Family inherited two sister guns

[Daddy's Girl]

Smith & Wesson K-38 Masterpiece, 6 inch barrel, Blue Finish - Target Stocks
Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece, 6 inch barrel, Blue Finish - Target Hammer and Target Stocks.
Both in original boxes..perfect shape
Dad kept all his guns in perfect shape

Are these valuable, thinking about selling.

 

[Mags]

I have a personal rule I try to live by, to not make profit off something gifted or inherited. I think you should keep them or perhaps give them to another family member who might actually cherish them.

 

[Daddy's Girl]

Yes ..... I felt funny about posting.....

Excellent point! Have had a heavy heart about selling.....good advice! Thank you....my dad (in heaven) is probably also thanking you!

 

[JShirley]

Welcome to THR!

John

 

[forindooruseonly]

Yes they are. I won't pretend to know what your relationship with your dad was, but personally I would have an extremely hard time selling something that my dad cared deeply about - as it represents memories of him which I couldn't buy back.

Just something to think about.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to the forum Daddy's Girl. I am very sorry for you're loss. I'm glad someone already suggested you keep the revolvers and give them to another family member who will cherish them.

Both guns are considered "classics" and they are great guns to shoot. The current production S&W revolvers can't come close in my opinion. They will provide whoever gets them with a lifetime of pleasure and then another lifetime to the next owner. I'm very happy to hear you are thinking of keeping them in the family.

 

[Radagast]

In 1957 the K38 was designated the Model 14 & the K22 was designated the Model 17. The post '57 guns will have the model number stamped on the frame under the cylinder yoke. Open the cylinder to check.
If a Pre 1957 K38, then $650, if Post '57 $450.
If a pre 1957 K22 then $750, if post '57 $600.

The above where the prices for as new in box in the 2006 edition of the Standard Catalog of S&W. As they are used they may be worth worth a little less.

I don't really equate things with the memory of people, if there is a family member who would use and appreciate them then that is one thing and I heartily recommend passing them on, but otherwise I see nothing wrong in selling them.

BTW, selling them to a gun shop will not get you top dollar. Use the classifieds here or an online gun auction site suich as www.gunbroker.com

 

[Night Stalker]

My Daddy said...when you have too...sell items you can replace.
He hunted with a 3006 bolt action mauser custom made stock with peep sights....back in those days, often military rifles were converted for hunting use
He was and expert rifleman in WWII...so he was a crack shot with those peep sights...head shots on runnning deer!
I grew up for some reason or other nameing this rifle... DADS BEAR GUN....
It was carried quite a bit, has special wear marks and is in most all of his hunting pictures...
If i would sell this...it would be like stabing my self in the heart.
Todays society seems like most items are just throw away no meaning or memories
Heck i have 40 some guns he only had (3) 3006 mauser, Ithica 12ga feather W. and a Rem 22...
As long as i live, the last three will be priceless
Take care and God Bless your family!!!

 

[Doc Nonverbal]

I'll chime in on this as well: Don't sell them. Keep them oiled (use a good gun oil) and stored someplace safe and dry. You can oil the barrel and chambers using a long Q-tip, or an oil-soaked patch pushed through with a bamboo skewer.

I keep my handguns in silicone-impregnated "gun socks" and put these inside "Bore Store" silicone-impregnated bags. It's cheap insurance and will help prevent rust and dings. Keep the boxes separate, ideally placed somewhere that humidity/rodents/bugs won't harm them.

I always cringe when I hear people thinking about selling family heirlooms. You may not have much interest in handguns now, but this could change. Or perhaps you'll have a child who would really appreciate them. Or perhaps a grandchild... Guns can last several lifetimes if they're properly cared for. You might be preserving an heirloom that your progeny will thank you for many times over.

Please feel free to contact me via PM if you have any questions. I'd be glad to help.


David

 

[Iggy]

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear of your family's loss.

The prices listed in the S&W book are over 4 years out of date. The pre-1957 prices listed are closer to today's going prices. The fact they are in their original boxes etc. adds greatly to their value.

Those two revolvers represent the apex of S&W's old time quality firearms. Belonging to your Dad makes them even more valuable.

I have all of my Dad's old guns and they are priceless to me. They along with what I have accumulated will go to my Son and Grandson.

They can provide a life time of enjoyment and insight in to the family history, or pay for someone's college education if need be, but that will be their decisions.

 

[robctwo]

If you go to Gunbroker.com and put the models in the search box at the top of the page you will get a good idea of what these guns are selling for on the internet. I bought a very nice 4" Model 18 K22 this past year for $725 delivered.

They might bring less locally. There are costs involved with selling on line. Any time you sell a gun to a dealer you get trade in value, like with a car. The dealers sell for retail.

My dad passed away last year. I have his guns, but I'm a gun guy. I've sold or given away a lot of his power and hand tools, because they don't interest me. Having firearms around is a responsibility many do not want to assume. I have a safe.

