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Knew my M659 was odd...

DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
edited March 2015 in General Discussion
I have a S&W 659 that was sold as surplus by the Atlanta PD. Looking at it I knew it had some odd features. Seemed to have parts from later models incorporated into it. Recently learned I was right. It's a transition model hand assembled by S&W to fill a police order (guessing Atlanta PD) as the catalog guns didn't have exactly what they wanted. S&W has a history of making small, special order runs for cops. Story goes they only made 150 of these and then started making the 5906 which filled the bill.

So some collector sees a photo I posted and contacts me wanting to buy it. The gun is not special to me so if he's willing to give me enough to replace it with a 5906 and make a little profit I'm good with that. A 5906 seems to run around $350. So I ask him what he'll give me for my special order 659. I'm thinking if there's only 150 of these it should be worth enough so that I might make a tidy profit.

He offers me $350. Sheesh. What's the point? I said thanks but I'll just keep it since it isn't valuable enough to warrant selling it and buying a replacement. I wonder if he was trying to lowball me or if the special order 659 really isn't worth a premium over the catalog 5906 gun?

BTW- I'm not complaining. I'm simply relating the story.
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Too old to live...too young to die...
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Comments

  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    I saw quite a few of these "transitional" guns back when S&W dumped them on the market. Some of the big distributors sold them off fast and cheap.

    Even so, I would figure your gun is worth considerably more than $350.
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  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    I wonder what he'd want for it if it were his...[:0]
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It would no doubt get a lot more valuable by virtue of him owning it.
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  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    S&W released lots of both full size and compact semiautos made with a mix of Gen parts.
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    They called them "transitional" models, but in reality, it was just a way to get rid of leftover parts from the previous generation.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Police department guns will usually bring a premium if:

    1) in original box, or
    2) PD marked, or
    3) special model or dash number

    SWM681NYSP.jpg

    Neal
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  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Doc
    I have a S&W 659 that was sold as surplus by the Atlanta PD. Looking at it I knew it had some odd features. Seemed to have parts from later models incorporated into it. Recently learned I was right. It's a transition model hand assembled by S&W to fill a police order (guessing Atlanta PD) as the catalog guns didn't have exactly what they wanted. S&W has a history of making small, special order runs for cops. Story goes they only made 150 of these and then started making the 5906 which filled the bill.

    So some collector sees a photo I posted and contacts me wanting to buy it. The gun is not special to me so if he's willing to give me enough to replace it with a 5906 and make a little profit I'm good with that. A 5906 seems to run around $350. So I ask him what he'll give me for my special order 659. I'm thinking if there's only 150 of these it should be worth enough so that I might make a tidy profit.

    He offers me $350. Sheesh. What's the point? I said thanks but I'll just keep it since it isn't valuable enough to warrant selling it and buying a replacement. I wonder if he was trying to lowball me or if the special order 659 really isn't worth a premium over the catalog 5906 gun?

    BTW- I'm not complaining. I'm simply relating the story.



    I'm thinking its a low ball over shesh was right. He probably figured he'd try and steal it from you.
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  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,352 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lowballers want a counter offer. You should gIve him one.
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  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,352 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lowballers want a counter offer. You should gIve him one.
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have quite a few agency marked revolvers...

    standard.jpg


    standard.jpg


    (St. Louis PD)
    standard.jpg



    This is the only auto pistol I have with a departmental stamping...


    standard.jpg
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • misstmisst Member Posts: 707 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is this the same kind of gun?

    Auction # 475227015
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mine has wrap around grips but otherwise looks similar.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Seems low Doc. Make a counter offer and meet him in the middle if you want to get rid of it. If not, just add it to your collection to pass down or too whomever. Oakie
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  • misstmisst Member Posts: 707 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Doc
    Mine has wrap around grips but otherwise looks similar.

    id compare his serial number to yours and see if it's close. His looks good and has the box with paper work. Does yours? Are your wrap around grips original?He's asking $650 but no bids. If yours IS the same model, when it sells, that may give you an idea. You may be accusing your dealer wrongly. Or you could be right. Lots of factors come into play with a collectible.
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