ANSWERED - DO NOT BUMP

[auser6664]

...

[JTROKS]

I know you said it's a shooter, but does it have original box, papers and accessories? Original wood grips?

[HardwoodRods]

reblue it, cut it's value by half. need pics for attempted valuation

[Oceanbob]

I know you said it's a shooter, but does it have original box, papers and accessories? Original wood grips?

This^^^^^ is what adds value....

Can you post some good photos?

It's either a Shooter or a Collector gun. It's difficult to be both unless the
Bluing is 98% and you have the Box....etc.

Bob

[highpower]

It is really hard to judge the value of a gun with out a few pictures. I would say an 85% five screw M29 is going to be worth $800+ without the original cokes. If you add those in the deal the price will go to $1200-1300 pretty easily.

If you refinish it the value will be cut by 30-50% depending on who does the job. If you are going to use it as a shooter, why bother with refinishing it? If all you are going to do is sell it, why bother with refinishing it? You see a patten here?

[Mr. Beretta]

I have an 1956 S&W pre model 29 .44 magnum that I'm thinking of posting for sale. Blue finish. 6 1/2" barrel. What would be the best fair price to sell it?

It's definitely a shooter as it got few scratches but still in good condition and has 85-87% original blueing. No dings. I'm also thinking of reblueing it and using it as a shooter for a few years.

Anymore details available?

Confirming 5 screw?
Is the "S" sn in the S130000 range?
Serrated backstrap? 6 grooves or 10 grooves?
Any end shake?
Timing right on?
Lock up tight?
Any evidence of mods?
Is everything original (other than grips)?
Any metal erosion above the forcing cone?
Any detailed pics available?

[Mr. Beretta]

On 10/01/2016, we reblue a shooter gun that's valued $850 for $400. Will it sell for $1250, let's say in 10-15 years?

If you reblue your "shooter" for $400 or whatever, to increase its
value now or in the future, well...good luck with that.

If you're serious about hoping the value will increase then leave it alone. Don't touch it. Put it the safe and forget about it for 15 years.

The original finish on an early S&W (especially the 1st year of "The .44 Magnum") is much more desirable to a possible buyer than any refinish.

It may well sell for $1,250 fifth-teen years from now, but I can assure you, it won't be because of a reblue job.

[tonyjr]

What could you buy with 800 10 years ago ?
My house taxes have gone up 800 + a bunch more in the last 10 years .
I would keep it oiled in / on bare spots and shoot it . I think most people here trust someone with an ugly gun more than a pretty . You have a chrome gun - that says to me you don't hunt and maybe are new to shooting .
That means given a choice , I will be on the left of that person .
That is me , I have never sold a gun [ I am 70 ] and still have my 1st - J C Penny's 22 rifle yes it has wore out bluing , but it still shoots straight [ I don't know if it's barrel , sights or me but it needs resighting every year .

[Franklincollector]

Don't do anything. It's already a shooter, but that's ok, it's 60 years old. I wouldn't buy a refinished anything.

[auser6664]

@ tonyjr - Thanks, very valid point. I will remember it when I buy a gun next time.

I do not have a chrome gun. I am not sure how or where you got that. But you are correct; I am new to the shooting. I like to collect than shoot actually.- not that I am not going to shoot the guns I collect

@Franklincollector - Thanks. I think I now see the point.

[Franklincollector]

And you shouldn't sell that gun.

[kurac]

Condition estimates are very subjective and vary a lot from one gun nut to the next. Your 85-87% guesstimate might be actually be as low as 60% or has high as 95%. We can talk about it all day but a picture says a thousand words. If you don't know how to post one, send a pic to one of us and we will be more then happy to post one or a couple up for you.

[Franklincollector]

I'm giving you sound advice. If you're going to be a collector, collect old/rare guns plus ones you just like regardless of demand. In 5 or ten years you will have tons of awesome stuff. I like small pocket guns. Some have lots of value but most are 100 dollar junk guns, I don't care, I like them. I don't even count them when people ask how many guns I have, and I have like 50. But don't sell it. If you do, give me first wack at it.

[highpower]

I have a four screw M29 no dash serial number S200202 with a 4" barrel. Mine was made in 1959 and probably shipped in '60. It too, is a shooter and I love it for that very reason. The early Smith and Wesson's are increasing in value at a steady rate, but collectors are a funny breed and when a gun has been refinished, the value plummets.

Those original coke bottle stocks on your gun are worth a pretty penny all by themselves and IMO, they should be kept on that gun.

It is not a crime to be primarily a collector rather than a shooter. I have many guns that I have never shot and never will. Sometimes it is due to the high condition of the particular piece and sometimes it may be due to age and rarity.

They are MY guns and I, and I alone, will determine whether I will shoot them or not. I have a M29-2 that is still new in the presentation case and for that reason, it will never be shot by me. The old M29 gets the workout when I am in a .44 mag mood.

I have been collecting for a bit over forty years and I can say that I have never regretted keeping a gun, I have however, regretted selling many.

[highpower]

Thanks Highpower. Do you mind sharing some of the guns that you own and never fired? Just curious, that's all.

Some of the Smith and Wessons:

M29-2


M27-2


M19-2


M66 no dash


M15-3


M57


A couple of Colts:

Single action in .44WCF


1930 Officers Model Target


1851 Navy


There are more, but I don't want to make this post too lengthy.