Should I keep it or sell it? That is the question

[RGNewell]

USPS just delivered this today, and boy was I pleasantly surprised.
This gun truly looks unfired. 38 Safety Hammerless 3 1/4" Nickel 5th Model 1939 or 1940.
The box is amazing.
Bought it to resell but I don't know. HELP!!!

 

[mmaher94087]

I'd guess the question to ask yourself is; What is more important to you, the revolver or the money? You have a beautiful, boxed Safety Hammerless, but if it doesn't interest you then why keep it? The money could go toward something of more interest.

 

[glowe]

Very nice 38 Safety, 5th Model. The highest two serial numbers in the SWCA database are 260,XXX and 261,XXX. The first shipped in 1938 and the second had no ship date recorded. You did not state what your serial number is?

The patent or clam-shell box was introduced in the late 1920s and used for most models.It seemed that the factory used K frame boxes of various lengths for much of their shipments in the 1930s. That one was probably for a short-barreled Military & Police, maybe a 2" snub-nosed revolver. All I have seen with a yellow label were nickel and blued box labels were green.

 

[RGNewell]

Very nice 38 Safety, 5th Model. The highest two serial numbers in the SWCA database are 260,XXX and 261,XXX. The first shipped in 1938 and the second had no ship date recorded. You did not state what your serial number is?

The patent or clam-shell box was introduced in the late 1920s and used for most models.It seemed that the factory used K frame boxes of various lengths for much of their shipments in the 1930s. That one was probably for a short-barreled Military & Police, maybe a 2" snub-nosed revolver. All I have seen with a yellow label were nickel and blued box labels were green.

Sorry, serial number 260990.
Box is the original.

 

[murphydog]

A membership in the SWCA would allow you to ask Roy Jinks the ship month and year. This is a hint.

 

[RGNewell]

A membership in the SWCA would allow you to ask Roy Jinks the ship month and year. This is a hint.

I have printed out the form, but with my wife in hospital haven't had time to mail it.

 

[lkabug]

Beautiful gun.
Praying your wife is home soon.

 

[RGNewell]

Beautiful gun.
Praying your wife is home soon.

Many thanks

 

[6518John]

That's to pretty to sell. Keep it even if just to get out on Sunday afternoon occasionally to rub with a soft cloth.

 

[Pine_Worker]

Beautiful gun Bobby, I'd be tempted to keep it.

 

[noyo55]

Do you need to get the money out if it? Have you found something you want more. If not keep it you will fall in love with it at some point.

 

[merl67]

A lot depends on what you collect, I took a peek at you our previous threads looks like this is a little different than the rest. The other thoughts are one how much you gave versus how much uou think you might get. Two where do you see your collection going. I have been accumulating guns for about 15 years now (promised the wife we would pay the house off first). I collected Mauser rifles hot, and heavy for quite a while also built a small WW 1 and 2 collection scratched a lot of iches. I once bought a DWM Luger knowing full well I wouldn't be able to justify keeping it had it a whole week before I sold it for just a little more than I had in it. Why did I buy it to try one out of course. I guess what I am saying is collecting taste can change at least for me it has. I don't think I will ever quit chasing Smith & Wessons because there are so many different ones to go after. If the profit margin is small I would keep this one you sure won't find one in much better condition.

 

[singleshot1891]

Keep the good ones.
Let the sub-standard ones go.
This is most definitely a good one.

WB

 

[hotshot357]

That pistol is stunning !!!!!!!

 

[reccpd101]

Beautiful gun. Hope you don't need the money for medical bills. In this condition, it will only go up in value. Praying for your spouse. Hope you all have many more wonderful years together.

 

[mrcvs]

In this condition, it will only go up in value.

Not necessarily so! Antique Smith & Wesson revolvers are about a third off their highs now with no guarantee of any increase in future, nor no guarantee that further deceleration in value may not continue. This revolver, although not pre 1899, is no exception to this trend.

Having said that, this revolver with original box is stunning. I would be proud to own it. Flipping it vs keeping it is a purely economic decision and would be based on what you have into it vs what you can get for it and that is, of course, independent of ignoring that and keeping it for purely aesthetic reasons and the uncertainty of future valuation.

 

[Richochet]

Keep it. Condition is everything.

 

[RGNewell]

That pistol is stunning !!!!!!!

Thanks, when I bought it, it said it came with original box, but no photo of the box. I was shocked when I saw the box. If I had seen the box I would have given $200 or $300 more.

 

[RGNewell]

Beautiful gun. Hope you don't need the money for medical bills. In this condition, it will only go up in value. Praying for your spouse. Hope you all have many more wonderful years together.

Thank you so much. We have been married right at 48 years and God is on our side. she first talked yesterday, I hadn't heard her voice in over 3 weeks.

 

[RGNewell]

Keep it. Condition is everything.

I've made up my mind. I have plenty of guns to sell, but not this one.
Thanks for all of the feedback