.

Don't worry, I enjoy shooting it!

 

[S&W59]

To me it's not like these guns will be thousands of dollars, at least in our lifetime so I don't consider them "Collectible" I consider them shooters. If you have a premo unfired 3rd Gen, you can't take it to the grave with you. Someone will buy it at your estate sale really cheap ( Like I have done in the past) and shoot the hell out of your unfired gun.
Just because a gun has import marks or forced serial #'s shouldn't distract you from buying it and shooting it.
Don't be that guy that just lets a shiny and clean 3rd gen sit in your safe till you die.
Also, no one is going to walk up to you at the range and be like " Oh thats a cool 59 series you have but, oooohhh!!!! It has import marks!!!!!

To that I can only reflect on 1948 through about 1955 when German P08, P38, and C96 pistols came into the country from Germany. They were sold locally in a barber shop, out of a barrel in the corner, for $5.00 a piece. Flash forward 60 years and theyre going for thousands. Aside from SigSauer and the 1911's I don't know many gun-makers still making all metal guns. Even beater' and 'shooter' grade vintage S&Ws are going for 400 bucks or more today. Frankly, I still have a number of holes in my collection, so the fewer people collecting Gen1-3 Smiths makes the selection and price better for me better. I'm sure there were people in the 1960's scoffing at people buying Lugers to collect them. Because most S&Ws don't have the historical gravitas of the P08 and P38, they won't achieve that price range but they're already increasing in price from what they were some years ago.

 

[Green Frog]

To that I can only reflect on 1948 through about 1955 when German P08, P38, and C96 pistols came into the country from Germany. They were sold locally in a barber shop, out of a barrel in the corner, for $5.00 a piece. Flash forward 60 years and theyre going for thousands. Aside from SigSauer and the 1911's I don't know many gun-makers still making all metal guns. Even beater' and 'shooter' grade vintage S&Ws are going for 400 bucks or more today. Frankly, I still have a number of holes in my collection, so the fewer people collecting Gen1-3 Smiths makes the selection and price better for me better. I'm sure there were people in the 1960's scoffing at people buying Lugers to collect them. Because most S&Ws don't have the historical gravitas of the P08 and P38, they won't achieve that price range but they're already increasing in price from what they were some years ago.

This is what I was getting at in my previous post on this thread. I just didn't say it as well. Us older guys are starting to experience a lot of sticker shock. I'm already looking at those Brazilian 1937s that ought to be $199 for special selection, Model 28s that should be available for building special projects for $225 NIB, etc, etc, and wondering what happened. I remember laughing at a crazy guy at a gun show 25 years ago asking $350 for a nickel Model 10. Never say never when it comes to rising gun values.

Froggie

 

[LVSteve]

I still cannot believe that I helped the guy next to me at an auction buy an Israeli Mauser that also had a Czech lion on the receiver. I'd already spent a bunch of money that day, so I gave advice freely rather than buying even more stuff. I also let a nickeled Molested Ballerina go to another guy in the room. I was the one who explained to him that 11.35mm was 45 ACP.

 

[jemsj4]

I have purchased a few guns that were traded in by Israel. All functioned fine. I got a 59, 6906, 6904 & a few CZ 83. One CZ mag had Israeli markings. The 6906 & 6904 were in very good shape. The 59 & CZ 83's were in good shape.