TTSH What 3rd gen did you see at the show?
- Thread starter 18DAI
- Start date
I've never seen one up here in person.
Despite my well-known preference for stainless steel 3rd Gens, it's one I would be very interested in if one ever showed up locally in decent shape. 
But GaryS would likely beat me to it. He drives fast! 
Jeppo
Member
Thanks for the comments guys. My wife is tired of hearing, "I think we did well on this one".
Nice when I might have been right.
Nice when I might have been right.
Well.......at $1950.....with the gun rug.......she may have a point.
If you got it for less than $600, go buy a couple of lottery tickets. I have never seen one in the wild, locally.
About 5 years ago I picked up one off the big auction board. Only time I've been burned on GB. The right side was in very good shape. The left side was a rusted pitted mess. No matter, it cleaned up well and the gun is accurate and reliable.
Some time later, I picked up a very good condition 3914NL complete top end off GB. So I have the original slide for carry and the better slide should I ever sell it.
I carried that 3914NL my last year in Investigations before I retired. I was chained to a desk in admin and the OIC was Dick....something or other. He didnt like visible firearms in the office. In an IWB, under a Golf shirt, the 3914NL was invisible.
Especially in the Stoner IWB holster my friend nocents gave me. Thanks again nocents!
Enjoy that fine nine Jeppo! It is probably the scarcest and most desirable of the 39XX series pistols. Regards 18DAI
If you got it for less than $600, go buy a couple of lottery tickets. I have never seen one in the wild, locally.
About 5 years ago I picked up one off the big auction board. Only time I've been burned on GB. The right side was in very good shape. The left side was a rusted pitted mess. No matter, it cleaned up well and the gun is accurate and reliable.
Some time later, I picked up a very good condition 3914NL complete top end off GB. So I have the original slide for carry and the better slide should I ever sell it.
I carried that 3914NL my last year in Investigations before I retired. I was chained to a desk in admin and the OIC was Dick....something or other.
He didnt like visible firearms in the office. In an IWB, under a Golf shirt, the 3914NL was invisible.Especially in the Stoner IWB holster my friend nocents gave me. Thanks again nocents!
Enjoy that fine nine Jeppo! It is probably the scarcest and most desirable of the 39XX series pistols. Regards 18DAI
My tactic is to remind the good wife how much I am losing out of my Rollover IRA (former 401k) almost every day lately... and then my "investments" in all-metal vintage S&W revolvers and pistols look good in comparison.Thanks for the comments guys. My wife is tired of hearing, "I think we did well on this one".
Nice when I might have been right.
I have also requested that she consider an increase in the amount I can spent on one gun without her prior approval. My $500 OTD "no pre-approval required" spending limit is not working so well anymore.... that despite the fact that my 2018 average cost per gun is down a little from 2017 and 2016.
We do not live in Pennsylvania.
Pristine pre-IL revolvers and premium 3rd Gens can be expensive! With competition increasing (think: Jeppo) for fewer and fewer top condition premium 3rd Gens, I really had no other choice.
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Jeppo
Member
I paid much more than I hoped to but had a feeling it was an unusual piece.
The condition is impressive (not "unshot" but very nice) but I was surprised what I found inside. The gun had been well cleaned but was dry as a bone. Wiping it down, virtually nothing came off on the towel and patches.
Why would someone be so meticulous in cleaning and then overlook the lube (even if the intention was not to shoot it)????
About pricing trends, assuming these guns continue to be interesting to and demanded by future collectors (I have a collector friend who believes otherwise), the fact we're paying more is a good sign. No?
The condition is impressive (not "unshot" but very nice) but I was surprised what I found inside. The gun had been well cleaned but was dry as a bone. Wiping it down, virtually nothing came off on the towel and patches.
Why would someone be so meticulous in cleaning and then overlook the lube (even if the intention was not to shoot it)????
About pricing trends, assuming these guns continue to be interesting to and demanded by future collectors (I have a collector friend who believes otherwise), the fact we're paying more is a good sign. No?
