Whats this sw gun worth

[rjteam]

Hello, I am new here, I have a smith wesson that has a VERY large amount of engraving on the gun and revolver, IVORY handle, on the barrell it has 38 3 a symbly then s. ctg

on the top of the barrell shows pat dates of feb6 06 sept 14 09, dec 29 14

The barrel leinght is 4 1/2 it is perfect shape, I have no use for this gun, what is it worth??

I can send pictures if needed, rjteam at aol.com

 

[Pistol Toter]

More Info Required.

I would suggest that you post some pictures as well as any and all information stamped on the gun. Use a magnifying glass if necessary. If I understand what you have given us, it some very well embellished .38 S&W which is different than a .38 S&W Spl.. It would be old and maybe valuable. The serial number can be found in several places but most easily on the bottom of the grip frame. Again more information is needed and a picture is worth a thousand words. The symbol probably looks something like this &. ctg. is an abbreviation for the the word cartridge.

 

[XavierBreath]

To know what any gun is worth, it must be inspected by a buyer, and a price agreed to between the buyer and seller. A given gun is worth only what a buyer and a seller agree to, no more, no less.

With photos of your revolver, some here, including myself, might be able to identify the firearm and hazard a WAG (wild guess). Without photos, all we can say is your firearm is probably worth between $20 and $5000.

However, if the grips are indeed ivory, then they alone are worth upwards of $250. The way to test them is to remove them, and heat a needle cherry red. Apply the hot needle to the reverse of the grips. The smoke should smell like burning hair. If not, the grips are bone. If the needle melts into the grip, they are plastic of ivory impregnated plastic. It is often difficult to tell.

An engraved gun's value is determined by the quality of the engraving, the coverage of the engraving, the type of the engraving, and finally, who the engraver as. Poor quality engraving can ruin a gun. Some period "barbershop" and "South of the Border" engraving on particular firearms can be interesting to some collectors, but not all. Some collectors eschew engraved guns like the plague.

To post a photo, hit the "Go Advanced" button. Next use the little yellow icon on the top of the type-in box. A pop-up window will appear to allow you to upload photos to the forum's data base. From there, I can help you include them in your post.

 

[rjteam]

ser # 771962 on the bottom of gun and on the revolver HP in a round circle with 3 lines above circle on the revolver part
there is EI8 with 2 swords on the side of the gun.

I can tell it has fixed sights
Just wank to know what it is worth, B4 I try to sell it,,,I need to get my son an ar-15 and ,a glock 40, glock 9mm,police type 12g shot gun

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE HELP
My son is going in the police dept

I also have other rifels, and shotguns, OLD ones, if interested let me know

 

[Maxinquaye]

RJTeam good for you helping your son out. If you email me the pictures I will host and post them for you. I'm sending you an email now.

 

[Maxinquaye]

Didn't even need to host them. Here's three shots; the whole album is available Here.

 

[rjteam]

smith wesson revolver

http://pictures.aol.com/ap/myAlbums.do

here is a link to the pictures,,,Richard

 

[ryan b]

it looks as old 5 screw pre model 10 38spl the engraving does not appear to be factory I would get a letter from smith and wesson to it if it is factory engraving it would be worth more i would not think it is a 1500.00 gun but the value isto what someone is willing to pay

 

[rcmodel]

The grips are very likely Fitz brand, Injection-molded Tenite plastic.

At any rate, they are definitely not real Ivory or Bone.


rcmodel

 

[Pistol Toter]

What you have is a .38 Military & Police Model 1905 4th Change. It was most likely produced circa 1935 - 1936. Let me put my standard clause here: “I am not an expert.” If the grips are indeed Ivory they maybe worth several hundred dollars. The gun minus the engraving is probably worth between $300 and $400. The engraving is hard to appraise, however add maybe another $200 to $300. In the right market you might get $700 to $800. If the right fellow walks up and the gun is really spectacular; at best $1000. To me it looks like there are some plating issues on the right hand side of the barrel, but that maybe lighting. The case harden colors are gone. My gut feeling is that you’ll get several $500 offers and not much better. If the engraving is non-factory and the stocks fake; the price goes DOWN. Good luck!

 

[Bill B.]

IMO that S&W isn't factory engraved and the grips are as stated above plastic. It is worth Blue Book price based on wear & tear.

 

[Gordon]

A $450-$550 gun around here.

 

[Texas Moon]

Yep. $400-450 max.

 

[XavierBreath]

The grips are not ivory. They are plastic, most likely a brand called Franzinite.

The engraving is not factory. It is typical of a "barber shop" style.

The revolver was refinished after it was engraved. It was heavily polished prior to engraving and refinishing.

Your S&W Model of 1905 4th change is a Lend-Lease "British Victory Model," also known as a .38/200, a K-200, and a "Pre-Model 11." Someone dolled it up to make it what it never was. These revolvers were sent to Great Britian prior to the US entering WWII. Many came back to the States later, and were sold for about twenty - thirty bucks each. Most had a poor .38 special conversion prior to re-importation. Is there a V prefix to the serial number on the butt of the gun? There should be.

I would place the market value at $200-250.

If you want to sell it, go to the Handgun Buy Sell Trade Forum. You can not sell it here. Make certain you follow the rules there. You may want to try Auction Arms, Gun Broker, or walk a gun show as well.

 

[rjteam]

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, kinda of a let down,,,the gun is nice, the plating is in GREAT shape,,,was the light...I will try to sell it where you suggested,,,AGAIN THANK YOU, I have other guns I enherted ,,old shot gun, 20 g with a 38 or something,,guess I will take them to a gun show, Need to get my son his stuff for the police dept,,,Richard

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just wank to know what it is worth, B4 I try to sell it,,,I need to get my son an ar-15 and ,a glock 40, glock 9mm,police type 12g shot gun

My son is going in the police dept

rjteam,
It's a little strange that your son has to supply all his own firearms. Are you sure he has to buy them all himself? Most PD's supply their Offcers with their duty weapons, especially when it comes to AR-15's and Shotguns. Sometimes they have to pay for their handgun but I really have never heard of them paying for or having to buy rifles.