Yesterday I purchased a Smith and Wesson mod. 24-3 new in the old original blue box wrapped in oil paper with all the papers and unfired, 4" 44 special...My question is what is it worth as a collector, Im dieing to shoot it, but hesitate to do so?? It sure is "purty"....serial number is ABZ3497

Not getting any help on this one..

Well I suspect an aged, discontinued N frame S&W revolver new in the box unfired in 44 special, is worth a minumum of $2000 to $2500 and probably more..I will go with that for now..???????

Ray, that revolver is nothing but bad, bad luck. You better send it on to me to properly dispose of it! LOL Seriously, I have wanted one exactly like you have but would never pony up the money. They have steadily increased in price over the years, and I don't buy guns anymore due to steadily increasing age and and decreasing income (retired). I would have to shoot it if it were mine, simply because that is what firearms are made for. If you want to collect something to just look at, buy paintings.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Well I suspect an aged, discontinued N frame S&W revolver new in the box unfired in 44 special, is worth a minumum of $2000 to $2500 and probably more..I will go with that for now..???????

Shooting it will have a big impact on collector value if it is unfired but I think you know that.

You said you just brought it.

Therefore, it’s worth what you paid for it, unless you cheated someone.

If I brought it, I’d shoot it unless I had brought it as a investment collection item (and I’ve never brought an unfired collectable…)

Play with it.

Ray, a few years ago I bought a pre 24 (2nd model HE) in 44 spl. from a member here. He had 2, 1 in nickel, + 1 in blue. I bought the blue + wished I had the money to buy them both.

It turns out this is a special run with special serial numbers, a 1950 target 4" about 7500 give or take were produced in 1980-83, about 2000 were in 4" and I have a copy of its history from SW furnished by a friend on AR..An interesting rare gun for sure, and I won't be shooting it..I will put it on the market and try and make a buck or two off it..

I swaped it off to a gent for an as new colt 22 LR, woodsman match target #3 in mint condition 4.5" barrel, like new in the box..value wise about even.

I may not know about gun values, but going from .44 to a .22 might not be the deal I'd look for.

But I'm the guy who sold my left hand Randall .45 for $3k and regret it, so what do I know.

I don't know why, if the value is about the same, caliber is what one may need, and I will be popping the heads off grouse in elk camp, and the 44 was too collectable to shoot as it was unfired, and taking up room in my gun cabinet thus my choice.Its the finest 22 auto pistol ever made in my estamation..It was a good trade for me based on value and my investment.

You're right Ray, that Colt Woodsman is one of the best little 22s out there. I still have my Cabelas points saved + am looking for one but I don't think they do their 'fine gun room' on line anymore, at least I couldn't find it.

Yea, I think that the Gun Library is gone, just like the Bargain Cave. Go to Guns International. Cabela's sells a lot of trades on there. Other sellers, such as Guns.com use GI as a clearing house.

Guns international usually has some good quality pieces. I wonder if the Cabelas points could be used there on a Cabela's trade-in. Any idea?

Ray, just google up Cabela's Gun Library they still have quite a few open but not the bargain caves that went to Bass Pro in Springfield, Mo

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Yesterday I purchased a Smith and Wesson mod. 24-3 new in the old original blue box wrapped in oil paper with all the papers and unfired, 4" 44 special...My question is what is it worth as a collector, Im dieing to shoot it, but hesitate to do so?? It sure is "purty"....serial number is ABZ3497

Not getting any help on this one..

I would think being a -3 and not pinned and recessed you could shoot it and only lose a couple hundred dollars. Just don't beat it up or carry it in a holster that wears the blueing.