Found an irresistible deal. Buy an outrageously overpriced rug and they throw in a very clean 3914, free. Why in the world does Jeppo need another plain old 3914?
Nice! If I ever buy an NL, it’ll definitely be one of those. I think an unfired one with case would get close to $1,000 at auction. I’ve never seen one with original case and papers ever
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Good if you already own them... bad if you are trying to buy them!
Example: There is an unfired pre-rail Model 4513TSW right here that I would love to snag... but at over $700 (my all-in cost), the good wife is still mulling over her pre-approval. It will likely be long gone by the time the good wife approves it (if she approves it at all). ++++++++++
ETA: Opps! Just sold.
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Great Score......... I'm envious..................
I have a first year 3913, three 3913NLs and two 3914s ( all bought new or used in the 90s) but have never seen a 3914NL except in pictures.
IIRC without consulting the "Bible" the 3914NL was only made one year....... or more likely there was only one run in that year as the 3913 was the gun most folks wanted.........
Collectible ????? ..... IMHO; yes...... some day.......... after all back in the 20th Century I never thought it would be hard to get a nice 2 1/2 Model 19 or 66..... in any LGS. I'd traded off my 2 1/2" guns ( I had two 3 inch 66s*) in the 90s as I switched to 3rd Gen autos for my every day carry needs..
In the early years of the 21st Century I took me over 5 years to find "nice" examples of those Models in LGSs around the Burgh to replace the guns I'd sold or traded just 10 or 12 years earlier!
* Footnote: in the late 80s Dealers couldn't give away those 3 inch 66s cus they didn't hold 15 round up their butts...... it was "Wonder-nine" or nothing........ you were a "Dead man walking" if you carried a six shot revolver
I have a first year 3913, three 3913NLs and two 3914s ( all bought new or used in the 90s) but have never seen a 3914NL except in pictures.
IIRC without consulting the "Bible" the 3914NL was only made one year....... or more likely there was only one run in that year as the 3913 was the gun most folks wanted.........
Collectible ????? ..... IMHO; yes...... some day.......... after all back in the 20th Century I never thought it would be hard to get a nice 2 1/2 Model 19 or 66..... in any LGS. I'd traded off my 2 1/2" guns ( I had two 3 inch 66s*) in the 90s as I switched to 3rd Gen autos for my every day carry needs..
In the early years of the 21st Century I took me over 5 years to find "nice" examples of those Models in LGSs around the Burgh to replace the guns I'd sold or traded just 10 or 12 years earlier!
* Footnote: in the late 80s Dealers couldn't give away those 3 inch 66s cus they didn't hold 15 round up their butts...... it was "Wonder-nine" or nothing........ you were a "Dead man walking" if you carried a six shot revolver
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Jeppo
Member
Unfortunately, this was just the gun, one magazine and the rug. I’m not even sure the magazine is original. Will have to compare it to some “real ones” buried in the safe.
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Time again for me to reconsider my good wife's recommendation: Take up bird watching.
I just got back on the forum from a long hunting trip and started reading this fun thread.
Maybe your wife wants you to look for a nice Desert Eagle?
Oh Lordy, NO!!!I just got back on the forum from a long hunting trip and started reading this fun thread.
Maybe your wife wants you to look for a nice Desert Eagle?
As I am sitting here tonight, my right shoulder is in so much pain it's almost unbearable.
And the worst part? 
It isn't from a day at the range! 
Truth is, I don't know what the heck is causing it. Old age I suppose. But the last thing I need right now is a Desert Eagle.
There are a few around. I suppose I could get one if I had the money. Right now, I am trying to decide if I want to go out gun hunting on Black Friday.
I just scored big last Saturday, so I don't have the shakes yet. But one of GaryS' and my favorite Boston area shops is giving $50.00 off used guns and there are a couple there I've had my eye on. Too soon?
Yeah, probably. 
No Iggy, not "bad form" or inappropriate at all.
