To shoot or not to shoot

[JTHunter]

EIB0879 - before doing anything with or to that revolver, get it appraised. What you learn from that might help you determine your course of action. Granted, being a specific department's commemorative could limit its value but, until you know, do nothing.
I inherited an old .32-20 revolver, a S&W "Model of 1905 - 4th change", that I have shot to see how well it worked. A few years ago, I had two different vendors at a local gun show check it out. One asked if I still had the box (I don't) and said it would be rated at 98-100% if I did. Without the box, it dropped to 95-98% and, even at that level, the books rated it at over $1800. This gun was NOT a commemorative or engraved but just a stock gun of the time. As "stepped case" revolvers are somewhat rare, this gun, even though older than yours, is "retired" to emergencies only use.

 

[EIB0879]

Legionnaire -good analysis. It's like that expensive bottle of scotch that you never open and drink because it is worth so much. You could die wondering what it taste like.

I happy to not shoot it for now but I can't say I won't in the future. If I knew I had a week left on the earth I would probably be at the range every day with all of my firearms including this one. With a lot of ammo.

 

[EIB0879]

EIB0879 - before doing anything with or to that revolver, get it appraised. What you learn from that might help you determine your course of action. Granted, being a specific department's commemorative could limit its value but, until you know, do nothing.
I inherited an old .32-20 revolver, a S&W "Model of 1905 - 4th change", that I have shot to see how well it worked. A few years ago, I had two different vendors at a local gun show check it out. One asked if I still had the box (I don't) and said it would be rated at 98-100% if I did. Without the box, it dropped to 95-98% and, even at that level, the books rated it at over $1800. This gun was NOT a commemorative or engraved but just a stock gun of the time. As "stepped case" revolvers are somewhat rare, this gun, even though older than yours, is "retired" to emergencies only use.

Again, I have no desire to sell it. I don't need the money. I believe my Dad would say, if you aren't going to sell it, enjoy it however you like.

 

[Legionnaire]

I believe my Dad would say, if you aren't going to sell it, enjoy it however you like.

Exactly! Sounds like he was a great Dad!

And the scotch? When you finally do get around to opening it, you can enjoy the fact that you're drinking a very expensive bottle of scotch!

 

[redneck2]

When I worked at the LGS, we had a guy bring in a gun much like yours. It had never been out of the box. Ever. Sat in the closet from the day he bought it.

So, the guy that had it wants to sell it. We lift it out to take a look and the entire underside that was contacting the felt was rusted. Bad. Really bad. That $1,000-1,200 gun went to maybe $150.

I would never ever store a pistol in a felt lined box.

I have a friend that inherited several high end rifles and shotguns. They were stored in a wooden gun rack that had felt padding. The barrels all rusted where they were in contact with the felt padding

I get really ticked at my wife because she wants to save everything like brand new. We have China that’s 40 years old that’s never been used. She would not use the power windows or seats on our previous vehicle so they didn’t wear out. The new owner got a really nice car and we got zero extra for it

As for shooting, to me its kinda like marrying the most beautiful woman imaginable, then never sleeping with her because you want her to always be a virgin.

I’d assume the next owner will have a really nice shooting LNIB gun