S&W Model 52-1 value

[stuntmedic]

I recently inherited a very clean S&W model 52-1 target pistol with two magazines, it’s in great shape with no rust and the blueing looks great. The serial number show a date of manufacture between 1963 and 1970. Unfortunately it has no box.
I wonder if some of you that know about this particular model could help me with the value.
Pics added and that’s not the original box.
Thanks very much in advance.

 

[C3Ranger]

Photos would help...

 

[Sevens]

All three versions of the S&W Model 52 exist in an odd place in the market… on one hand, these are phenomenal handguns and some of the finest to ever wear the classic S&W emblem, but the issue is that they will only operate with a particular ammunition that has not been mainstream since the very early 1990’s and could almost be described today as “obscure.”

Most of us that still shoot these pistols are loading our own ammo and it truly is the ammo that keeps all iterations of the 52 far less popular than it might otherwise be.

I believe that most of them trading hands are doing so between $1,200 and $1,500. At the gun shows I attend, sellers ALWAYS have lofty prices on them and the same guns are there at every show in perpetuity.

 

[6string]

I have always admired that S&W committed to building a dedicated .38 TARGET pistol intended for nobody else but the competitive Bullseye shooter.
There’s plenty of guns out there. They don’t all have to be for service/carry use.

S&W model 52s that are actually being bought, sold, and used are to be found amongst the target shooting community. There was a very recent discussion about current Model 52 prices on the Bullseye forum.
Everyone involved in the discussion agreed that realistic value range tends to be in the $850-900 range for any 52 that is in used condition. A number of members even offered up a few for sale within that price range.

The sky-high prices are for unfired guns complete with box, papers, and accessories.

I’m glad there are guys who appreciate and shoot these, and that they are still easily available for fairly reasonable prices.

 

[Troystat]

I think Sevens is correct, I had been wanting one for a long time and ended up paying about 950 for one not quite as clean as yours. If had not bought mine and saw yours locally I would have paid 1200 in a heart beat.

 

[22hipower]

I don't see them for sale very often. I'd think $1000-$1200 is a realistic price where I shop, might be tagged higher but a nice one would probably sell in that range. I have one, shoot it occasionally, won't sell it. And factory wadcutter ammo isn't on every gun store shelf as others have said. I load my own but do occasionally find a box at a gun show. The magazines are worth $150 or so.

 

[Kp321]

52-1’s don’t seem to bring as much as -2’s because of fear or breaking an extractor with no spares available. You will not break an extractor unless you drop the slide on a chambered round. ALWAYS feed from the magazine and there is no problem. All that being said, I would never trade my two -1’s for a -2. The triggers and fit and finish on the -1’s are better IMO.

 

[Curio909]

That should be around $1000-1200.

 

[stuntmedic]

Thanks very much for all of you guys input, it is greatly appreciated. I think I am going to list it for $1500 after having it looked at by a local “expert” telling me it was in over 95% condition, although I can’t tell a single bit wear anywhere visible to me and it does have two magazines.
Thanks again to all!

 

[Sevens]

There are a couple places where 52’s often show wear.

Where the hammer smacks the frame tang every time the slide reciprocates and cocks it is one place to look. So you look top-down on the tang. There should always be some kind of mark here, but a very pronounced mark kind of shows evidence of use.

Also, the MSH on many 52’s shows finish wear somewhat easily from lots of time in a shooter’s hand.

The breech face surrounding the firing pin should be an obvious place to look for wear.

The frame around the stocks will often show wear if a previous owner had installed and used rubber grips rather than the OEM walnut stocks.

The rear of the slide can and often will get dinged when some ham-fisted handler reassembles the pistol after a field strip, so look at the rear of the slide near the bottom for a ding in the finish from the ejector.

 

[stuntmedic]

Great to know, thanks so much.