Smith and Wesson Model 320 revolving rifle - History & Value
- Thread starter JJBson58
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Where did you send to for a letter? It should have been to the Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks. The wait time for a letter is currently 4 to 5 months. Was your check cashed? I would call Mr Jinks and see if your firearm was researched or even if your inquiry letter ever was received.
Does it have the stock? Missing a stock will greatly effect the value.
B. Mower
B. Mower
If you feel you MUST talk to Roy Jinks, you can call the number to Smith & Wesson and ask for him, the historian at Smith & Wesson. However, he is VERY busy, hence the 5 month backlog. IF you call him, it just puts him that much further behind, and you will wait that much longer for your letter. I would refrain from bothering him, although he is always MOST COURTEOUS on the telephone, unless there is a egregious error with your letter when it does arrive, such as wrong serial number listed, wrong model number, etc.
I think the box must have been custom built for that revolver some time after the gun was acquired. I have never seen one like that which could be established as original. If it is custom built, the earlier it was built the likelier it is the revolver was purchased without the detachable stock; the later the box's construction, the likelier the separate stock was lost or damaged before the owner decided to take care of what was left.
Could I ask you to confirm that the barrel is 16 inches long from breech end to muzzle and omitting the cylinder? I tried to allow for perspective distortion in the image, but it looks more like 14 inches to me. If so, that may mean the gun was special ordered with a short barrel and no buttstock or that the barrel was shortened later for some reason. I have a cut down RR that now has no stock and an eight-inch barrel -- basically just a crudely fashioned target revolver that was cut out of something larger and better. The rib was milled off the barrel and the frame was contoured so that a forearm piece can no longer be attached. It's an ugly and tragic mess, but my gun and others that I have heard about are evidence that people modified these interesting firearms in unanticipated ways.
I am not sure what value to put on what I see in the picture. A complete and unmodified rifle in its original case that I know about sold for $7000 two or three years ago, but it has little of its original finish left, needs some light smithing, and the plywood and fabric case is kind of ratty after 130 years. I picked up the butchered RR I mentioned for a little under two grand. Your gun appears nice but is incomplete, so I'm guessing the package I see should be valued somewhere between $5000-9000. I can't tell if it has been refinished -- many were -- but if so that would hold collector value down. If the letter reveals interesting details -- special order configuration, sold to an interesting person, that kind of thing -- the value could go higher. It's good that you have the ammunition. That stuff is not commonly seen. If you can get value estimates from others, average what you hear from everyone and you will probably be close to reasonable valuation.
Congratulations on owning that one. The 320 RRs were a long way from being S&W's most successful model, but are certainly one of the most interesting ones.
Could I ask you to confirm that the barrel is 16 inches long from breech end to muzzle and omitting the cylinder? I tried to allow for perspective distortion in the image, but it looks more like 14 inches to me. If so, that may mean the gun was special ordered with a short barrel and no buttstock or that the barrel was shortened later for some reason. I have a cut down RR that now has no stock and an eight-inch barrel -- basically just a crudely fashioned target revolver that was cut out of something larger and better. The rib was milled off the barrel and the frame was contoured so that a forearm piece can no longer be attached. It's an ugly and tragic mess, but my gun and others that I have heard about are evidence that people modified these interesting firearms in unanticipated ways.
I am not sure what value to put on what I see in the picture. A complete and unmodified rifle in its original case that I know about sold for $7000 two or three years ago, but it has little of its original finish left, needs some light smithing, and the plywood and fabric case is kind of ratty after 130 years. I picked up the butchered RR I mentioned for a little under two grand. Your gun appears nice but is incomplete, so I'm guessing the package I see should be valued somewhere between $5000-9000. I can't tell if it has been refinished -- many were -- but if so that would hold collector value down. If the letter reveals interesting details -- special order configuration, sold to an interesting person, that kind of thing -- the value could go higher. It's good that you have the ammunition. That stuff is not commonly seen. If you can get value estimates from others, average what you hear from everyone and you will probably be close to reasonable valuation.
Congratulations on owning that one. The 320 RRs were a long way from being S&W's most successful model, but are certainly one of the most interesting ones.
I found a shoulder stock for you. I sent you an email at the address you gave me today. I saw it yesterday it is in great shape.
Good luck.
Good luck.
To Club Gun Fan (Don Mundell): Dear sir I wish to convey my sincerest gratitiude for the extensive and highly enjoyable conversation today pertaining to my Smith and Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle, case, and ammo boxs. Your knowledge not only allowed me to confirm originality and overall condition of the weapon, but also infused me with respect and admiration for our fine and extremely rare guns. I am honored that a gentleman (the owner of serial number 1 Smith and Wesson Model 320 Revolving Rifle no less), would take the time to help me in such a thoughtful and thorough fashion. Thank you. John
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John
The pleasure was all mine. I'm glad your planning on keeping your Rifle. There are many collectors that would like to have a Revolving Rifle in their collection. You have a very fine example.
The pleasure was all mine. I'm glad your planning on keeping your Rifle. There are many collectors that would like to have a Revolving Rifle in their collection. You have a very fine example.
mmaher94087
Member
"I found a shoulder stock for you." Very lucky indeed. In 50 years of collecting, I've found exactly two for sale.
I agree. I can't recall any more than two or three for sale. I was at an antique firearms dealers house Friday picking up one of the two Smith & Wesson gate logos from the Stockbridge Street plant. He let me look at all the Smith & Wesson's he had for sale. He had a drawer full of shoulder stocks. One was the Revolving Rifle stock.
If the OP wants to get a little more info on current values, he might check out Rock Island Auctions. They have several Revolving Rifles coming up in their February auction. I do not know the procedure for obtaining realized prices after the auction but am sure it is do-able. Regards, Ralph Boineau