You're even in the right forum! I picked up one myself not all that long ago. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing any desirable 3rd Gens on sale around here tomorrow.
I'm also not seeing any collectible blued pre-IL revolvers that I want either. But there are a couple vintage stainless steel revolvers on sale tomorrow that are in very good shape and not too overpriced.
The big question is: Will the dealer do that $50.00 off and do lay-away for me? I had not seen a Gen 3 for a while. I picked this one up at the gun show, put it back, and went home. I was back in a hour and bought it.
I have a bunch of old S&W revolvers all pre-lock etc. I started thinning the herd about a year ago.. So far I have sold 4 and given my Son and Grandson each a 6" Model 19, but I've bought 3 Generation 3s. in the same time.
Well, I'm down 3 at least. If this keeps up, I'm gonna go broke.
I have a bunch of old S&W revolvers all pre-lock etc. I started thinning the herd about a year ago.. So far I have sold 4 and given my Son and Grandson each a 6" Model 19, but I've bought 3 Generation 3s. in the same time.
Well, I'm down 3 at least.
If this keeps up, I'm gonna go broke.
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Well, I've said it before, but this time I mean it: 2019 will be my last year for gun collecting. I'm so old now that I should be liquidating and bequeathing already... but my 25-year deep sleep left me late to the party for 3rd Gen collecting and I never really got enough revolver collecting way back when... so here I am still adding to the collection at my advanced age.I had not seen a Gen 3 for a while. I picked this one up at the gun show, put it back, and went home. I was back in a hour and bought it.
I have a bunch of old S&W revolvers all pre-lock etc. I started thinning the herd about a year ago.. So far I have sold 4 and given my Son and Grandson each a 6" Model 19, but I've bought 3 Generation 3s. in the same time.
Well, I'm down 3 at least.
But my Want List is short now and 2019 will be a tough year financially for more than just the ongoing stock market problems.
An adjustable rate mortgage together with local tax increases are going to obliterate my spending money starting in January. But that will be good if it gets me selling as much or more than I am buying (as it should be right now). 
I did just picked up a 3914NL this week. I had been hunting one forever. It fills a final whole in my all black/ blue pre 39, 39, 39-3, x39 and 39xx collection. Now I have one of each variant from SCSW. I even got it for under $500! It was a great day in more than 1 way!
I should be picking up a 457 too this week. I don't know if you saw that one on GB for $347! Plus shipping and FFL so it came in at $402. Now I need to decide what to do with it.. already have a couple I think. The price was to good to pass on. This was a 6 gun week as I picked up 4 revolvers too. Pre 37, Army .45 of 1917, Victory M&P and a 25-2. 3 came from from a private seller near here. (We can do that here TTHS)
BTW Nice score Iggy!
Ive been away a couple of years.. who is this Jeppo character? Sounds like competition... I love a good competition.
I should be picking up a 457 too this week. I don't know if you saw that one on GB for $347! Plus shipping and FFL so it came in at $402. Now I need to decide what to do with it.. already have a couple I think. The price was to good to pass on. This was a 6 gun week as I picked up 4 revolvers too. Pre 37, Army .45 of 1917, Victory M&P and a 25-2. 3 came from from a private seller near here. (We can do that here TTHS)
BTW Nice score Iggy!
Ive been away a couple of years.. who is this Jeppo character? Sounds like competition... I love a good competition.
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The Jeppo is pure evil!
Well, no, not really. Sounds like a very nice guy, actually. But he is definitely our most formidable competition for desirable, top condition 3rd Gens! I have termed him the "Human 3rd Gen vacuum cleaner" for his ability to beat members of Team 3rd Gen to good deals. I've also said that I am glad he is 700 miles away.
Makes it a lot harder for him to beat me to local New England deals. 
We have had similar "super-buyers" of 3rd Gens here in the past. Some have moved on... some are probably still with us but keeping a low (or lower) profile.
Our best hope is that Jeppo eventually runs out of money someday. At that point, maybe he'll start to sell some of his newly-acquired premium 3rd Gens to us!
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