1952 S&W Chief's Special .38 Value Question

[currytoys]

I have a 1952 Smith & Wesson Chief's Special .38 Revolver, Nickel Finish, Completely Engraved with Custom Pearl Grips with Star Emblem on each side of the grips. This gun originally belonged to the Sheriff of Tarrant County in Texas. It's absolutely beautiful. Serial Number is 8434. I have detailed photographs of this gun and the full history fact sheet about it from the Historian of Smith & Wesson as well as an official letter from the retired Sheriff of Tarrant County, TX. He also included his Official Badge with his Signature on the back of it, so I have the complete package here. I took it to our local gun shop here in St. Louis and they could not determine a value for it. Thanks for any help you could give me.
Sandy in St. Louis, [email protected]

 

[chris in va]

I have one of that vintage as well, once carried by the Chief of Police in Bayonne NJ. I never bothered to find the value though, mine's a keeper and heirloom.

 

[currytoys]

Yes, it's really a work of art, but I need the money right now so thought about selling it. I have a Glock 27 .40 Cal and I have the exchangeable .22 converter for it and I have the S&W Texas Hold 'Em Engraved Model 36 from a few years ago, so I really do need to part with this one if I can get the right price for it.
Sandy

 

[csmkersh]

It's a BBQ gun and has a good value. Shame you don't know who did the engraving as that and provenance could further increase the value. Wish you were near San Antonio TX.
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[currytoys]

The engraving was probably done by Smith & Wesson but I'm not sure. I bought this a little over a year ago for $2,025 and am thinking about keeping it now. It really is a gem and I do hate to part with it.
Sandy in St. Louis...

 

[csmkersh]

That's mostly close to the current value without a letter from S&W tieing it to the Sheriff. You might check here for what S&W is getting for the current crop of Custom Shop engraved handguns.
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