Smith & Wesson Model 48

[1891SingleShot]

Hi,

I have recently acquired a S&W Model 48 no dash. According to the SCSW, the Model 48 no dash was made for less than a year, in 1959. What I am curious about is whether or not, within the collector's circle, there is a difference in value of the different dashed numbers within the Models. Would this Model 48 no dash be worth more than say, a Model 48-2, made for about 6 years from 1962-1967? I'm just curious about this as mine is more of a shooter and I just wanted it to go along with my Pre-Model 18, bought new by my Grandpa in 1956, and my Pre-Model 17, from 1953. Here are some pics of the Model 48.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I have a 48 no dash also.

I think it would be a bit harder to find if it was what I was looking for, but I think the majority of collectors just want a "48" for the collection, regardless of change number.

Although I suspect it could be the least common of the 48's.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

That is a great looking old gun IMO.

The relatively short production period could make the price go up a bit, and anything marked -1 tends to bring higher prices.

 

[DCWilson]

I tend to like earlier production in a model range, so my psychology would lead me to favor a 48 over a 48-1. But if a decent 48-1 was available when I wanted one, I'd jump on it.

Here's a thought experiment I just ran. If I were offered my choice of a 48 and 48-1 in identical condition, what premium would I pay for one in preference to the other? I think I might go $25 more for the no-dash.

The thing is, there are way more 48 no-dash revolvers in existence than there are 48 no-dash collectors. If you have a hunch that a particular model ought to be worth a bit more than another one, there are probably other people who suspect the same. But unless at least a few of you like-minded people get into a bidding war on a single specimen, the price of one model won't differ much from the price of a later version in similar condition.

Or so say I. Other opinions will be found.

That's a nice looking revolver, by the way.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

After reading David's post, I just want to make a clarification. I didn't mean to imply that a -1 would be worth more than the OP's gun posted here, but that they as a whole do bring more money than most any other post war gun for whatever reason.

 

[Andy Griffith]

After reading David's post, I just want to make a clarification. I didn't mean to imply that a -1 would be worth more than the OP's gun posted here, but that they as a whole do bring more money than most any other post war gun for whatever reason.

That makes little sense at all. Availability and desirability should be the factors that determine pricing. I could see the effects on pricing being more model specific, but all "-1's" of all models bringing more is illogical. I'm not saying that you are wrong at all (there are some crazy people out there- both sellers and buyers) but it makes no sense at all to me.

Unless of course, a person is a "-1" collector only.

Also, what a piece is priced has no correlation to what specimens have brought when money changes hands.
At least, that's what I think when I see something priced 2-5 times higher than what I've seen a similar item actually exchange hands. I usually term items priced much higher as "bait" and the seller is "going fishing" to see if he gets a bite.

As I've heard before, "You never paid too much for anything, you just paid too soon."

I think I overlooked it, but that is a very nice 48!!!
A range report is in order.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Mod. 48 "no dash"

If I was in the market for a Mod 48, the "no dash" would be my preference only because the older guns appeal to me more, I believe the "no dash" would also be a four screw revolver which is more in line with my favorites. There has been a "no dash" revolver on one of the auction sites for some time, these folks who are trying to sell it really believe this early Mod. 48 revolver is a premium bringer according to their starting bid. I have not seen many Mod. 48 revolvers for sale regardless of the engineering change number.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

That makes little sense at all. Availability and desirability should be the factors that determine pricing. I could see the effects on pricing being more model specific, but all "-1's" of all models bringing more is illogical. I'm not saying that you are wrong at all (there are some crazy people out there- both sellers and buyers) but it makes no sense at all to me.

Unless of course, a person is a "-1" collector only.

Also, what a piece is priced has no correlation to what specimens have brought when money changes hands.
At least, that's what I think when I see something priced 2-5 times higher than what I've seen a similar item actually exchange hands. I usually term items priced much higher as "bait" and the seller is "going fishing" to see if he gets a bite.

As I've heard before, "You never paid too much for anything, you just paid too soon."

I think I overlooked it, but that is a very nice 48!!!
A range report is in order.

It makes perfect sense when you consider that overall, the true -1 guns of any model with the correct engineering changes to warrant that -1 title were made for the shortest period of time generally, and therefore are the hardest to come by.

 

[boykinlp]

That is a really nice gun. Onr day you will have to do a "family" portrait.

 

[1891SingleShot]

Thanks for all the replies. I would agree that only the collectors of specific models would probably pay more for the different dash numbers relative to the number produced. I wasn't specifically looking for a no dash, but like some others, I do prefer the earlier models, so when I saw this one, I bought it. Then when I saw it was produced for less than a year, I thought it could probably bring more than the other Model 48's.

I will get my Pre-17, Pre-18 and Model 48 out someday and take a family portrait. If only I could find a Pre-Model 16 for a reasonable price. I just might have a new niche, collecting "Pre" and no dash Models!!!

 

[DCWilson]

... a Pre-Model 16 for a reasonable price...

The last time they were reasonably priced was when they were still in production and nobody wanted to buy them!

But maybe by the standards of the day they were "unreasonably" priced even then, or somebody would have picked them up.

 

[Hammerdown]

Hi,

I have recently acquired a S&W Model 48 no dash. According to the SCSW, the Model 48 no dash was made for less than a year, in 1959. What I am curious about is whether or not, within the collector's circle, there is a difference in value of the different dashed numbers within the Models.


Thanks for any comments.

Hello 1891 Single shot
I have Two Four screw model 48's. One has a 6" Barrel with the auxillary cylinder for .22 L.R. That shipped in December 1959 and Oddly enough my 4" Version shipped in February of 1961 so although we tend to look at the Reference books for a definiative answer it is not always clear cut as the No Dash series in this case is Two years apart. Here they are...

 

[50 target]

If only I could find a Pre-Model 16 for a reasonable price. I just might have a new niche, collecting "Pre" and no dash Models!!!

YUP, and that's how it all starts. Once your mind crosses that threshhold, there is no cure. Welcome to the asylum !!

 

[gjamison]

but is there a pre model 48?

 

[Hammerdown]

but is there a pre model 48?

Hello George
No, The Model 48 was Introduced in 1959 and Model Numbering began in 1957 so all early model 48's will be model stamped 48's...