[buffalo42]

Hi everyone,
Am new to the forum. I saw Forrester's post and thought I might find some help figuring what it is I have inherited in the S&W part of a friend's collection. Are any of these collectables or particularly valuable? Looks like all have been shot sparingly, perhaps once or twice and three are in the original boxes. Which one(s) would you keep?

Here are the particulars from left to right;

Holstered 357 Mag SN K489XXX Mod 19-2 4"
22 Long SN K844XXX Mod17-3 6"
357 Patrolman SN S331XXX Mod 100 28-2 4"
38 Special SN K666XXX Mod 15-2 4"
22 Long SN K904XXX Mod 18-3 4"

 

[series guy]

Nothing uber collectible but they are all desirable. The Highway Patrolman is a Model 28-2 ( not a model 100) and the only N Frame of the bunch. These are climbing rapidly in value especially the early S prefix serial numbers. The other 4 are K Frame revolvers and all are fan favorites. The Model 18 is definitely a keeper but honestly they all are. All five are in the $750 to $900 or more range in value each depending on location and selling venue. The Model 28-2 is from 1969, the 19-2 is 1962, the 17-3 is from 1968, the 15-2 is from 1966, and the 18-3 is 1969.

 

[Forester]

That is quite a nice foursome


Lost in the woods... Hopefully.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I count 5, Shaun.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! The 3 guns on the left, top and right have non-S&W grips. If you don't have the original grips, that deducts from value. Otherwise, I believe series guy's valuations are spot on.

 

[jonesy814]

Have seen nice 4 inch model 28's going for $1000 with the box and as Series guy said they all are worth at least $750. Very nice selection of revolvers

 

[59dexta]

All of them! That's a great start

 

[series guy]

Guy is correct about the non original stocks being a bit of a ding on the value. On their own however the left set are Fuzzy Farrant stocks which bring a nice dollar on the usual auction site and the other two are Herrett's which are bringing a nice price currently. Of course this means that original S&W stocks bring a very healthy price so replacing your existing wood is going to set you back a bit should you choose to go that route.

 

[buffalo42]

Guy is correct about the non original stocks being a bit of a ding on the value. On their own however the left set are Fuzzy Farrant stocks which bring a nice dollar on the usual auction site and the other two are Herrett's which are bringing a nice price currently. Of course this means that original S&W stocks bring a very healthy price so replacing your existing wood is going to set you back a bit should you choose to go that route.

Well thank you all for the guidance. I feel like I am at the antiques road show! What's with the Magnum Registry i am reading about? Does it extend to this vintage?

 

[Cal44]

Buffalo42, you should take up collecting S&W revolvers.

You have a great start on your collection.

The friend you inherted these from knew what he was doing..

 

[jonesy814]

Well thank you all for the guidance. I feel like I am at the antiques road show! What's with the Magnum Registry i am reading about? Does it extend to this vintage?

No, the registered magnum era began in 1935 and was done by 1939. It did continue with less options and without the registration number as The 357 Magnum, and later became the model 27

 

[BlackBat242]

Short answer (from the other S&W forum):

The first 5000 or so .357s made by S & W starting in 1935 were built to customer specifications, with any barrel length between 3.5 and 8.75" in 0.25" increments, with a choice of sights and stocks. The factory offered the owner the option of sending in a postcard that would register the gun to the owner, and these guns were stamped "REG ####". These guns are called Registered Magnums even without the certificate. The factory paper certificates mailed back are rare and highly sought after.

The factory stopped the registration process but made about 2000 more identical guns (minus the REG stamping) up to the beginning of WW II; these are called the "non-registered" guns. Both categories refer to pre-WW II guns.

A long and detailed history of the development of the S&W .357 Magnum, along with an image of the order form for the .357 Registered Magnum and one of the registration certificate: Smith & Wesson's Registered .357 Magnum Revolver

 

[Wiregrassguy]

This is a Registered Magnum with examples of both sets of available stocks and a sight adjustment tool (screwdriver).

The registration number is stamped in the yoke cut.

 

[Curt360]

Hi and welcome to the forum! Nice set of revolvers indeed. Anyone would like to have those examples as part of their collection. Hope you take them out for regular exercise and enjoy them. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[jeepnut]

All those are very nice Smith handguns even without the original stocks. I would definite go shoot them all several times and decide if any should go after that. They are all desirable and are great shooters. Welcome to the forum.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Welcome to the forum!

That is a fine looking collection of Smiths!

 

[msharley]

Hey Buff,

Welcome to S&W!

Wow! You sure know how to JOIN!

Great Looking REVOLVERS!

Every one is a KEEPER!

Later, Mark

 

[Ratpacker]

Congrats on your “new to you “ revolvers. The aftermarket grips are by quality makers. Nothing to get in a big sweat about.

 

[jonesy814]

Congrats on your “new to you “ revolvers. The aftermarket grips are by quality makers. Nothing to get in a big sweat about. View attachment 505162

True but they do detract some from the originality, and therefor the value of the revolvers. Some care, some don't and some probably prefer the aftermarket

 

[doug toole]

Bookseller conducting a market survey asked a woman –
“Which book has helped you most in your life?”
The woman replied, “My husband’s check book!!”