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Smith and Wesson 357 Magnum

dodge69dodge69 Member Posts: 949 ✭✭
edited April 2018 in Ask the Experts
I need some help. I have taken a Smith and Wesson Combat Magnum, Special Engraved Variation, Blue finish, Class A Engraved according to the letter I have received from Smith and Wesson. It appears to be unfired and is in a presentation case which the letter said was added later. It also has ivory hand carved grips of a completely nude lady made by what is now Eagle grip company. The ivory grips had a crack repair so I replaced the with Altamont rose wood carved grips to kind of match the carving of the gun. I did not have the letter from S&W at the time which would have told me the gun should have Gonealo Alves target grips.
I do not buy and sell guns I collect lever Winchesters and will be looking to sell or trade this gun but I have no idea what it is worth and can send pictures to somebody who can help me out
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Comments

  • Henry0ReillyHenry0Reilly Member Posts: 10,892 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My best guess is $2500 or more, based on what I found on recent completed auctions for models with no engraving. It might be considerably more.

    One very good way to get the top dollar is to put it up for auction here with no reserve.

    Detailed description and photos of every aspect are required.

    This seller lists high value firearms regularly and does quite well:

    https://www.GunBroker.com/All/search?IncludeSellers=618902

    This forum member collects S&W and may be able to help you out:

    http://forums.GunBroker.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5517
    I used to recruit for the NRA until they sold us down the river (again!) in Heller v. DC. See my auctions (if any) under username henryreilly
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  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'd look for the correct set of grips first.

    added So elsewhere a factory class A engraved (nickle plated later) model 19-3 1974 with letter 4" barrel in wood box is expected to sell for between $1800 and 3000.

    I would think yours should be worth more. High end display pieces don't often sell for full price right away, sometimes you need to wait for that collector to find you.

    I think that a lettered NIB would sell itself at the current fair market price if you start at a buck or a couple of grand.
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  • dodge69dodge69 Member Posts: 949 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Henry, I have sold guns on gun broker but I do not understand why you feel selling one with no reserve will bring a better price than having a reserve?
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  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dodge69
    Henry, I have sold guns on gun broker but I do not understand why you feel selling one with no reserve will bring a better price than having a reserve?


    No reserve means many more bidders will make "why the heck not" type bids, increasing the total number of bidders, total number of people with "interest" in the outcome, total number of bids, and also increase the chance for bidding competition between bidders who become "invested" in the outcome.

    Bidders know what when there is a "no reserve" auction the item will sell, and this auction will be their only shot at that particular item.

    More than once I've seen items listed with a reserve that didn't sell or even attract much bidding interest end up selling for greater than the reserve when started with no reserve.

    I agree it doesn't really "make sense" but human bidding psychology is irrational and that's why "no reserve" is better.
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  • dodge69dodge69 Member Posts: 949 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My real problem is, I do not know the value of the item I am selling. Is it a good idea to put it up for sale for best bid a let the market decide or hope the right person will see what you have for sale. More than once I have made a really good buy and have no idea why the bidding stopped.
    There is just that many factory engraved guns that I have seen on any sight for me to have a clear idea of the value of my gun.
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  • Ricci WrightRicci Wright Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It all depends on how the gun is presented. Lots of good clear photos and a decent write up gets top dollar. And NO RESERVE.
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  • iceracerxiceracerx Member Posts: 8,860 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Ricci Wright
    It all depends on how the gun is presented. Lots of good clear photos and a decent write up gets top dollar. And NO RESERVE.


    And don't forget to include paragraph breaks in the 'write up'.
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  • Ricci WrightRicci Wright Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Brother I try to do paragraphs but it never works. I have even tried doubling them to no avail. [V]
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  • dodge69dodge69 Member Posts: 949 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am just going to hold off trying to sell the gun until I have some idea what it is worth. Seems everybody got caught up in how I should present the gun when selling it rather than give advice as to the value of the gun. As I have stated I know very little about hand guns let alone a factory engraved one. In review of the various sites I see very few specialty guns and it really is little help looking at page after page of guns with prices and no bids.
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  • Ricci WrightRicci Wright Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Perhaps you should allow a professional to sell your gun. May I suggest Locust Fork? Kasey will get you top dollar for sure.
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  • oldWinchesterfanoldWinchesterfan Member Posts: 1,050 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When you search completed items sort by highest number of bids to sort those with no bids to the bottom.
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