So I have had a Smith &Wesson handed down to me by my grandfather for several years now. There is a high end ( at least to me) gun shop in the next town. They had a gun similar to mine for $1200. I understand condition age how many were made ect all play into pricing. Well to me the coolest thing about my gun is the original box and receipt where I guess my great uncle paid $63 and change for it in 1953. I was showing it off today to a customer. Who owns a gun store he offered me $400. So it got me thinking and that led me here. According to the box it's a S&W mp with two inch barrel fixed rear sight. The bottom of the butt has C 161. I already put it back in the safe so I will get the other numbers tomorrow. Looking more to age the gun but value not a bad thing to know. Thank you and I have enjoyed reading a few of the threads
Think I’m in the right place
- Thread starter Moose074
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sweetwilly45
Member
Whatever you do don't sell it for 400. Any Smith in good condition is worth much more than that.
sweetwilly45
Member
Forgot to add, the box if numbered to the gun would be worth the 400.
Cool, C161 is close enough if we know the number of digits in the sn.
'C' prefix started in 1948 (C1). So somewhere between 1948 and 1953 when you GF purchased it. I'm sure someone here can get you closer.
It's worth significantly more than $400, especially with box and docks.
'C' prefix started in 1948 (C1). So somewhere between 1948 and 1953 when you GF purchased it. I'm sure someone here can get you closer.
It's worth significantly more than $400, especially with box and docks.
The two inch post-WWII M&P's typically bring more money than the other barrel lengths. And if it has a round butt, add a few more dollars. Fewer two inchers were made, and they're at the top of the cool scale for M&P's. Depending on condition, and with the orginal box, yours would likely sell for at least twice what you were offered. And no amount of money can trump the sentimental value of having been owned by your grandfather.
Mark
Mark
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Welcome to the forum. Nice gun to have handed down from family. Hope to see some pictures.
Thank you for the quick responses it had 3 digits after the 161. As I said before never considered selling it. Until I saw the price in the store. Even then it was my daughter's favorite gun to shoot now she prefers my 9mm. She likes my 45 ACP but I had work down and if not careful you can double tap very easy. Anyway when I retire I plan on full time rving. So the thought is tempting. I tell you though it's cool to see peoples face when they see the receipt for gun and holster for $6x.ok . When wife is up I will post the rest of the numbers
Welcome to the Forum from Pennsylvania!
Looking forward to seeing some pictures......
Looking forward to seeing some pictures......
Things like the box and the original receipt make it more valuable. Being handed sown from you Grandfather makes it priceless to you.
OLDSTER
Member
Hi from North Dakota 
You are definitely in the right place. I came here a little over a year ago looking for input on my Grandfathers gun which turned out to be a M1905 M&P target. I don't have the box or anything just the gun but it's priceless to me.
Congrats on a fine family heirloom and finding this place which is truly a good place to be.
Congrats on a fine family heirloom and finding this place which is truly a good place to be.
Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! We love to drool over pictures of S&W guns and to covet them. How about some pictures? Here are a couple of sisters to your GF's gun.
If you don't really need money which is fleeting.
Your daughter sounds like a good candidate to become it's caretaker.
Your daughter sounds like a good candidate to become it's caretaker.
Welcome. Is your gun worth $1200 is a good question that can be answered by watching that gun shop revolver. First, determine the differences between your 2" M&P and the store. Then find out how long that gun has been in the shop without selling. Last, check back in a month and see if it is still there. Anyone can ask any amount of money for anything, but it has to sell in order to know that at least one person is willing to pay the price.
Going on Gunbroker is another great way to tell what this model and barrel length is actually selling for. You can sign up, go online and using Advanced Search "Completed" Auctions. That is where you either find guns that sold for a price or guns that closed with no bids. Try starting out with "38 Wesson 2", then use the filters on the left to get down to what you have.
As for value, my guess is that you would have to have a very special gun to be worth $1000. Using a 2016 source, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition, you will see that condition is everything. First, it is stated that a 2" is worth 25% more than other barrel lengths. An Excellent condition (98%) 2" "C" series is listed at $750, while a Good condition (75%) 2" is listed at $375. An ANIB is listed at $1500. Prices today may be more, but still in the ballpark.
Lastly, there were a lot of 2" "C" series M&Ps made. Using our SWCA database, the listings show the following:
48% were 2"
33% were 4"
12% were 5"
7 % were 6"
Why the listing shows almost half of "C" series listed were 2" is a question, but it certainly indicates that the 2" was not scarce.
Going on Gunbroker is another great way to tell what this model and barrel length is actually selling for. You can sign up, go online and using Advanced Search "Completed" Auctions. That is where you either find guns that sold for a price or guns that closed with no bids. Try starting out with "38 Wesson 2", then use the filters on the left to get down to what you have.
As for value, my guess is that you would have to have a very special gun to be worth $1000. Using a 2016 source, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition, you will see that condition is everything. First, it is stated that a 2" is worth 25% more than other barrel lengths. An Excellent condition (98%) 2" "C" series is listed at $750, while a Good condition (75%) 2" is listed at $375. An ANIB is listed at $1500. Prices today may be more, but still in the ballpark.
Lastly, there were a lot of 2" "C" series M&Ps made. Using our SWCA database, the listings show the following:
48% were 2"
33% were 4"
12% were 5"
7 % were 6"
Why the listing shows almost half of "C" series listed were 2" is a question, but it certainly indicates that the 2" was not scarce.
It surprises me to think that nearly half of the "C" prefix M&P's were built with 2" barrels, but I can't argue with that database. It should also be pointed out that there were around a million M&P's produced during the approximately 20 years the "C" serial prefix was used. As far as market value, those from the earlier years of production tend to bring more money than those from the later years, but of course there are exceptions...
Mark
Welcome to the Forum.
Looking at post # 12, is yours a square butt (left) or a round butt (right)?
Looking at post # 12, is yours a square butt (left) or a round butt (right)?
