What year Magnum 44?

[Kjole]

Hi! Im helping my dad with selling his 44 magnum. Its an early verson 29 i think with serial S176087. Im also wondering what the value might be.

Images: 44 magnum - Google Photos

Thanks for any replies!

 

[DETROIT]

If the serial number starts with S176XXX that series stared in 1957. If those are matching grips, that will add value. I believe those grips are “Cokes” which are sought after and are worth a good amount by themselves.

 

[DETROIT]

It looks like on the side plate and cylinder there are a few specs of rust. I would boil those two parts to convert the rust.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! It is a .44 Magnum; the model 29 label didn’t get added for a year or two after this one was made. It is a 4-screw frame (three on the sideplate, one at the front base of the trigger guard).

A good cleaning and more/detailed photos in better light would help with a value estimate, along with knowing if he has the original case and tools.

 

[22hipower]

As others said, a pre-29 44 Magnum 4 screw in less than pristine condition. It should clean up ok though, use nothing abrasive, some oil and a soft cloth will get most of it. If those are rust spots on the side plate they do need to be addressed, I use a product called RB17 Gun Cleaner that works well. Where I shop it's probably in the $2k range, $500 more if you have the original blue/black case and tools. If I owned it, it would be priceless given that my father owned it and I definitely would not sell it. Welcome to the Forum.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[DARE]

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th Edition just came out. It says $3000 for Excellent (98%) and $2000 for Very Good (85%).

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! It's a shame that your Dad wants to sell his 4-screw .44 Magnum, but circumstances sometimes force people to do things that they otherwise wouldn't. As others have mentioned, that revolver should clean up nicely and it would make a great family heirloom if you were interested in becoming its caretaker. Early 4-screw .44 Magnums are selling for quite a bit of money these days due to their vintage and rarity...$2K is probably a good estimate. The wood target stocks ("Coke Bottle") are worth $400+ by themselves- but please don't separate them from the revolver. My 4-screw (S177963) was manufactured in 1957 but didn't ship from S&W until July 1958. If your Dad has made up his mind to sell his .44 Magnum instead of giving it to you, I suggest that you advertise it here on the Forum (Want to Buy"). Good luck!

 

[Gun Relics]

Hi! Im helping my dad with selling his 44 magnum. Its an early verson 29 i think with serial S176087. Im also wondering what the value might be.

Images: 44 magnum - Google Photos

Thanks for any replies!

How you sell is just as important as the "value" and how quickly you need the cash determines how you sell. While an 80%-85% 4 screw pre-29 might bring $2,000 online or at auction or on local consignment, if you sell locally for quick cash to an FFL it might be more like $1400 or $1500. The cost for selling at a consignment auction could be 20% - 25%, so you may want to consider taking a lower cash value for a quick sell and let a dealer make their margin.

There are several online auction houses that do a good job. I hesitate to mention them here because of the website rules (and I am walking a thin line right now because of my ignorance, LOL) but if you need recommendations PM me.

 

[Gun Relics]

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th Edition just came out. It says $3000 for Excellent (98%) and $2000 for Very Good (85%).

Thanks for the info - just ordered one, very exciting! At my age, that's about all the excitement I can handle!

 

[Kjole]

Thank you guys for all that great information and tips! I would follow youre advice if i was living in the states, but I live over seas, up in cold Norway. Here I can not own a pistol/revolver unless im active in a pistol club or works in law enforcement / military, if not I would absolutly have kept the revolver in the family. I can only get his hunting rifles/ shotguns as i am a licenced hunter. I think the market is smaller and collector value is probably lower over here so i dont think i can get as much as you are suggesting for it here, but it gives me an ide of the ball park selling price i could go from. The point is not to squeeze as much as I can out of it eighter, more to take care of my dads guns for him while he still can sign papers. He's got Parkinsons disease..

But thank all of you so much for taking the time to answer me. Its much appreciated!

 

[Hawg Rider]

Thank you guys for all that great information and tips! I would follow youre advice if i was living in the states, but I live over seas, up in cold Norway. Here I can not own a pistol/revolver unless im active in a pistol club or works in law enforcement / military, if not I would absolutly have kept the revolver in the family. I can only get his hunting rifles/ shotguns as i am a licenced hunter. I think the market is smaller and collector value is probably lower over here so i dont think i can get as much as you are suggesting for it here, but it gives me an ide of the ball park selling price i could go from. The point is not to squeeze as much as I can out of it eighter, more to take care of my dads guns for him while he still can sign papers. He's got Parkinsons disease..

But thank all of you so much for taking the time to answer me. Its much appreciated!

Forstatt, Kjole. Many of us have dealt with our aging parents and their medical conditions and it's never easy. It's a shame that Norway does not allow you to keep his firearms, but the law is the law. Lykki til!