Value of pre war grips

[cflier]

I would really like some input as to the recent going value of several types of Pre War Grips. It should be preferably what you have paid or seen paid for the listed grips in the last year or so, not what you wish they were priced. Assume that all of these are near perfect grips. I know some of you buy and sell these types of grips regularly and I would value your opinion.

1. N Frame Smooth Concave grips.

2. N Frame Pre war Diamond Checkered service grips with the large sivler medallian.

3. N Frame Pre War diamond checkered service grips with the gold inset or concave medallians

4. I Frame 2 screw target type grips with gold medallian, those that came on the straight line and Beakert type I frames.

5. I Frame same as number 4 but with silver medalians.

6. K Frame concave non medallion round butt grips

7. Pearl Medallian grips, K, and Top break

thanks, Mark

 

[cflier]

I would really like some input as to the recent going value of several types of Pre War Grips. It should be preferably what you have paid or seen paid for the listed grips in the last year or so, not what you wish they were priced. Assume that all of these are near perfect grips. I know some of you buy and sell these types of grips regularly and I would value your opinion.

1. N Frame Smooth Concave grips.

2. N Frame Pre war Diamond Checkered service grips with the large sivler medallian.

3. N Frame Pre War diamond checkered service grips with the gold inset or concave medallians

4. I Frame 2 screw target type grips with gold medallian, those that came on the straight line and Beakert type I frames.

5. I Frame same as number 4 but with silver medalians.

6. K Frame concave non medallion round butt grips

7. Pearl Medallian grips, K, and Top break

thanks, Mark

 

[cgt4570]

cflier,

I've got examples of all these except #6 in my collection of spares. While mine aren't all perfect, and some of them have been lightly restored, I'll try to give you what I've seen on ebay and such. Prices could be significantly higher depending on just how near perfect they are.

SCSW #3 also has a price table on pages 27-28 that shows trends on some of these grips.

1. $100 plus
2. $100-300
3. $100-200
4. $100 plus
5. $50-100
6. up to $100
7. $200 plus (my pair came on a very rough Model of 1902 round butt that I gave $150 for! I kept the very nice grips, and sold the gun for the same price!)

This is just a ballpark of observations and guesses. Hope it helps.

Chris

 

[cflier]

Thanks Chris,
That is the kind of info that I am looking for. I got to look at a treasure trove of pre war grips yesterday. I was at a fellows house who quit collecting about 10 to 15 years ago but still had about 60 to 70 sets of old S&W grips. Some were so rare that I didn't know they exhisted even though they were in my area of collecting. I bought over 20 sets from him, mostly rare pocket top break and Pre war N frame grips. I paid a premium for them and according to your pricing guide I might loose money on some of them. They were so perfect that I had to buy them. Every thing he had was in excellent to pristine condition. I bought the N Frames because so many of you guys are into them and I thought that eventually I will pass them on through the forum. They weren't doing any good in his closet and he needs the money. He probably still has 50 sets of various K and I frame and #3 frame grips and some top break that I just didn't feel like paying for ( I dropped around $1500 there as it was). I didn't have a clue as to how to price the K and I frame grips, they are so pristine and some of them are quite rare. I hope some others will chime in and give me some ideas on value as I just have'nt paid that much attention to pre war N frame grips accept the magnas.
Mark

 

[cgt4570]

Mark,

The greatest value in some of them may be as trading fodder for grips and parts you actually need. A lot of collectors/hoarders place much more value on a part than mere cash. But a parts swap that makes both parties extatic is much more rewarding. I've traded a part with more value for a part with less value because it made us both happy and I didn't have much in the first part. I would have never sold it outright for that amount.

As pristine as you describe them, they are very likely worth a lot more than the above starting prices. Besides, at a bare minimum, if you get $100 a piece for 20 pairs, then you'll make $500 on your transaction. I don't think you have any risk of losing money. Some of the rare grips just don't turn up so it's hard to place a value. I've only seen a couple factory pearls sell by themselves. (I've got an absentee bid placed on some right now)

As for the grips you didn't buy, if this gentleman want's to liquidate them, you could offer to facilitate selling them on the forum for a meeger commission. That would make all parties very happy. Sounds like he's got some nice goodies.

Chris