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AR15.COM
12/9/2010 10:09:38 PM EDT
I've always wanted a nice revolver like this one and now there's one for sale local.  

Here's the link.  What should I offer him for it?  $500 is pretty steep right? (even with the box and papers... and it's been fired).

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31485


thanks guys...
12/9/2010 10:51:35 PM EDT
[#1]


That revolver looks VERY NICE, doesnt look to have been fired at all.  Mine had a cylinder ring when I bought it and it was NIB.  Doesn't take much coon fingering at the gun store or at home to get that cylinder ring.



I have a 3-inch model 13 and it is a great gun.  Paid $275 NIB about 15 years ago.





Smith's are expensive these days, especially older ones with no locks on them.  I'd say that if you get it for less than $500, you got a fair deal.  If you pay more than that, then you really wanted it.


12/10/2010 5:49:44 AM EDT
[#2]
Way more than I would want to pay.  A 13 is hardly a collector's item.  Even it that condition I'd be hard pressed to go over $400.
12/10/2010 6:59:57 AM EDT
[#3]
both ends of the spectrum here huh.  So around $400 would be a decent deal or is that still too much?
12/10/2010 7:05:03 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
both ends of the spectrum here huh.  So around $400 would be a decent deal or is that still too much?


I would consider it at $400.  The Smith market has been volatile in recent years.  Some sellers thing the pre-lock wheel guns are way more valuable than I do.  The M13 was quite common in its day, a perfectly servicable but unremarkable handgun.  I collect Model 10's, the same thing only in 38 Special.  $350 is about my top end when shopping.  It's getting harder to find them at that price, but they're out there.
12/10/2010 7:40:11 AM EDT
[#5]
M-13-3, square butt, original stocks, 4" heavy barrel.     IF you could snag it for $400, even $425 thats about tops in my estimation. A nice package with EVERYTHING...matching box, papers, tool, etc. That alone adds $50 to the value of the gun.

One has to remember a few things regarding these older revolvers..The less remarkable, the fewer they sold, so the higher the market value right now.

Recall the M-520's? No one and I mean virtually no one wanted them when they were released to the open market. Every stocking Dealer was stuck with a few on their shelves. NOW...they bring $600 on up.

Recall the 9mm M-547's?  A 3" model would sit and sit on a shelf. "Who wantts a freakin 3 inch nine millimeter revolver"??   Right now list one and it's sold in an hour.

yesterdays lousy seller is todays hot item.

And...look at what $500 buys you TODAY in a K frame. You get MIM'd parts, a lock that many do not want, lousy bluing compared to 30 yrs back, etc.
$500 for that older gun doesn't look so bad now...does it??

FN in MT




12/10/2010 10:15:08 AM EDT
[#6]
good insight... thanks...
12/10/2010 12:14:36 PM EDT
[#7]
Production of the 520 and 547 probably didn't top 10,000 combined.  There are vastly more M13's in circulation.  

Predicting future collector value is  notoriously difficult but I have a hard time seeing M13's ever reaching that status.