Value of a Registered Magnum

[epidoc]

I'm being offered a Registered Magnum in trade, and need to get an idea of its value. It has a 3.5 inch barrel. The numbers on the barrel, frame, and cylinder match. I would rate the finish at about 70%. There is very little finish on the barrel and the under barrel lug, and very little finish on the grip straps. There is no pitting. The grips are the pre-war magnas, but the owner is not sure if they match the pistol.

I would appreciate any help on establishing an approximate value.

 

[epidoc]

I'm being offered a Registered Magnum in trade, and need to get an idea of its value. It has a 3.5 inch barrel. The numbers on the barrel, frame, and cylinder match. I would rate the finish at about 70%. There is very little finish on the barrel and the under barrel lug, and very little finish on the grip straps. There is no pitting. The grips are the pre-war magnas, but the owner is not sure if they match the pistol.

I would appreciate any help on establishing an approximate value.

 

[handejector]

A tough call. You need to examine it, and get hold of Roy and see if it is an ORIGINAL 3-1/2. A lot of people could cut one. If original, even worn it is desirable. Also be sure he is not looking at a 4". Sounds like an extensively holstered gun. If you decide to sell it, I would like a shot.

 

[Guest]

Lee; You've got too many of those tired up already!!! Leave a few out there for the rest of us that haven't managed to find their First one! Mike

 

[handejector]

Lee; You've got too many of those tired up already!!!

Mike,
"too Many"......I don't understand that term.....how many did they make? If I grasp this term correctly, "too many" means one more than they made!

 

[bettis1]

epidoc,

As Lee has said, you should call Roy and give him the Reg. mumber and Serial number. He can tell you if it is correct as shipped. If you want to post either of the numbers and the sight configuration, any of the SWCA members can check the data base and tell you if it is listed there.

The fact that it is in the condition which you describe isn't too unusual for a 3.5" gun. Those were most frequently guns carried by lawmen and got lots of "leg time". That being said, those guns will frequently letter to a department or an individual lawman.

You don't mention the details of your trade but I can tell you that if you don't have an RM, I would think long and hard about passing it up. Unlike other models, which are often described as being in "shooter" condition or "collector" condition (the breakpoint usually being somewhere north of 90%), ALL Registered Magnums are collectible (if they haven't been butchered). If it is in shooting condition, just one trip to a range with it will spoil you for most anything else.

I can tell you this, for lots of us. No matter what we're trading and no matter how much we think we may be getting the best of the deal, if the other party puts an RM in the mix, he just took control of the game.

Bob

 

[Art Doc]

Make sure it has the correct hammer.

 

[GLL]

"too Many"......I don't understand that term.....how many did they make? If I grasp this term correctly, "too many" means one more than they made!


Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I like your philosophy Lee !

Unfortunately for me there were over 4,700 Pre-War .38/44 Outdoorsman and over 2,300 transitional .38/44 Outdoorsman made !

Jerry

 

[handejector]

Guys,
C'mon- what value would you guys put on it? epidoc was asking for help on value. I'm curious what you guys have to say......

Jerry,
Let me HELP you....

 

[bettis1]

Well, Lee, I'd say it has two values. Since you got your name on the list to buy it from epidoc first, the first value would be what you would pay for it and the second value would be what I would have to pay to get it from you

Bob

 

[mikepriwer]

Given the 70% condition, and no information at all as to where it went,
I would say its worth about $1200 - maybe $1500 at the outside.

The really nice ones are worth big bucks . Odd barrel lengths bring big
bucks. And important documented owners bring big bucks. This gun has none
of those ednearing qualities, so its not big bucks.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[smith17]

$2000-2500. Without seeing it. Not an offer. Just trying to answer your question.
Ed

 

[Guest]

Pure and Simple for me. There isn't enough information been given. I know of a 70% 3-1/2" pre Model 27 that sold locally for $175.00 and both Parties turn out to be very Happy with the deal. The Buyer got what he wanted and so did the Seller. It wasn't until later that the Gun turned into a Register Magnum! The Seller was Long Gone and was without a doubt still Happy. Now the Buyer found out something he never knew about early Smith & Wessons and was Very Happy with what he had.

I guess that knowing that this Gun is "<span class="ev_code_RED"> Supposed to be a Registered Magnum </span>" then I would give it a higher value. But, unless I "knew" this to be a correct RM it is just another $175.00 to $250.00 pre Model 27 with a 3-1/2" barrel. I have two(pre 27s) in 95+% condition and I willingly paid about $400.00 for each of them.

I have heard a Wise man make the statement "If it won't Letter, then either walk away or pay less."

A 70% RM would be worth $1,500.00 to $1,750.00, Tops. Unless there is some special Providence available at the time of the Sale or if it is complete with everything it was originally shipped with - box, cleaning kit, etc.

Mike.

 

[bettis1]

In spite of my "smart mouth" response to Lee, I think that both Mike and Ed are on course here.

Perhaps Mike is a few hundred low in his top dollar but what he says about the "endearing qualities" is correct. Obviously, the condition can't be better than it is and the barrel length isn't particularly rare (although desirable), but the unknown factor is the documentation. If it turns out that it was shipped to a police department it could easily reach the range that Ed proposed (the 4" Kansas City Guns are mostly in the same condition as the gun in question and they seem to bring in this range now).

If the gun letters to an individual lawman, it could take off to easily exceed the $2500 cap, depending on just who it is and what the history might be.

What say you, Lee?

Bob

 

[gunfish]

I recently paid 1400$ for a KC police version with no stocks, post war rear sight, poor refinish, and excellent mechcanics. It shoots better than I do. If the gun your eyeing has the correct rear sight, hammer, and good mechcanics it would be worth at least 1400$ IMO.

 

[smith17]

KKG:
I haven't handled enough of them to know what they are worth without looking up some of the info in my books. Assuming it is correct, and that is what I assumed, the SCSW has a rating section and though it seems to be repetitive ( guns from 1920-1945 in 60% shape are either rated good or very good, probably dependent upon working order and replaced parts), the Standard Catalog gives it a value of $1850-2500. And while the 3.5" barrel is said to be the 5th most common, even more so than the 4", folks are paying mucho dollars for pre-27s in this barrel length and I see no reason for the pre-pre-27 to be any different. Thus my estimate. Prewar magnas won't hurt. But you are correct in that additional info would be welcome.
Ed

 

[ChuckS1]

There's one at Auction Arms with a starting bid of $25,000.

 

[bettis1]

Bob

 

[handejector]

What say you, Lee?

Bob

Hi Bob, et al,
I realize it was kind of obnoxious to solicit values from everyone without commenting myself, but I did it for several reasons. I did not want to influence the numbers by putting mine out there first. I'm a dealer, BUT, I have the disease, too. I'm rather fond of Reg Mag's myself. I have trouble passing any up but the most common, even at retail.
It turns out epidoc plans to KEEP it IF he acquires it, so we can all take a breath and calm down.
Immediately after my first post, I sent this email to epidoc:

Hi epidoc,
I just posted a reply on your post. My guess on RETAIL value, being that worn, will be around 2000-2700.
Wide range, I know- depends on "eye-appeal".
I would appreciate a crack at it if you sell it.
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by ChuckS1:
There's one at Auction Arms with a starting bid of $25,000.

I suspect that this is being "Offered" by the same individual who was asking $!0.000.00 for a Model 41 Set that was made up from pieces purchased at the S&WCA Meeting in SLC.

His website seems to be "sited" somewhere in the Next Century if his prices are any indication. Mike