I would come at the question of value from a different angle. First, I think the gold wash, which is clearly thin and has been significantly worn away, is of negligible value as gold and even as a symbolic upgrade to this particular revolver. It looks to me as though there is a fairly good nickel finish to the gun under the vanishing gold, and the pearl stocks are in good shape for their age.
I would think an early nickel Model of 1903 in pretty good shape and with hard rubber stocks would be fairly valued at about $350-400; the pearls push it up into the $600 range. After that, it's up to the buyer and the seller to put a value on the gun based on the perceived rarity of the configuration. There is no catalog of reasonable values for a gold-washed standard revolver, but putting a little bit of gold over an ordinary commercial product does not automatically create an item of great value.
As a point of historical interest, the receiving company (G. Amsinck & Co., not Amsinck G.) was one of several companies owned by the prewar conglomerate (as they were later called) IAC, which was active before and after WWI. Its business practices were not completely wholesome, and it was widely believed that some of its companies were fronts for foreign interests not necessarily friendly to the United States. Amsinck, with connections to Germany, was rumored at one point to have been engaged in intelligence gathering operations in North America, for example. A little internet research will lead you to some interesting stuff. Here's a taste from the NY Times in 1917:
BUYS OUT CONTROL OF G. AMSINCK and amp - CO. - American International Corporation Takes Over Firm Mentioned in Bolo Pacha Case. - View Article - NYTimes.com
(My browser opens that up without asking for payment, but I think some forum members have hit paywalls on other news archives.)
Amsinck was in the prewar years in international import and export, but it doesn't look as though firearms were part of their usually business; or maybe I just didn't look hard enough. I would guess the gun in question here might have been bought for an official of the firm, or the official's wife or girl friend.
I am always sorry to see a family heirloom leave its home of many decades, but understand there are valid reasons why such a decision would be made.
EDITED TO ADD: Jim, if this is a refinish it is a pretty good one. I don't see a sideplate gully or any evidence of heedless overpolishing.
I would think an early nickel Model of 1903 in pretty good shape and with hard rubber stocks would be fairly valued at about $350-400; the pearls push it up into the $600 range. After that, it's up to the buyer and the seller to put a value on the gun based on the perceived rarity of the configuration. There is no catalog of reasonable values for a gold-washed standard revolver, but putting a little bit of gold over an ordinary commercial product does not automatically create an item of great value.
As a point of historical interest, the receiving company (G. Amsinck & Co., not Amsinck G.) was one of several companies owned by the prewar conglomerate (as they were later called) IAC, which was active before and after WWI. Its business practices were not completely wholesome, and it was widely believed that some of its companies were fronts for foreign interests not necessarily friendly to the United States. Amsinck, with connections to Germany, was rumored at one point to have been engaged in intelligence gathering operations in North America, for example. A little internet research will lead you to some interesting stuff. Here's a taste from the NY Times in 1917:
BUYS OUT CONTROL OF G. AMSINCK and amp - CO. - American International Corporation Takes Over Firm Mentioned in Bolo Pacha Case. - View Article - NYTimes.com
(My browser opens that up without asking for payment, but I think some forum members have hit paywalls on other news archives.)
Amsinck was in the prewar years in international import and export, but it doesn't look as though firearms were part of their usually business; or maybe I just didn't look hard enough. I would guess the gun in question here might have been bought for an official of the firm, or the official's wife or girl friend.
I am always sorry to see a family heirloom leave its home of many decades, but understand there are valid reasons why such a decision would be made.
EDITED TO ADD: Jim, if this is a refinish it is a pretty good one. I don't see a sideplate gully or any evidence of heedless overpolishing.
