Police Positive Target(Value, hurt much, if "Reblu

Aimhigh

S&W Police Positive Target:

I have a chance to buy an S&W Police Positive Target(.22 caliber)revolver, that seems to be in fine mechanical condition(But, it appears, to have been "Reblued" at some time)? This gun, was made in 1933 and, is the 2nd model "C', with the slightly, heavier frame. The rebluing, although, it looks nice, doesn't look to be a 100%(Excellent) bluing job(maybe a "9", on a scale from 1-10?)but, my thinking, is that(Based upon the Fjestad Bluebook of Gun Values)this particular gun, holds, high book values, all the way down to as low as 20% overall condition)! And, in view of this, it would seem, that even with this gun, being "Reblued"(But still, in excellent mechanical condition(With tight action and lock-up!)that it should still be able to bring more money(Whenever sold?)than the $250 price, I can get this old, PPT, for)? So, this is what I'm asking for: Some forum members, to respond, and to give me their opinion's, if this is still a reasonable buy(Despite, the "Rebluing")and, if it would probably, still be possible, to eventually, make a little "Profit" on this gun(Or, if not(And I therefore should pass-up, this gun, in this case?))? Thanks!

22WRF

quote:S&W Police Positive Target

Better recheck that since Colt made the Police Positive


I married a Moonshiners Daughter and I Love her Still

bobski

yes it does. period. rule of thumb, used cars are painted to hide previous abuse. guns are reblued to hide 'something'. if the gun was rebuilt and reblued, why was it rebuilt and reblued? get my point?

Aimhigh

No, the gun, is not, a Police Positive! It is instead, the much more "Rare" Police Positive Target(With target sights)! The serial number, is in the 39550-40499 range(For the PPT Model "C")made in 1933!

Herschel

Aimhigh, I believe you have missed the point of 22WRF's post. The pistol, Police Positive Target Model (second issue, Model "C") is a product of COLT, I repeat A PRODUCT OF COLT, not Smith & Wesson as you say in your original post.

nmyers

Aimhigh, I think that what we have here is a failure to communicate.

It's a COLT ; it's not a S&W. It doesn't matter if it's a Police Positive, or a Police Positive Target, it's still a COLT.

If you think that $250 is a fair price for a "shooter" that meets your needs, go ahead & buy it. But, Fjestad's logic is good: It has no collector value. Don't expect it to be an investment.

Neal

bobski

and to clarify my answer, i was answering the title question: 'is it hurt by reblueing?' and my answwer is colt or s&w doesnt matter.....'yes it does hurt.'
hope this helps my answer.

Aimhigh

1)Yes, I did not, correctly state, that the PPT in question, was(In fact!)a Colt(Instead of an S&W)as my mind was still on the S&W forum, whenever I posted this(Yikes! Is this what getting older, is all about?)!

2)I agree, that being "reblued", does hurt the collector value of any gun! But, I was still thinking that(In view of the overall, range, of unbelieveably, high book values, shown for this gun, even in "Trashed" condition(Example: In Fjestad's bluebook, 10% condition, shows a value of $210!)so, my assumption, was, that even in "Reblued" condition, at a purchase price of $250, this gun, should still be considered, to be much higher rated than this(And, if so, should leave room, to still, make a little profit?)? Following, is the overall, % ratings, and, the values shown, in Fjestad's Bluebook of Gun Values(24th Edition):

100%=$750
98%=$625
95%=$575
90%=$525
80%=$475
70%=$425
60%=$390
50%=$360
40%=$325
30%=$285
20%=$250
10%=$210

Based on the above, where would you all, place a nice looking, 1933 vintage, "Reblued" Police Positive Target, in the above ranges, that appears to me mechanically sound, with the original(Wood)grips, in good condition(With a good looking bore)etc.? Just give an honest "Guess"? Thanks!

nmyers

The % in the Blue Book is "% of original finish". A refinished gun has 0% original finish. So, figure a value less than that given for 10%.

Neal

Contender Man

If it is in top mechanical condition and you can get it for $250 then decide if it's worth that much to you. However, if it is reblued and the job is not a factory refinish then offer less and use the rationale that the reblue has bascially "zapped" the collecter side of things ... and you may get it for less.

Then one day if you want to decide to sell it ... put a couple hundred more than you paid for it as the sale price and be prepared to come down.

Lastly the crispness of the lettering, etc., is lost when a piece is refinished ... look it over in good light ... are the engraving lines still sharp are do they appear worn. The stronger the look of the lines the better the job. And in strong light you should be able to better see any surface imperfections that may still exist.



If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!

Aimhigh

Well, whenever I first, posted(And, started this thread)the reason, that I was "Critical" of the bluing job, on this PPT(Was because of the fact that this gun, had not been polished(Before rebluing)because, no effort, was made, to polish out some tiny indentations, on the lower(Rear)of the sideplate)not, the appearance of the bluing, itself! Based upon, what has been said here(about the very fine markings, on the gun, possibly being polished away(Or, wore down, etc.)because of being ("Over-polished")prior to the "Rebluing" process, definately, has not been done, on the PPT, in question-because, I had been able to read, all of the very "Delicate" markings, everywhere on this gun!)and, this looks to be a "Positive"(That I didn't think of before)since I was mostly, just concentrating, on the issue, that the very tiny(Speckles, of indentation's) had not been removed, before the "Rebluing" of this gun! So(At least)the "Negative"(Mentioned before)of the likelyhood, of some of the gun's markings, being removed(From pre-polishing, before rebluing)did not take place, on this PPT! So, my question now is, in view of the fact that all of this gun's markings, have been left intact("Preserved")does just the "Rebluing'(In itself?)cause the "Collectibility" value, of this PPT, to still fall to "Zero"-or, not? Meaning, that even at a price of $250, that this still, would not, be a good "Buy"? Please comment?

rfo1

I would not pay $250.00 for this gun hoping to resell it one day for a profit.If you are buying it as a shooter for just fun plinking $250.00 is not a lot to spend. A .22 in the condition you describe should last you a lifetime.If looking to sell it for a profit down the road look for one that hasn't been reblued--but be prepared to pay more than that. Just my .02 cents worth.
rfo1

"I'm Your Huckleberry."
Val Kilmer "Tombstone"

22WRF

No matter how much to write about it here. It's now a "shooter" and nothing is going to change that.
If It's worth $250 to you buy it.
As C&R person I would prefer a PPT that was just brown patina and would not buy a reblued on.
Then again I would not be buying one to make "profit"


I married a Moonshiners Daughter and I Love her Still