What would you say?

A

Ala Dan

Member in memoriam
Greeting's Guys and Gal's,

I recently was approached by two co-worker's, one
with a Smith & Wesson revolver to sell; and the other
was a perspective buyer. I was asked for an appraisal
of the weapon in question by both individuals. The
weapon we are speaking about is a "Victory Model"
Smith & Wesson Military & Police model 10, with a
4" barrel. It does have the "U.S. Government Property"
markings, lanyard loop, and original grips. The lettering
is visible but faint. The parkerized finish is about 60%
complete with signs of holster wear, but NO pitting.
Lock-up is excellent, all 5 screw heads are in tact with
no deformities. Lands and grooves are in very nice
condition; with perfect cylinder alignment. Double
action is crisp, clean, and very smooth. All parts
appear to be original. I would certainly rate this
firearm as N.R.A. excellent. What does this panel
consider a "fair market" price for the above stated
handgun? All reply's are certainly appreciated and
very much welcomed!:D

* In the book, The Standard Catalog Of Smith &
Wesson, 2nd edition by Supica and Nahas I thought
that the stated $225.00 mark was kind'a low; so I
bumped it up by $50.00, did I do wrong for such a
mechanically excellent weapon from the past?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
After having returned from a trip to the east coast and going to numerous gun shops I'd say that 275.00 was a fair price. With the exception of a nice shop in Greenfield MA, I found prices in ME,NH and VT to be higher than what we see here in ND and I had thought we were on the pricey end of the market.
 
A local shop had two. One was pristine and he was asking $400. The other was fair and he was asking $200. $275 sounds about right.
 
This brings up another question I have been wondering about for some time too, and that is:

When does "U.S. Government Property" stop being "Government Property" as it pertains to items like these?

I have seen guns, both online and in person, that have markings such as you describe. I doubt anyone has any paperwork or anything PROVING they obtained it "legally" from the Government ... although I am NOT saying that they are stolen or were illegally obtained or anything along those lines. Probably surplus or the like.

Basically, just wondering ...

** What's to keep my butt out of jail should some LEO or Fed wish to enforce the label? **

Just curious.
 
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Ala Dan, I'd have a hard time rating 60% finish as excellent. With 60% finish and no pitting is sounds more like Very Good to me. I'd say $150.00.
 
Tropical Z, thanks for the link. However, those pictured
in the ad are chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge;
not the .38 Special; and the ones in the ad are 5"
barrels, not the 4" inch model that was written about
in my review. I believe those two factors would bump
the price up; cuz the .38 S&W round has just about
faded from the scene; and the 4" barrel in this gun
would definitely be a little more desireable.

Thanks for your thoughts, and post!

Respectfully,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
As Jamis said, 60% original finish is not excellent by any standard.

What I think you mean is "mechanically excellent" but with a good deal of honest wear.

I would give or sell $150-175 for such a S&W.

That said, a price is whatever a willing buyer and a willing seller both agree on.
 
Greeting's Again,

And many thanks for each and every post. However,
per The Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson, 2nd
edition; list on the S&W "Victory Model" in VG condition
is $225.00, in the .38 Special chambering. An un-
known quanity was produced for the British in the
.38 S&W (or .38 Short); and I would tend to believe
that these guns would be in the bargain basement
at around $150.00 or so; but not a "mechanically
excellent" model chambered for the .38 Special?

*The book states NIB condition would demand a
$400.00 price tag; but we all know there is no
such thing for this model. I even doubt you could
find one in LNIB condition? FWIW, the buyer and
seller thought $275.00 was an excellent price, so
they completed the deal.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Ala Dan;

Using the NRA system, I would probably rate it a "Fine" (sight unseen). You have a little more latitude with pre-war guns, IMO. I do agree with your valuation though.
 
Thanks Frenchy, you probably are right; that is what
I should have said.:eek: But, all in all its was a real
nice piece.:) Funny thing, a few years ago I picked
one up in almost as good condition from a college
student that needed a little extra cash for one C-
note ($100.00). I hated to "rob" the guy, but that
is what he said he needed; heck, I probably should
have tipped him $10.00!:cool: :D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I don't know if I would want to offer an opinion to both the buyer and the seller, esp if both were coworkers. This could result in some bad feelings down the road.
 
Hi, CZ Gunner,

The "government property" or "U.S." mark loses all meaning when the government sells the item on the surplus market, or effectively abandons it by making no effort to reclaim it. Since millions of weapons and millions of tons of other material has been sold or otherwise disposed of by the U.S. since its founding, a court would have to have absolute proof that a given item was stolen property, effectively an impossible task when dealing with something 50 years old.

In other words, unless some guy got caught walking out of an armory with it, there would be no sweat on owning a WWII vintage gun.

Jim
 
Jim,

Thanks for the info. Like I said before, I wasn't trying to make any waves or anything ... it was only something that I had wondered about.

I figured as much, but am a little paranoid I suppose. Hate to have to hire a lawyer and go through the hoops of a trial if some young hotshot wants to try to make trouble. To much of that going on these days, I'm afraid.

Good shooting,

Gunner
 
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