A long time ago my mother-in-law showed me her old S&W .38 Chiefs Special Model 36 revolver that was custom engraved and came w/ another one done exactly the same way and is a consecutive serial number. I didn't really think anything of it then because I was a newb and never really cared about revolvers. Now that I've "grown" a little I'd like to see if anyone knows what these revolvers may be worth.
She doesn't remember when her father bought the pair but it she thinks it was around the mid '70s. They were not engraved from the factory but sent to a smith that put the beautiful engraving finish on them; the pictures and words cannot accurately depict how awesome the work looks. Then a man from the North East purchased one from her father. When she found out her father had sold one she wanted it to complete the set so called him up and purchased it back. She still has the original box, paper work and cleaning brush from S&W.
The pictures are of the one that is still in an unfired condition...I didn't get pictures of the other but it has been fired a few times and looks identical to this one. The trigger pull on them is absolutely amazing. So light in single action it's astonishing but the double action is very smooth and crisp. I'm hoping I can convince her to let a highly qualified gunsmith give them a once over to make sure they're as clean as they can be. I noticed what looks like some corrosion in a few corners but it is very light and looks to be merely on the surface. After that I hope to have them put in some glass display cases.
Enough with the talking here's the pics:
Hi-res image links
Pic 1
Pic 2
She doesn't remember when her father bought the pair but it she thinks it was around the mid '70s. They were not engraved from the factory but sent to a smith that put the beautiful engraving finish on them; the pictures and words cannot accurately depict how awesome the work looks. Then a man from the North East purchased one from her father. When she found out her father had sold one she wanted it to complete the set so called him up and purchased it back. She still has the original box, paper work and cleaning brush from S&W.
The pictures are of the one that is still in an unfired condition...I didn't get pictures of the other but it has been fired a few times and looks identical to this one. The trigger pull on them is absolutely amazing. So light in single action it's astonishing but the double action is very smooth and crisp. I'm hoping I can convince her to let a highly qualified gunsmith give them a once over to make sure they're as clean as they can be. I noticed what looks like some corrosion in a few corners but it is very light and looks to be merely on the surface. After that I hope to have them put in some glass display cases.
Enough with the talking here's the pics:
Hi-res image links
Pic 1
Pic 2