S&W pre model 18 22 combat masterpiece find

[jspick]

I have found a pre model 18, 22 combat masterpiece. It is in better than 95% condition. 4" barrel of course, correct grips-they appear to have courser than normal checkering. 5 screw. Screws are not buggered up. Ser# K 176XXX. No box, no nothing, just the gun. The guy wants $700 for it.

Is that a fair price?

When was it made approx.?

Thanks, John

 

[gunlovingirl]

1953. $700 is definitely too much money for that gun!

 

[69HEMI-R/T]

Cannot tell you if the price is too high but, I will say I would be very tempted, even at that price if it is in great shape! They just do not show up for sale around here very often.

I just paid $500 for a 1964 Model 18-2 that was in LNIB shape with numbered-to-the-gun grips and only the paperwork. No box or tools. Just had to have it as it genuinely looks new.

That serial number makes it an early 1953 gun! I would try to talk him down a little but, I would probably just have to buy it!

 

[DCWilson]

Probably dates to 1953.

If I wanted a four-inch K-22 Masterpiece in pretty good shape, I'd jump on that for $700. The price seems a little on the high side compared to the Pre-17s, but four-inch models seem to be in demand across the board and I'd expect to pay a bit more to get one. If I planned on owning the gun for a while, I wouldn't give the price a second thought.

Yeah, I'd say do it.

David Wilson

 

[gunlovingirl]

I guess if you want something bad enough, price is no object. I can't see myself wanting a pre 18 bad enough to pay $700 for it. Maybe, and that's a big maybe, if it came in the box with papers and tools. Even then I'd have serious doubts about it. But I can also say that I've paid what some people might think is "too much" for things I really wanted. Just my 2¢

 

[Engine49guy]

pre 18

The bottom line is:
Would you rather have the gun than the amount of $dollars the seller is asking?
I once read somewhere that "Nobody ever payed too much for a gun, They just payed it too soon",
In other words eventually the price will be that high.

I have paid "Too soon" for many firearms, But because of limited availability I didnt want to wait.....

When it comes to rare and hard to find models there are other factors at play besides
Price, availability and condition.
Timing, Positive attitude and level of motivation seems to be the biggest deal makers.

Ego and greed are probably the biggest deal breakers.

I recently had the opportunity to buy a model 18-2 with original magnas in VG cond.
It was 3 hours away and all of the afformentioned factors were at play .
I hesitated, and it was gone.

I just dont seem to bump into M18's here in south FL. It is always,
"I had one but just sold it".

That 18-2 eventually landed in my collection when I posted locally to trade one of my model 17's for a "model 18 ONLY" .
After several tempting offers of firearms other than a Model 18,
By chance the same guy that bought that model 18-2 saw my ad and we traded.

Turns out he wanted a Target masterpiece more than a combat masterpiece anyways.
Sometimes they are just are meant to be yours.....

 

[aterry33]

When it comes to rare and hard to find models there are other factors at play besides
Price, availability and condition.

I agree. I have overpaid for guns before just because they were something I wanted and could never find elsewhere. That's not something I would do with every purchase. For example, somebody might pay $2000 more for a special paint color or stereo system in their car. Not my cup of tea. But since I love guns, I'd gladly pay three or four-hundred dollars more than a gun's worth if, for example, it's that missing no-dash 4" Model 29 in my collection that took me years to find. You get the idea.

That being said, I'm not sure a pre-Model 18 would be rare enough to justify that price unless you couldn't live without it. Check out Fugate Firearms online. I think he had a Pre-18 recently pretty much new in the box for $900 with the target grips. I think $700 is a little high for what you described.

 

[Camster]

I think that it is a 100-150 too high,maybe even 200 too high.That said, if you want a Model 18 or similar,how many are you going to encounter in Montana?To find one online,means paying the shipping and transfer fee to get your hands on it,so factor that into your decision.

 

[jspick]

Thanks for all the input. I still want more opinins, please.

So far I am leaning towards buying it. Because I don't see them but every two or three years or so around here. Smiths do go for a slight premium here because I think there just isn't that many in this part of the country as other parts of the country. This is a very nice piece.

Even those of you who advise that it is too high, I appreicate the input. It give me perspective.

One reason I am really looking at buying it is 2 years ago I bought a 17-4 95% for $425 and cleaned it up and replaced the rear sight leaf and sold it for $485. The guy who bought it sold it for $550 and the the guy who bought it sold it for $620 this spring. All were dealers at the local gun show except me. I bought it to upgrade from my 17-3 at 85% condition. I found it didn't shoot all 6 cylinders in the same place. Two of the holes shot off some. That didn't seem to matter to the guy who bought it.

Keep the opinions coming.

Thanks, John

 

[au2183]

I agree that $700 is a little on the high side, but just a little. I would pay that if I wanted one. You know if you don't buy it you will regret it later.

 

[pharmer]

If it was LNIB with the gold box and accessories, absolutely. For you to replace those items is going to cost $200. Joe

 

[BadKarma]

Buy it, they seem to be only going up in price and if you find one you like more later buy it and sell the first one or keep both.

 

[s3dcor]

jspick - I looked at that same pistol last week when it came in, there was a 6" with it with replacement grips. If I had the money I would have bought it. If you doubt the price just look at what they are trying to get for them on Gun Broker. There is a gun show this weekend.

 

[Muddyboot]

I picked up this pre 18 on Gunbroker serial number K147xxx last November for 425.00. 700.00 dollars does seem a little high to me, but if you really want the revolver, go for it.
I do see a fair amount of pre 18's out there for lower prices then 700.00. If your patient, I think you could find one at a lower price.

 

[jspick]

Ok, I have a question for all of you--by the way thanks for all of the input. I really appricate it.
The question is--muddyboot your picture shows no pins to attach the front sight to the barrel. The one I'm looking at has two pins that hold the front sight to the barrel. I'm sure the two pins are a factory way of doing things but----- tell me about the no pin vs. two pins sight attachment. I need educating..

Thanks, John

 

[Art Doc]

I think $700 is outrageous.

But outrageous seems to be the norm, these days.

I bought this one about 5 years ago for $265 and thought it an OK deal but not spectacular.

 

[nmcb3]

If you really want it then buy it. A couple years from now you will forget what you paid for it, but you will be enjoying an awesome gun.

 

[Muddyboot]

I've seen the two pins you describe on some guns, but don't know why some models have them and some don't.

 

[Culina]

$700 is not cheap but if you want it and thats the only one you have ever come across then it could be a good. Also look at how much one of the new release model 17's will run you and that might help make up your mind. Or someone might beat you to it and that can solve your problem as well.

 

[SmithNut]

Something to think about....

I have found a pre model 18, 22 combat masterpiece. It is in better than 95% condition. 4" barrel of course, correct grips-they appear to have courser than normal checkering. 5 screw. Screws are not buggered up. Ser# K 176XXX. No box, no nothing, just the gun. The guy wants $700 for it.

Is that a fair price?

When was it made approx.?

Thanks, John

As others have said, lots of variables - one person's 95% is another person's 98% and then again it could be less than......
Anyway, box and papers would be a bonus as well, the $700 is definitely on the high end.
If it were me, one thing I'd do before shelling out any $$, assuming the seller is agreeable, is to see if the gun is an original 4" gun, lots of K22 Masterpiece guns have been cut to 4", the problem with the older guns is that the barrel markings are in the same position regardless of the barrel length. $700 for a cut gun is definitely out of range.
Just a thought.

Regards,