S&W Commemoratives

[22 Short]

I stopped by the local Cabelas and saw the model 19 Texas Ranger commemorative revolver and knife the other night. I then got online and looked at some others such as the Border Patrol model 19, and Pennsylvania State Police and I'm sure there are others. The one at Cabelas was selling for $950 and was gone today when I stopped back.

I had them take it out of the case for me the other night and it had a nice feel in my hands. I thought the smooth grips would feel slippery but they were very nice and overall just a great feeling gun.

I'm curious if these are highly sought after relative to the normal model 19, and do they tend to sell for a higher value or does the commemorative stuff not change value much?

I know Colt made so many commemorative SAAs and 1911s they don't seem to sell as well the stock models.

Anyone have any thoughts? and was $950 a good price for one of these? I'd like to add a model 19 to my collection.

 

[A10]

I think 950 is high, even given the current popularity of the older Model 19s. As far as commemoratives, they can be collectable depending on condition, model, caliber, and number produced.

 

[DocB]

Most people don't like the commemoratives. I got one from the late 1980's a few months ago. It's a 44 magnum in the nicest presentation box I've ever seen. When I posted a picture here, it was mostly ignored. So, I took it out and shot it. They just made so many of them. I wound up searching on the internet to find sellers "trying" to get $1200 to $1400 for it. I guess the lesson is to pay the same as you would for a standard gun. I was into it for $600 so I didn't care much. Wound up with a good shooting gun.

 

[jackvs1]

Let's see all the commemorative guns!!

 

[DocB]

Let's see if I can find a picture of mine. There it is. They only made 350, but nobody really cares about who it was made for. I figured the grips and box were worth $300. Subtracting them I only have $300 in the gun which makes me pretty happy.

 

[Engine49guy]

A commemorative Combat Magnum may add a premium for someone that either collects them or to a person searching for one for sentimental reasons but S&W made quite a few .

1 of first 100 Model 649


PS , I like the knife combo set but for $950 you might still find a 4 screw Model 19 no dash with diamond targets.

 

[boykinlp]

I don't have one, but I have always liked the model 19 Texas Ranger commemorative revolver and knife, especially the engraved model. Maybe one of our members will post theirs here.

 

[yfdcap]

I will play along. LAPD model 19.

 

[22 Short]

I grew up in Western Pennsylvania so I've always liked the idea of having one of the Pennsylvania State Police commemorative. The price inmost of those I've seen is on the wrong side of $1,000 and that is just a bit too rich for me since I just want a nice shooter.

One of these days I'll find one that I like and can afford or justify paying for.

Thanks for all of the responses.

 

[gutterman]

I had a Tx ranger set at one time. Paid $650 for it and there wasn't a scratch or mark on either the gun or knife. In perfect shape. I sold it to my brother in law. Now I wish I'd kept it. I had always been told the commemorative sets don't sell as well as non-commemorative. Not sure why...I think they're special.

 

[WCCPHD]

NC Highway Patrol 50th Anniversary Commemorative

From 1979. According to a friend who worked for the distributor that brokered the deal with S&W these guns were a series of firsts. The first Model 29 Commemorative S&W did. The first time they used acid etching for the engraving. And allegedly they were ordered to not be test fired at the factory.

 

[colt_saa]

I stopped by the local Cabelas and saw the model 19 Texas Ranger commemorative revolver and knife the other night. I then got online and looked at some others such as the Border Patrol model 19, and Pennsylvania State Police and I'm sure there are others. The one at Cabelas was selling for $950 and was gone today when I stopped back.

I had them take it out of the case for me the other night and it had a nice feel in my hands. I thought the smooth grips would feel slippery but they were very nice and overall just a great feeling gun.

I'm curious if these are highly sought after relative to the normal model 19, and do they tend to sell for a higher value or does the commemorative stuff not change value much?

I know Colt made so many commemorative SAAs and 1911s they don't seem to sell as well the stock models.

Anyone have any thoughts? and was $950 a good price for one of these? I'd like to add a model 19 to my collection.

In today's market $950 is top dollar price for a standard model Texas Ranger. If you are looking for a model 19 shooter, this particular Commemorative might be the wrong place to look since it appears to have a good following.

There are many threads on this firearm here on the Forum

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...memorative-model-19-3-a.html?highlight=ranger

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...xas-commemorative-value.html?highlight=ranger

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...ved-texas-ranger-19-3-a.html?highlight=ranger

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/282479-19-3-texas-rangers.html?highlight=ranger

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...ice-dept-commemoratives.html?highlight=ranger

There are LOTs more threads. The SEARCH option is your friend

 

[cisco0072]

I bought a Model 19 Texas Ranger Commemorative myself last year and it was in NIB condition, had all the papers and accessories. Wood box and gun didn’t have any scuffs and gun looked to be unfired etc.. I paid $1100 for it. Seen them on online auctions starting around $800 and go to about under $1200…

I bought it strictly to become a part of my Model 19 collection, so rarely ever shoot it. Love these gems!

 

[Spaxspore]

125th Anniversary edition 25-3

 

[yfdcap]

Not sure why some folks don't take to the commemoratives. I get some have more personal value to some than others. Still, they are usually NIB, very we'll taken care of and usually come with very nice boxes. I would love to get ahold of one of those Carolina 44 mags or any pinned 44 commemorative.

 

[bigl1911]

Personally I love certain commemoratives… I have several but I do not buy them for an investment.. I just like them… This being said, there are some that are very desirable - a Texas Ranger complete unfired in the box nib is hard to find and expensive. Once you shoot it they become an average priced Model 19 but new complete they are expensive…

 

[TDC]

Here are some of my 125th Anniversary Commemoratives. The first picture is a cased gun showing the revolver, the Jinks book and the medallion.

The second picture shows a consecutive numbered pair. I have another that has been a shooter for many years. Because people do tend to shy away from the commemorative guns they are often an outstanding bargain, not as an investment so much, but as a desirable shooter. I have one I have shot since they were made in 1977.

Many commemorative guns often came with an excellent display case, very special grips, a book (125th), a matching numbered knife (Texas Ranger), and other subtle amenities such as a pinned barrel or pinned barrel and recessed cylinder on some offerings.... The quality of the bluing was often exceptional as well.... I like them!!

 

[yfdcap]

Very nice TDC.

 

[Aircrewman]

Condition.... It will matter some in re: some commemoratives. Also, the type of commemorative, as has been noted. Now in the matter of the Texas Ranger, I think that I would have ponied up the $950 for it, as long as it had the right equipment as was issued with it. And, if it hadn't been shot extensively. I know that the factory made quite a few but, still, they are "limited" and they were very, very nice as far as commemoratives go. I remember seeing one just after they came out. Wanted it... didn't have the money.

Haven't seen many since and that was in 1973. I know that they are seen frequently on Gunbroker but I want to see one live, as it were. So, yeah, I might have brought out the VISA to buy this one. Maybe it's just because it's a Model 19-3....! Although, it does have that cut portion of the trigger guard...! I thought that was a rather classy feature not found on any other factory gun that I am aware of. Still looking for one myself... Am waiting for one to show up on the forum. I haven't seen one since I signed on to the forum a few years ago. I want one.

 

[xray97]

A unique 125th Anniversary Commemorative. Factory engraved but NOT the Deluxe 125th Anniversary Edition.