Hello everyone. I have a smith and wesson model 66 Virginia Game Warden 70th anniversary edition revolver. There were only 84 of these made and I was just wondering if anyone could find any information on the value of this gun? I have searched for days and have only found two sites that barely mention the gun at all. Any information would be great! Thanks!
Virginia Game Warden 1984, 1 of 84
- Thread starter Addison
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That is eye-popping nice. 1 of 84, 30 years old, nice engraving (hoping it's factory). I'd imagine well north of $1K, to the right collector. Joe
Yeah its all factory engraving. My best friend got it for me for a graduation gift. He told me that it is so rare that I wouldn't be able to find anything on it and I thought he was joking. Seems as though he was not joking and I have found very little on it, not even a picture. Thats why I put it up on here in hopes someone could shed some light on the value and history of the gun itself
That is one of the nicest badges I have seen on a commemorative.
There is really no such thing as finding the value of most low volume commemeratives based on what they commemerate, especially something when only 84 were made. Of the few times they change hands most are usually between people that both are affiliated with what was commemorated. The remaining few that make it to the secondary market are too few to generate a trend.
Most of the commemeratives out there are nothing more than a special roll mark or two, a gold wash and a wood case. These usually sell for the same price as a used version of the same model.
Thousands of different Commemeratives have been done through the years. Some in-house at S&W and some done outside by groups that bought a large lot of a specific model
Then you have the ones that are more significantly embellished. Engraving, gold inlay, ivory, exotic displays, additional items, etc. The value of these is usually based more on the level of embellishment than what was commemorated.
It is nothing more than what you and the seller agree to.
There is really no such thing as finding the value of most low volume commemeratives based on what they commemerate, especially something when only 84 were made. Of the few times they change hands most are usually between people that both are affiliated with what was commemorated. The remaining few that make it to the secondary market are too few to generate a trend.
Most of the commemeratives out there are nothing more than a special roll mark or two, a gold wash and a wood case. These usually sell for the same price as a used version of the same model.
Thousands of different Commemeratives have been done through the years. Some in-house at S&W and some done outside by groups that bought a large lot of a specific model
Then you have the ones that are more significantly embellished. Engraving, gold inlay, ivory, exotic displays, additional items, etc. The value of these is usually based more on the level of embellishment than what was commemorated.
It is nothing more than what you and the seller agree to.
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That's some friend.
Given the following facts:
1. Given as a gift.
2. Given from a friend.
3. Given to celebrate a graduation.
I would estimate the value = priceless.
I would never consider selling it.
Congratulations on your graduation.
If you are looking for a value for insurance purposes I would guesstimate $1500 - $2000 based upon no real experience but casually observing the selling price of a few engraved S&W revolvers of that vintage and quality. Hopefully another member with more experience will give better advice.
Given the following facts:
1. Given as a gift.
2. Given from a friend.
3. Given to celebrate a graduation.
I would estimate the value = priceless.
I would never consider selling it.
Congratulations on your graduation.
If you are looking for a value for insurance purposes I would guesstimate $1500 - $2000 based upon no real experience but casually observing the selling price of a few engraved S&W revolvers of that vintage and quality. Hopefully another member with more experience will give better advice.
The value of your gun will be enhanced greatly if you have the original box it came in (numbered to the gun), display case, if any, and all papers, tools, and wrapping material. Otherwise the collector interest will be minimal.
S&W made a couple dozen different commemoratives over the years using the Model 66 as a platform, and yours is one of the nicest I have seen.
I'm betting there's an active or retired Virginia Game Warden somewhere that would love to have that gun!
S&W made a couple dozen different commemoratives over the years using the Model 66 as a platform, and yours is one of the nicest I have seen.
I'm betting there's an active or retired Virginia Game Warden somewhere that would love to have that gun!
Good advice here. The value is what a comparable engraved gun would be. Look on gunbroker.com and look at "completed" auctions for engraved S&W Model 66. average as many as you can find that were "completed" auctions and that should be a rough average. Next best is to go to S&W website and price out a current similar gun with similar engraving and see what it would sell for. These should at least get you to an aprox value for insurance purposes.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
A few of my gun nut Buddies and myself came to a realization over many years of trading and selling.
GENERALLY...Commemorative means; LOSE MONEY.
IMHO your into a commemorative the best possible way...it was free. Keep it and be happy with it.
GENERALLY...Commemorative means; LOSE MONEY.
IMHO your into a commemorative the best possible way...it was free. Keep it and be happy with it.
Addison,
If your goal here is to sell the firearm DO NOT bother with a Factory Letter.
