Help me figure out a gun value

[41magsnub]

I have a S&W 657 41 magnum 3" barrel that I would grade at 98% though I am a total amateur at grading. There is scuff mark on the wood grip and it has a cylinder ring. I still have the box, all paperwork, and the useless little screwdriver it comes with. I have the original wood grips as well as a set of pachmyer decelerator grips I bought in an attempt to make it usable. I'm too much of a pantywaist to use it right. The trigger is too different from my rugers and it does not fit my hand right. Every time I shoot it I just teach myself to flinch.

The 3" barrel is relatively rare as I understand it. This particular variation is not in my Blue Book at all. The only auction I have seen is at $800 currently and has not met the reserve yet though that one is NIB. Any thoughts on value? Before I do anything I want to see where that auction ends up of course, but one auction does not equal a trend.


Note: I can't seem to get a readable picture of the label to save my life. It says:

481 in top left corner
Model No. 657
Caliber .41
Barrel 3
Fin. S
Stock RB RR
Features WO
Serial No ANExxxx
Product Code 103951
Spec Ord. 6230

 

[Ala Dan]

Your 3" S&W model 657 .41 Magnum is rather rare, as most were of the
4" and 6" barrel lengths. I think the 3" model 657's were a special run for
Lew Horton Distributing, and not available thru normal channels. I would
tend to say that your weapon would be worth from $850-900 easily, with
box, doc's, and grips.

 

[Oro]

The above notes from Ala Dan and value are correct from what I know.

There were several thousand of these made, in parallel with blue and stainless .44 mag models in the mid 80s. Three to five thousand of each were made, so they are "scarce" but not really "rare." I believe the numbers produced were 5,000 each of the 29-3 and 629-1, and 3,000 of the 657 all for Lew Horton Distributing. They were available from any dealer who wanted to order via them, just like they currently do business. These "Customs" were largely inspired by the success of the Jovino "effector" customs built on N frames in the late 70s/early 80s (N frames cut down to 2.5" and grips rounded to approximate K frame RB dimensions except at the knuckle).

That you have all the box, docs/etc. is a big plus, and that the factory grips were removed and preserved is also a plus. The gun has seen a fair amount of use, carry, or shooting based on the condition of the finish, but overall should fetch north of $800 to the right collector. Without the accessories, I would estimate $650, so those are adding quite a bit. If it were NIB I'd say $1000 to $1100, but used like that I'd say $800 to $900 would be very good to get in the current market. I have a .44 version of this so I watch the ones for sale and keep up on the prices.

PS- the screwdriver isn't useless, it's just designed to fit the windage screw on the rear sight and nothing else. That's why it won't work on anything else.

 

[41magsnub]

Thanks guys!

 

[Guillermo]

around here I would call that a 800 dollar gun.

she is a beauty