S&W (M&P)made in 1946(6-inch).38 Special-value?

[slick6]

What would a "Pristine" NIB, 1946 vintage S&W(M&P)with a 6-inch barrel be worth, in your part of the Country? This gun is in the original gold box! The asking price is $550! Is this too much to pay? What would be your highest offer, for a gun like this? Is the 6-inch still desireable(Or, less desireable than the 4-inch?)? Were too many of these M&P's made, to make it not worth it to pay $550? This M&P looks as new as the day it was made by S&W and has the diamond grips!

 

[Old Fuff]

Six inch barrels were a little unusual at that time because the big demand from law enforcement was for shorter ones and S&W had made revolvers through the war in 2, 4 and 5 inch lengths, and therefore was tooled and ready to produce those barrels.

That said, only a SERIOUS collector would pay that asking price, even though its in the box. Three to four hundred would be closer to the ballpark. But a few years from now an as-new gun in the box may be going for $550.00 and even more.

 

[mjb]

I have seen guns like that with a high price tag, but I wouldn't pay $550 for it. I'm not saying the deal is a rip off, that is just my preferance. I have seen a Colt Official Police 6 inch barrel with a price tag of $500, but to me Colts are a higher priced gun than a S&W. The M&P S&W's are a common gun, and I have seen a few 6 inch k fame smiths out there, so I don't think it is a rare piece. To me, it would be in the $300 range before I would consider buying it. If you do purchase it, don't shoot +P ammo in it.

 

[HSMITH]

It depends of features, that should be a transitional gun and will have some post war and some pre war characteristics. The more pre war features the more it is worth. That gun will sell at $500 or more to a collector. You can pick up a very nice condition shooter in the $300 to $350 range, so unless you want to buy it and make a safe queen out of it pass it up. If you buy it and shoot it you would have a $350ish value shooter on your hands.

I am not sure the gold box is the right one for a '46 vintage gun, and I would be sure it was the correct box before I paid full premium price too. The guys over on the Smith and Wesson forum would be the ones to ask about specifics.

 

[Old Fuff]

The Gold boxes were introduced shortly after World War Two, so it cound be correct - but that doesn't mean it is. HSMITH has a good point. Be sure the end-label description matches the gun, and the gun's serial number should either be on the label, or more likely written on the bottom of the box.

"Original box" should mean exactly that.

 

[FPrice]

I like older S&W revolvers and this sounds like a good example although possibly a bit high. I'd suggest the old C. R. Sam strategy and bring cold, hard cash and lay down an offer, maybe $400-450 to start. Just decide how high you are willing to go and stick to it.

If this were in the People's Commonwealth of Massachusetts I'd ask you to let me know if you don't get it so that I could take a try at it.