Dad's old Gun

I think you can try gun broker.com and compare yours with they listing

Or, you could read the Sticky thread in this forum, and post the necessary information in post #1 to give you more then a pretty good guess.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372213

rc

Yep looks like a 36 to me, worth 5 or 600 buck, looks like it needs some TLC. Say it was your Dads, don`t ever let go of it...............

No way a 36 in that condition is worth 500 - 600 bucks.
Rode hard and put away wet from a house fire doesn't bring that kind of money.

Even if it is a flat-latch.

rc

Agreed. The finish on that gun is absolutely shot (unless the picture makes it look worse than it is).
So much of the value is based on cosmetic condition, I wouldn't be surprised if that $500-600 range was cut in half, but I'm not expert on the rare flat-latch S&Ws.

Don`t tell me that, because I know better.............

http://www.gunbroker.com/Revolvers/BI.aspx?Keywords=S&W+model+36

^^^
That's great. Now show me an example, in similar condition to the one the OP is showing, that has sold in the $500-600 range. Posting every example of a 36 that's for sale on gunbroker doesn't tell me anything.

This is as close as I can find. It's a flat latch, and in poor condition, although admitedly it is likely in worse condition than the OP's gun.

You give me one day with that pistol & I will make it look like you just took it out of the box & it will bring 7 or 800 bucks..............

Recent sales on gunbroker.com show Model 36 Flat Latch's which are in great to NIB selling from 300-550 including the original boxes. Heck I think the box alone for it is what makes them valuable to collectors.

RC is right on this one. In that condition its a project gun. Even if you spent time $$ and TLC into it it wouldn't be as desirable as the ones I saw on GB. I dont think you would achieve full value because there are just so many of these revolvers out there floating around, even the early ones made in the 1950's.

The OP has a piece of family history on his hands with some great stories to boot with the dad actually using it as a service revolver and it surviving the fire and all. To me that would be priceless.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=263208731

Recent sale for one in great condition with box.

I wouldnt do anything to it but make sure its in working order. Then I'd buy some standard .38 spl ammo and go shoot it!

You give me one day with that pistol & I will make it look like you just took it out of the box & it will bring 7 or 800 bucks..............

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It's been through a house fire, there is NOTHING you can do to that sixgun to make it worth $700-$800. You can't magically bring the original finish back or negate the effects of a fire. It's a paperweight.

There's a really nice one locally for $500. In the box with paperwork.

Dad's service BUG? Priceless.

Depending on how hot it got in the fire, it's either fine for shooting, or it's a paperweight.
As long as the frame/cylinder/barrel didn't get above the tempering temperature of whichever one was tempered at the lowest temp, it's fine.

Refinishing that gun will not bring it's value up above what it is, because it's no longer original.
Rebluing guns lowers their collector value, it does not increase it, unless yt was a total dog that you rebuilt/refinished purely for the intent of being a good shooter.
Even then, it's value is only as a shooter.

If there is fire damage, IE: loss of temper, it can be re-heat treated and made safe to shoot again.

Apparently since the house fire happened the gun was checked out and grips replaced. After all, Dad was a pro and wouldn't trust his life to a paperweight.

in that shape, 125-150

The idea that it could be refinished and worth 550 is ludicrous. Original guns bring the big bucks.

of course being Dad's BUG, it will never be sold. nor should it.

bet that old flat-latch could tell some stories

Love it. Keep it just like it is. It reminds you of Dad. NEVER sell it. Leave it your appreciative child.

I wish I had anything of my dad's.

Just because he was a cop doesn't mean he knew anything about guns, no offense.
I've met more cops who are clueless about guns and also can't shoot worth a damn, than who do and can.
We are talking about government training.

I don't want to get off topic, but I wonder if 303Tom could post some before and after pictures of guns in similar condition that he made look like new. Those who can do that are thin on the ground and many people would want that service.

Jim

Well Jaymo,

Of course you are correct.

But I would HOPE that the gun had been gone through and tested.

I am with Jim

I would love to see some before and after pictures of 303Tom's projects.

I would hope so, too. I hate to hear of anyone having a gun disintegrate.
It could be a good candidate for a Parkerized finish or Dura Coat.

I like those old flat cyl latches better than the later latches. There's just something about a flat latch Smith that just looks right.

I am with Jim

I would love to see some before and after pictures of 303Tom's projects.

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I didn't want to derail the thread, but I sent him a PM asking what he would do to increase the value to that degree. If he gets back to me, i'll post.

If it were mine?

I wouldn't even consider refinishing it.

Right now, you have a free gun your late father left to you.
And a living piece of family history you can hold in your hand while telling your kids about thier grandfather the cop someday, and the fire that burned the house.

Refinished, you have a refinished S&W worth maybe three bills that you paid at least two bills to have the living family history erased forever.

Tell that story to your kids.

rc

CraigC said:

It's been through a house fire, there is NOTHING you can do to that sixgun to make it worth $700-$800. You can't magically bring the original finish back or negate the effects of a fire. It's a paperweight.

There's a really nice one locally for $500. In the box with paperwork.

Click to expand...

That is what you think, besides it is not a sixgun, its a fivegun.