Smith 58 altered. Value questions?

[Jamesatrange]

I was offered a Smith model 58 with S serial number that has been altered. It has a 8-3/8" 44 mag barrel and obviously the 44 mag cylinder to fit it. It is pinned and recessed. It has the presentation case with the tools but the velvet where the revolver rests has been ripped out so only Styrofoam but it's fully intact. No papers with it. The revolver is in great shape and looks very well done and taken care of. Might have been re-blued it's so nice still. Descent presentation cases in great shape go for $150.00 alone, this one isn't perfect so value maybe $100.00 What do you think it's worth as a package???? Want to know if what he's asking is something I should consider. I already have a model 29 in 8-3/8 but not pinned and recessed. Firm asking price is $700.00
Please let me know your opinions.

 

[arjay]

That's not a bad price for a shooter.Does the seller know for a fact it was altered? Guns did get out with mismarked frames.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I think arjay is most likely correct. I have a Model 29 that letters as a 44 Magnum but the frame is marked "25". If the gun you're looking at has an adjustable rear sight, I'd almost guarantee it would letter as a 29. Changing a barrel and cylinder is one the thing but milling the channel for a rear sight is way more of a challenge.

Model 58s did NOT come in fancy presentation cases either.

 

[Jamesatrange]

It does have an adjustable rear sight and it is marked as a model 58 and the barrel does read 44 mag. I forgot the 58 was a fixed rear sight. Good questions guys. The guy was told that it was change to shoot 44 mag. That is a lot of work to change a 58 the way they did. I'm close to S&W so sometimes you see older odd cool things as folks worked at S&W or had friends and got cool things done for less $. I don't recall a serial number on the frame either but the grips were on , but I was told it starts with S. Now I'm more intrigued. My interest is you can't buy new quality with a presentation box for the price. Trigger seemed very smooth with .500 target hammer and trigger.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Can't wait to hear "the rest of the story"!

 

[Jamesatrange]

I guess the only way to find the story is buying it. Not sure if I'm going to yet. Does it sound like a decent deal?

 

[arjay]

Yes,it's a good price

 

[crsides]

Could be a model 57 that was miss marked as a 58. THEN it was converted to 44 mag with cylinder and bbl change. I'm getting a headache.

Charlie

 

[19leben]

Its worth $700, and even more worth the 50 bucks for a letter from S&W.
Be nice to see what they say about it.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I would get it for $700.

 

[usm1rifle]

I guess the only way to find the story is buying it. Not sure if I'm going to yet. Does it sound like a decent deal?

Since it includes a case - Yes.

 

[Jamesatrange]

Yeah. I'm leaning towards its fair as well. I'll let you know what direction I go!

 

[one eye joe]

I THINK THAT ITS A MISMARKED MODEL 29. IF IT WAS ME, I WOULD PASS, SINCE YOU ALREADY OWNED ONE. IF YOU WISH TO BLOW $700. AND THEN LETTER IT , BECAUSE YOU'RE CURIOUS---GO RIGHT AHEAD, ITS YOUR MONEY…..

 

[steelslaver]

The $700 is hardly blown on a 44 mag. miss marked, rebarreled and reamed or whatever.

 

[Jamesatrange]

I think it really is a reworked 58 as the guy that has it is honest. It's a mint gun so it may be a great gun to get anyway. I have 3 young sons so I am hoping to create shooters out of them. They already go. So any gun I buy I have their shooting future in mind as well. What I pay now will much less than they would when they want to purchase. So that's my excuse to the wife. She rolls her eyes but also knows it's true. Lol

 

[Jim Watson]

I can't imagine the work it would take to make a 58 look like a 29.
Mismarked.
A 57 mismarked 58 and converted to .44? Far fetched.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I once saw a frame that was stamped 28-2. The barrel was stamped .44 Magnum and the cylinder was chambered in .44 Magnum as well.

I think that 58 is just a mis-marked frame.

 

[Jamesatrange]

Thanks guys. I may get the serial and call Smith. I think they'll at least tell me if it matches the model its marked.

 

[steelslaver]

It may well be mismarked but, isn't really that hard to machine a fixed sight frame to take adjustable sights. The little slot that holds the elevation nut requires you to either make a special cutter or find one. I just made one from a small 2 flute end mill. Reaming a 41 cylinder to 45 would be simple. I have done several 44s to 45.

Would it be cheap. Not if you had to pay a machinist, but many of those make less $25 an hr. Then there are guys like me who are retired and have both a lathe, a mill, time to do what they want.

Pictures of my adjustable sighted 1917 with a 4" shrouded barrel will be posted when I finish it. I need to clean up the shop and my jetboat has been more appealing than brush, vacuum and broom.

 

[jack the toad]

Even though the longer barrel lengths aren't my favorite, I think it's worth $700 if you can swing it.