S&W Model 66 (219 of 262)

C

ctompkins

Inactive
I have a S&W Model 66 Southern Pacific Railroad Police with wood display case. It is used, in what I would call 95% condition. The grips show some use, but the gun is very clean. An aquaintance, who started much lower, is now offering $450 for it, and says that is his absolute top. I cannot find this gun in my Blue Book. Is this a fair price?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Clay Tompkins
Note: It is actually marked Mod. 66-2 under the cylinder and is stainless.
 
$450 would be more than fair for an average Model 66. I do not, however, know if or how being a Southern Pacific Railroad Police would affect its value.
 
Those were limited customs from S&W. IIRC, they were only made to order. I would put the generic value closer to $600.00 as a collectible with box, papers and tools still NIW. The SP RR PD is now absorbed into the UP RR PD. The M66s that were produced are department/agency marked, the agency no longer exists, they were sequentially numbered, they will never be made again and they were display boxed, that makes them worth more. I believe they also came with full colour patches. Cotton Belt RR PD officers also were able to buy them.
 
It is generally accepted that the value of a commemorative gun is destroyed once it is fired. At that time, the value becomes the same as a shooter of the same type. An excellent condition Model 66 would sell retail for $300 + or - $50 in most free places.
 
X-Breath is correct. Police marked weapons don't really draw any premium, particularly used ones. The only people who pay premium for one would be someone who worked for whichever marked PD and wanted it strickly for sentimental value. They are only shooters.
 
I think less than 300 of anything is valuable. You people sound like you think a USMC round butt S&W Hand Ejector is worth little because it is military surplus.
 
It's still a 66. They made more than 300 Model 66s. Police marked firearms do not bring that much premium, if any. Sorry. You can pay it if you want. It's your money. Just don't expect to make a killing off it.
 
This is a limited production, commemorative that was not made for the general public. It is NOT a simple vibrating pen department marked M66. It is a collectible revolver, it has been fired. My analogy would be a run on weekends Miata versus a 0 miles, up on blocks and perfect Chevette.
 
This is a limited production, commemorative that was not made for the general public.
Click to expand...
You are exactly right. They won't made for the general public, but also the general public don't seek them out. It makes no difference if only 300 were made they don't hold any extra value to the general gun buying public. They also don't hold any premium to the average collector. Only those dealing in that field place any value to them.
The premium price tag will only be considered if the handgun is NIB. Once it's shot or shows signs of use then it becomes nothing more than a shooter. Commeratives only sell to a small market and to be worth anything extra they have to be NIB.
 
"This is a limited production, commemorative that was not made for the general public."

S&W has made a ton of what you consider "limited production" guns by marking LEO guns with agency identifiers. As an example, the first 39s to my agency were marked with my agency identifiers. One could argue that there's some "collectibility" in those 39s since they were the very first 39s marked with any LEA identifiers. Sorry, but they aren't "commemorative". NYSP had a bunch of their old N frames stamped with their seal. No major run for any of those. Would have no idea how many Hong Kong marked S&W were on the market a few years ago. Mild curiosity. There's no collector's guide out there that even cares about the RR marked 66s. Those are agency marked 66s that only someone with a RR interest my pay premium for a fired one.
Pay premium if you want because you want that specific gun, just don't expect to recoup your costs.
 
I mostly agree. The CHP had S&W produce M68s for their agency issue. They were essentially M66s chambered for 38 Special ONLY. These CHP revolvers are highly sought after. RR collectors DO pay premiums for RR marked railroadiania. RR police equipment is a genuine area of interest. I might be giving it a higher value due to being aware of that RR market.
 
Other than the wooden display case mentioned, and a SP RR stamp, I wonder what differentiates this Model 66 from all the others. Does anybody know?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top