S&W Model 17-3 - real world value?

It is a fine revolver. It is not a important collectable unless in pristine condition and just an average collectable at that point. But it is a great 22 revolver. So shoot it and enjoy it. Take care of it, and you will likely find you can sell it for as much or more than you have in it today if you choose to sell it down the road. Anything under $500 is very good on a excellent condition M17. You just don't see them for that price much anymore. $600-$700 are pretty typical prices these days. I was looking at a used M18 in the last week or so and they were asking $700 as I recall and it was probably 90%, perhaps a bit better.

Driftwood: The only time I have seen two identical "used" guns for sale by the same dealer was at gunshows back a while (like in the 1990's). The guns I typically was looking for at that time were Colt Diamondbacks and I have seen as many as 10 or 12 for sale on the same table. Equal condition, I'd would buy the ones with the original box every time and I would pay slightly more for the ones with the boxes. But if I were looking for a gun, especially a collectable, I would not hesitate to buy it without the box. I am not like many collectors who would not consider buying without the box. I like to have the box, but it is not an absolute requirement unless it is a museum piece.
 
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I got a K-22 since a few decades and have put it to serious use. It has honest wear and will be passed down to the kids eventually.

It is one of my cheapest rimfire handguns and I use each and everyone of them for their intended purpose; shooting them.

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Well It's too nice not to shoot, and it's the gun I wanted, so I'll carry it and use it without worrying too much about everything - taking good care of it, but not losing sleep if it gets a few dings and holster wear.

For the record, I paid $360 for it. I think I did ok.

Thanks for all of the replies and considerations - and great photos.
 
I paid $700 for a 17-3 in similar condition. Mine was used by nearly flawless. After 1000+ rounds, it's still nearly flawless.

This was the first handgun my grandson ever fired, and he hit the bullseye on his first shot. You don't make memories like that by keeping it in the safe.
 
I found it interesting that, in the latest issue of the American Rifleman, a Smith & Wesson Model 49 Bodyguard was being evaluated and that the author of the article estimated the revolver in excellent condition to be worth $535.00, but he added "...subtract $125.00 to $150.00 without box and accessories..."
 
I think you will see more and more additional valuation with the original box (and hopefully the papers). Years ago, I often put my "papers" into another storage area rather than keeping them in the original box and basically you loose them or don't realize what goes to what after the years pass.
 
You got a great deal and if you trade it or sell it you'll always regret it.

Care for it well and shoot it and cherish it.

It's one of the great ones.
 
Either way, you're not going to put your kids through college with it.

We throw around things like "collector value" like it's some large sum of money. It's not really in the grand scheme of things. A few hundred here, and there maybe...over many years.

Shoot it and enjoy it. Keep it the rest of your life. Let your kids and grandkids gripe about how you "ruined the collector value" of it.
 
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Let your kids and grandkids gripe about how you "ruined the collector value" of it.
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Funny you say that.

I hear that kind of sentiment mostly around gun forums, whenever someone complains about scratches, handling marks -- or god forbid :eek: (gasp) alterations that some "previous owner" did to the firearm THEY owned. Crazy coincidence is that they all seemed to believe the gentleman's name was "Bubba."
 
Either way, you're not going to put your kids through college with it.

We throw around things like "collector value" like it's some large sum of money. It's not really in the grand scheme of things. A few hundred here, and there maybe...over many years.
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In the real world, this is what it comes down to. It is a great 22 revolver, but nobody is going to get rich on one...box, no box, papers, no papers.... not a huge deal one way or the other.
 
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