It will cost you $50, take 3-5 months to get and will not alter the amount of money that you can sell the firearm for by a single penny.
If your goal is to keep the firearm and learn what you can about it, then the letter will give you some information, but not much.
If your friend was a Warden, see if he can tell you who was on the committee that created the commemorative. Or where he got it from if his purchase was as a used firearm. That is where you will learn the most about what went on with the commemorative.
If your goal here is to sell the firearm DO NOT bother with a Factory Letter.
It will cost you $50, take 3-5 months to get and will not alter the amount of money that you can sell the firearm for by a single penny.
If your goal is to keep the firearm and learn what you can about it, then the letter will give you some information, but not much.
If your friend was a Warden, see if he can tell you who was on the committee that created the commemorative. Or where he got it from if his purchase was as a used firearm. That is where you will learn the most about what went on with the commemorative.
Frank237,
The problem here is that you do not understand the purpose of a commemorative. As you state, you and your gun nut buddies do "trading and selling" you made no comment on collecting.
It sounds like you are looking at a commemorative purchase and figuring out how much money you can make on it.
As a collector, I never look at a purchase and say to myself, "Can I make money selling this if I pay his price?" That is because I have no intention of selling it. I want to collect it, I want to preserve it, I want to protect it. Now that does not mean I over pay just because it is a bit embellished. I admit there are a few that I paid a premium for, but not many.
I own MANY, many commemorative firearms at this moment. Each and every one can be sold for more than I paid for them. Some for considerably more. That is because it has been 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 25 or more years since they were purchased. However I do not primarily use my commemoratives as a method to make money. No serious collector does.
I use commemoratives as displays, I use them to spark conversations, I use them to catch the eye of the non-shooter or the young person that has a fascination. I use them to promote the shooting heritage of our nation. I use them to teach. I use them to share a passion with my fellow collectors. Occasionally I even loan them out for display. Most importantly I use them for my own enjoyment of the artistry of arms.
Both my home study and my office have several commemoratives on display at all times. Even lefty liberals visiting my office will often start up conversations about the pieces and/or the events or organizations commemorated. Sometimes they will just ask "Is that real?" All of these are openings to educate someone.
On multiple occasions, my commemoratives have created a situation where I was able to get a lefty liberal or two over to the range "to see what target shooting was all about." There are now several gun owning lefties that are no longer so liberal.
To me, that alone is priceless.
Thank you guys for all of the comments! I do have the box that originally came with it. I was not looking to sell the gun, just learn more about it. I originally got the gun from my friend who is a gunsmith and new that my dream job is to some day be a game warden. I know what you are all thinking, I do have the best friend ever!
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran
Wow. Beautiful revolver. That is one of the nicest I've seen. To help determine it's value and history I'd have a few questions.
Knowing any of these items would help further our understand of this particular M66. A display case will often have a cardboard sleeve with this information on it. Sometimes there will be extra labels slipped in under the display case's interior liner.
1). Does it have a special s/n? Often times a factory issued commemorative will.
2). What's the product code? Is that number unique, or is it a plain Jane 4" M66 product code. Some commemoratives have a 14XXXX prefix.
3). Is there a 4 digit number under "Spec. Ord". Is it a Julian date, or a real special order number.
4). Is there a 3 or 4 digit number following the Spec Ord number?
2). What's the product code? Is that number unique, or is it a plain Jane 4" M66 product code. Some commemoratives have a 14XXXX prefix.
3). Is there a 4 digit number under "Spec. Ord". Is it a Julian date, or a real special order number.
4). Is there a 3 or 4 digit number following the Spec Ord number?
Knowing any of these items would help further our understand of this particular M66. A display case will often have a cardboard sleeve with this information on it. Sometimes there will be extra labels slipped in under the display case's interior liner.
Usmc5811
US Veteran
That is a beautiful revolver wish my father would have bought one when he was with the game dept. I will have to ask a Around and see if some of his friends may have purchased one.
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VA Game Warden Pistol
Hello,
I can provide you with all the information regarding this pistol if you are interested as I was with the agency when it was manufactured.
Also, I am interested in purchasing the pistol. Can you provide an email or phone number?
Thanks,
Hello,
I can provide you with all the information regarding this pistol if you are interested as I was with the agency when it was manufactured.
Also, I am interested in purchasing the pistol. Can you provide an email or phone number?
Thanks,
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran
This is a two year old "zombie" thread. Unfortunately, the original poster has not made a new post to the Forum since March of 2014. If you click on the OP's name you may be able to send him an email.