I do some estate work. One thing I hear from people all the time is that they wish that they had waited a year before making any decisions about major things. Selling guns may or may not be a major thing. Lots of folks act quickly after a death and regret their decisions. Most of us are not thinking real clear for that first year.

Dad and I had an old Winchester rifle from an older uncle. We had it around for years. Too old and nice to take in the woods, so it didn't get shot. It had been carried on the stage coaches in Yellowstone when he was driving tours. We sold it. Got a decent price. I regret that sale now, 20 years later. I would bet that none of my family would want that gun after I'm gone. I plan on liquidating most of my guns in my later years for that very reason.

Sorry for the ramble.

 

[hboy35]

keep them if you can

I inherited almost all of my Dad's guns after he died, and one he gave to me a year before he died. I buy/sell guns as a hobby, but Dad's guns will never be sold by me. I have various mental pictures of Dad running out the back door with that old 12 gauge shotgun to shoot critters down by the chicken pen in his boxers---ok, probably too much information. But they mean something to me.

A few years ago, my mother-in-law gave me her late husband's only rifle, a neat little Winchester .22 semiauto. It is my 3 son's favorite to plink with. They never knew their granddad, but they enjoy what was passed down to them from him.

Sorry about the long post, but what I am trying to say is hang on to them. They will likely mean more to either you or someone you pass them to, than any buyer offering top dollar.

Welcome to THR! All of us guys benefit from a female perspective. Feel free to post/comment anytime.

 

[easyrider604]

You are Daddy's Girl.

Daddy's Girl should never sell Daddy's guns because they are priceless.

 

[788Ham]

Daddy's Girl,

My Pop passed on 4 years ago, he left me a couple of his hunting rifles, a Sav. 99 in .300 and a Sav. 99 in .250, neither of these will ever be sold. I can still remember walking behind him when deer hunting, thinking "One of these days, I hope he'll maybe let me have that rifle." When I get to really missing him, I'll go get that ol' .300 out and hold it, sight down the barrel and work the action, makes me feel a little closer at that time. Please don't sell those revolvers!

 

[oldestdaughter]

Having lost my Dad, I find his guns like the last thing that is him, here with me. Guess it is because he loved them so much. He shot all of them, kept them in great shape and just appreciated them all the way around.

I urge you to learn the history and how they came to your Dad and perhaps you will learn more of him thru it. Such has happened to me. I would not sell my Dad's guns for a million, I kid you not. Starving, maybe, but otherwise, they will go down the line when I die.

However, I do know times are hard, just giving my opinion here One daughter to another.

 

[Guillermo]

Daddy's Girl,

Certainly you can't keep everything of your father's but as long as they are well lubricated and kept in a dry place they are not deteriorating. And they don't take up much space.

I suggest that you keep them for a while and then decide if you really want to get rid of them.

If you do there are several ways to do so including the Trading Post on this site.

BTW, both are great guns and many of us would love to have them. But as mentioned, after you decide that you really don't want them, perhaps talk to some family.

 

[waidmann]

Sorry for your loss. There is merit in what all have offered in advice. The decision after suitable reflection is yours and there is no right or wrong answer. If you elect to sell I suggest one of the on-line auction sites, they will capture market value.


Best wishes.

 

[Daddy's Girl]

You are right!

Wow - thanks for all your input, kind words and suggestions! Called my brother in West Virgina, he would love to have them. I frankly did not think about him because money is tight and I thought the money would help. HOWEVER, due to all your words - whatever money I would get is a temporary fix and loosing a family heirloom........ is forever! So I am NOT selling!!!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

A very wise decision Daddy's Girl. One you will be happy you made for a long time!

 

[Guillermo]

Daddy's Girl

I am quite happy that you are able to keep them in the family.

Those are wonderful guns and I hope that your brother remembers your father every time he sees them.

FYI, be careful of the transfer laws if you are in another state.

PM to follow

 

[4v50 Gary]

Glad they're going to your brother. Make him promise never to give them away except to an heir. Write a letter and insert it into each box that the guns belonged to your father. Attach a picture of him, preferably with a gun. It'll increase its heirloom value.

 

[Smoovbiscuit]

Well I wouldn't rule out selling them if you weren't close to your father (but it sounds like you were close). My first guns were "given" to my brother and I by our grandfather when he was basically on his death bed. We drove from WA to CA to pick them up. When we got their he had forgotten saying we could have them, and tried to get $500 out of us for the guns. My grandmother was as offended as we were and just told him we paid for them already.

Sad, but true story. That was the last time I ever saw him.

So I didn't feel the lslightest bit bad about selling one of the guns. My bro wanted it to stay in the family, so he bought it. I didn't feel the same way because our grandfather didn't seem to want to pass them on to us anyways. I do still have two of his guns though.