I wish I'd bought a 1917 .45ACP when they were cheap, as I was wanting to build an "Indiana Jones" replica, but I ended up with a 'blaster-grade' 28-2 instead. I paid $375 for mine, a bead-blasted reblue w/ beat-up target grips and a broken rear sight leaf.
S&W prices through the roof
- Thread starter WVfishguy
- Start date
S&W ownership and collecting is long overdue for a compiling of information of actual auction and dealer sales that reflects current and accurate sales activity.
It would seem that something along the lines of the Kelley Blue Book or the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) regional and quarterly publications is the answer. Information could be compiled and voluntarily submitted from actual sales at all large firearms auctions and large gun dealers.
What is glaringly deficient today is the lack of adequate sampling numbers of guns and models being sold. Basing a value on one or two guns seen at local gun shops or sold at internet auction is almost laughable in its determination of gun and model values throughout various parts of the country.
On any particular month I doubt if anyone on this or any other website has an opportunity to see more than two or three S&W's of any model, barrel length, finish or condition sell in numbers large enough to make even a "ball park" estimate of what all guns in its particular condition and category are worth.
Although many people come to sites like this to ask what their particular gun is worth, throwing that question out to a group of people who may or may not be qualified to answer seems risky and somewhat inconclusive to a long time collectors like me.
I don't criticize those who attempt to provide them some kind of answer. People requesting info, however, should realize some "appraisals" could be self-serving when we see "low-ball" quotes from those seeking to buy or manipulate lower prices or "high-ball" quotes from those seeking to sell or manipulate higher prices for guns they have a particular interest in selling....
Just sayin'
It would seem that something along the lines of the Kelley Blue Book or the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) regional and quarterly publications is the answer. Information could be compiled and voluntarily submitted from actual sales at all large firearms auctions and large gun dealers.
What is glaringly deficient today is the lack of adequate sampling numbers of guns and models being sold. Basing a value on one or two guns seen at local gun shops or sold at internet auction is almost laughable in its determination of gun and model values throughout various parts of the country.
On any particular month I doubt if anyone on this or any other website has an opportunity to see more than two or three S&W's of any model, barrel length, finish or condition sell in numbers large enough to make even a "ball park" estimate of what all guns in its particular condition and category are worth.
Although many people come to sites like this to ask what their particular gun is worth, throwing that question out to a group of people who may or may not be qualified to answer seems risky and somewhat inconclusive to a long time collectors like me.
I don't criticize those who attempt to provide them some kind of answer. People requesting info, however, should realize some "appraisals" could be self-serving when we see "low-ball" quotes from those seeking to buy or manipulate lower prices or "high-ball" quotes from those seeking to sell or manipulate higher prices for guns they have a particular interest in selling....
Just sayin'
My first S&W, a 19-3 cost a week's pay in 1977. Less now. Guns are great "holders of value" in more ways than one. Joe
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Jack Flash
Member
There is a flip side to that, however:
As people see S&Ws drawing big prices, it brings revolvers into the market from people who like the idea of selling something for two or three times what they paid.
Also, it's inevitable that guns do come back into the market on those occaisions when old grand dad goes to his reward and his heirs would way rather have a little money than "a bunch of old guns."
Exactly. Several dealers I purchase from have retired "scouts" that attend estate sales and auctions. They buy anything they can get at well under market and re-sell it to the gun shops. Some pass on the decent prices to their customers to keep inventory turning, others slap full boat retail on them and don't care if they sit for months. The latter seems to be more prevalent these days.
One local dealer has a 25-2, 8 3/8ths, .45 Colt in 99% for $825-a fairly rare Smith with beautiful target stocks. No takers in two months. 10 miles away another dealer had a 85% or worse, heavily shot model 28, 6 inch with Pachmyr rubbers for $699. A $375 gun for $699-and some fool bought it.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
akfishguide
Member
All of these beautiful old S&W's are worth what the market dictates. They are of superior quality compared to most of the newer versions (classics) and and still sell at a significantly lower price point than most of the newer versions. I don't see a problem, these prices are dictated by the buyers not by the sellers.
GF
Member
It's hard for people to wrap their mind around the fact that a dollar isn't worth as much, so it takes more of them to buy something.
GF
Jack Flash
Member
I agree that coming here for an appraisal of a specific revolver is pretty iffy. At best you will just get a ballpark range.
But the regulars here are from all over the country, and they visit gun shows and gun shops in their respective areas regularly. So a discussion about the value range for a specific model does have a lot of meaning, at least to me.
Maximumbob54
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Here in North Florida if it has S&W or Colt on it then be prepared to choke when you see the price tag.
Colts in Western PA are into the stratosphere. $699 for an 85% Trooper MKIII. Diamondbacks going for around the same. Neither is the pinnacle of Colt quality. Pythons? $1200-$1500. You can buy two nice S&W model 27's for less than one Python. Gag.
I don't worry about what the "market" says a gun is worth. I just worry about what I'm willing to pay for it. If that's "high" so what? I don't plan to sell it anyway.
I have 2 S&W revolvers for sale. One is a 65-2 4 inch and an M10 4 inch blued that is kinda bluing is wore out just a tad. The 65-2 asking price is $400 and the M10 is going for $250. I will be at the Grand Island,Nebraska gun show tomorrow around 11:00 a.m.- noon so,if you live around there or in Nebraska,come see me. Rich
afultz075
Member
The model 15 is one of the last guns I could imagine reaching ridiculous prices. Wasn't it a pretty popular cop gun like the Model 10's and 64's with many of them made and many of them traded in with lots of holster wear but shot only a little?
I actually just saw one for $289 the other day here in PA the other day (i'd say probably 85-90% condition). It would have came home with me but I decided to pick up a beautiful 14-3 (almost mint for a ding on the barrel) that they had for $350. I see far less model 14's than I do model 15's.
I actually just saw one for $289 the other day here in PA the other day (i'd say probably 85-90% condition). It would have came home with me but I decided to pick up a beautiful 14-3 (almost mint for a ding on the barrel) that they had for $350. I see far less model 14's than I do model 15's.
stantheman86
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I'm going to a large gun show tomorrow, so I'll have to see what's going on with prices there.....half the fun is looking, and no one is forcing me to spend anything.
If I don't like the price, I keep walking.
If I don't like the price, I keep walking.
Funny how people complain about high prices when buying, not when selling. 
NFrameFred
Member
Funny how people complain about high prices when buying, not when selling.
I know, Mike ! I kept looking for those altruistic souls who will say, "Sure, I think these old pre-27's are grossly overpriced - I'll sell all of mine to you for what I paid for 'em in 1965 ! "
Haven't found them yet . . . still looking . . . .
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would help if you posted a link to the site(s)....
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