which would you buy

troutstalker2

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I stopped by the local gun shop and the had 3 smiths. One a model 14-3, one a model 48-3 and a model 17-2. All were 8-3/8 inch barrels and all were sent to smith to be nickel plated. The condition was the same on all three, great. All had original grips. boxes and paperwork. I'm looking at them not so much as shooters, but collectors. They are asking $600. for each, but would probably sell for $550. or $575. Does the price seem fair and which one would be more disirable as a collectors piece?
Thanks in advance, David
 
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I'm not absolutely sure about this and I'm sure the other folks on here will set me straight if I'm wrong, but if you're looking at this purely from a collectors standpoint I would think that where these guns had been refinished in nickel that it would hurt the collectors value. I think any change from original would be detrimental to the collectors value. That said, I'd love to have an 8-3/8 48 myself!
 
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The refinish really hurts collector value since its not original so most collectors wouldn't consider them. Price seems high to me given the refinish whether they are shooters or not.
 
All of these are uncommon in (factory) nickel, so I think the key is having documentation that they are as stated. If so and they are in as-new condition mechanically, I would guess they are worth about the price quoted, but not the value of an original factory nickel gun.
 
For many serious collectors of S&W handguns much the same issues concern them about refinished handguns as do automobile collectors considering cars that have been repainted.

The first question is what did the refinish cover up. The second is why bother to go to the expense... As with autos, if you do decide to re-finish, always take pictures of the revolvers before your refinish them.

IMHO, if a S&W has reached the point of "needing" refinishing it is at that level where it has gained a character all its own. Kinda like ragged old used Levis selling for more than new ones because of their character.

Personally, I would prefer to buy a tight but very "shop warn" S&W than the same revolver in a refinished state... The same "red flag" can be applied to highly polished stainless guns. They can be made to look almost brand new. The polishing method will become more apparent as it is used more frequently to mask heavily used guns.

But that's just me.......
 
I would buy that 17-2 & shoot it. Just think of it as a revolving carbine!
 
A factory change of finish is better than a non factory job, but not really good enough to be considered as collectors. (are they factory stamped or do you have the orders and shipping papers?) I'd say they're good as shooters but real collectors are best kept in their original finish.

Now with that said...

Having the boxes and papers for a collector is a definite plus. The day will soon be upon us when the boxes will be rarer than the guns. Think I'm kidding? I just saw a pre-war Colt Woodsman box, target, tools, and papers go on eBay for more than I paid for a 95+% Woodsman 600 numbers away from that box!

Also, one day people are going to realize just how few Nickel guns S&W actually shipped. (or refinished!)

All of this has to be balanced against what you would otherwise do with the money as well as how you'll maintain them? Gonna shoot 'em?

So for me I like to buy things as complete and original as possible but not in such pristine condition that I couldn't shoot them if I wanted to. I'm not really thinking of guns as an investment but it's nice to know they'll definitely be worth something.

/c

Remember if you can wait long enough a Rice Krispies box will be worth a fortune.
 
These guns were on consignment from the same person. I don't get the expense of wanting them in nickel either. The guns are are not just cosmetically good but have been shot very little as best I can tell. I don't think the were refinished to restore them I just think the guy had more money than sense. I can undersatand it does not help the value though.
David
 
My .02 worth is they are high quality "custom" shooters and shouldn't even be looked at as being viable in the serious collectors arena.

Factory versus non-factory refinishing is one thing, but taking revolvers that were originally blued and making them nickel... to me that pretty much kills it. The gun will not factory letter correctly, they left the factory as blued and they are now 180 degrees out.

But... if you're looking for something to add to your personal collection with no expectation of cashing it in at a future date as a "pure" collector gun, I would go for the 48-3. Far less common than the other two to begin with, add on the less common 8 3/8" barrel, and the combination of those two aspects makes it more attractive.

I'm just crazy enough to want to send it out to have it de-nickeled and reblued, if I was getting for my personal "collection" just for fun.

Here in California, $500 - $600 is the average for used S&W's in excellent shape.
 
To me, those prices seem fairly reasonable for what they are individually: factory refinished, long-barreled, kind of uncommon, but modern editions. It sounds like somebody went to a fair amount of trouble and expense to get exactly what they wanted: a set of shiny, long tubed k-frames. It would be seem to be sort of a shame to break up such a set. Honesty, they all sort of appeal to me, but seeing as how S&W never offered a nickel M14; if I was choosing only one, that would be the one. Very unusual and no chance of it ever being mis-advertised as something that it's not. Although there would be some attraction to being able to say that you've got a genuine, factory nickel K22 (....hmmm, I like K22's).

I don't know about the short-term collect-ability of the set of guns that you're looking at, but for some reason I have a feeling that you may kick yourself later on if you pass on them. Mostly because they are 1.) nice guns in their own right offered at a decent price, and 2.) because you just don't see these editions in nickel very often. I don't think that the fact that they were re-finished by S&W (assuming that can be documented) detracts from them that much. However, if offered as a group, you may get an even better-to-great deal. If you can swing the complete set, that's what I'd do. Good luck with your decision, and if you get one (or the whole set), please post some photos. I'll bet that there would be a lot of interest in them here. -S2
 
Speedo2
Just as an aside, I have a nickel model 14-3. 6" barrel Stamped under the grips on the frame with an N in a square. Do you think this was originally blue? other markings are a Z in a circle, both Z and N on the right side, on the left side E10, E9, R-S and 54952. I always wondered because as you said it was not offered in nickel.

David
 
David, I could be wrong (...first time all day), but I believe that the factory never offered the M14 (in any dash number) in nickel. Certainly they could and did re-finish in nickel, but I don't believe that I've ever seen one that wasn't a re-finish. Perhaps some of the more recognized/astute members will comment (or at least somebody with access to SCSW3 to see what they say). Does your nickel M14 have any indications that it was returned to the factory? And man, I'd love to see photos of it. -S2

Edit: Well now, I see that S&W is CURRENTLY offering nickel M14's (on the M14-4's, I think). Also that they could have been special ordered in nickel, so there may very well be a few earlier ones out there. I think that the new ones look pretty bad with the IL; the nickel finish really makes that darned thing stand out. Anyway. it appears that once again I have learned something.
 
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Speedo2

Thanks for the reply. I thinking that it must have been refinished. I have compaired it to another smith nickel and the lettering is just not as crisp under a magnifing glass. Close but a little rounded. I will send pictures when the wife gets home wiht the camera. Again thanks for all the help.
David
 
Prices are too high for refinished guns, I bought a blued 8 3/8" Model 14 with some damage to the finish but mechanically tight for $350 or so.

If the guy takes $400 or so it might be an OK deal as a shooter.
 
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