School Me On Collectable Hand Guns

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SOB....https://www.amazon.com/G-Custer-His-Life-Times/dp/0975375008

Glennwood wrote and published a book back in 04 entitled "the Life And Times Of GA CUster." Which told the story of the 7TH Cav and Battle at the LBH mostly in pictures....with text connecting the story...excellent book. I bought two copies at $50 or $75 each kind of knowing that when out of print they would become pricey.

I was going to recommend that if interested you could get a hold of it...I had no idea they had gone up that much...

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https://www.amazon.com/L-C-Smith-Legend-John-Houchins/dp/B0045DYGYE

Here is another one where I met the author a few months before he passed.

https://www.amazon.com/Colt-45-Service-Pistols-Models/dp/0963397192

Here is one that I bought in a 3 book lot on Colts at auction where I sold the other two that I already had, the first selling for more than I paid for the three..keeping this one. Check out the prices on the used ones...LOL

[Jeff Higgins]

Looks like some great reading, Tabby. Thanks for the links. The only account of the battle at Little Bighorn I have ever read was First Sargent Ryan's account. His was interesting in that he actually survived the battle (been awhile, but he may have been in either Reno's or Benteen's detachment, most of whom survived) and used his own personal rifle - a '74 Sharps. He lived to quite the old age as well, going on to be a chief of police back east or something.

Too bad Glennwood's book is so darn expensive. Looks like a great read.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Looks like some great reading, Tabby. Thanks for the links. The only account of the battle at Little Bighorn I have ever read was First Sargent Ryan's account. His was interesting in that he actually survived the battle (been awhile, but he may have been in either Reno's or Benteen's detachment, most of whom survived) and used his own personal rifle - a '74 Sharps. He lived to quite the old age as well, going on to be a chief of police back east or something.

Too bad Glennwood's book is so darn expensive. Looks like a great read.

Sgt Ryan borrowed Captain Frenchs Big Springfield 2ND Allin Conversion in 50/70. French had to ask to get it back from Ryan after the battle. French was cashiered from the Army I think in 1877 for alcoholism, and the deposition of his Big Springfield is unknown. It was thought and could possibly still be that the Otto Voit rifle was that Springfield...but there is no Forensic evidence to back that up.

Also in the literature an Indian was killed down in the valley below that had a 50/70 Springfield during the Defensive fight. I have often wondered where and how Voit got the Springfield? During the 70's the 50/70 Sprinfields were used by Buffalo hunters etc for big game because they were sold inexpensively as surplus and surplus ammunition was plentiful and cheap. Voit might have bought one to hunt with on his off duty time, it maybe Frenchs, it maybe the Indian in the Valley, or he may have picked it up at the massacre site? But there is some reason why he kept that rifle? I will never know.

I have read a great deal of the literature on the Battle for obvious reasons..I wanted to find references to Otto Voit. I have talked to the US Park service and Glennwood about this stuff as well as a decedent of Voit's.

What blows my dress up is the price for the Clawson 1911 Book. It is really the definitive book on US government service 1911's..going into great detail. That info is really not available anywhere else and is really important to have if you want to collect military 1911's.

Another set of books that is expensive are the 5 volumes on the Lugers by Jan Still. Again it is the depth of the information that you are paying for.

[Jeff Higgins]

Interesting stuff, Tabby. The account I read (obtained from John Schofstall, proprietor of C. Sharps Arms), said Ryan used a Sharps. I don't doubt your assertion that he did in fact use the first Trapdoor, the .50-70, but I am now wondering why the account supplied by Schofstall - supposedly written by Ryan - has him with the Sharps. Maybe a bit of self serving commercial interest or something.

[tabs]

John Schofstall, does not have a lot of credibility. The state of Montana stopped him from taking orders for rifles in the early 90's because he had such a back log of orders. It took him forever to fix something on one of his rifles for me, and then the rifle came back with the wrong barrel on it. So it had to go back again. Ehhh.

I was buying Shiloh's when they were being made by Drolinger in Farmingdale. My first one was a piece of artillery a 50/140..needless to say I only pulled the trigger a few times on that beast. Even the 50/90 is not pleasant. My last one was an Axtel.

There is a lot of confusion in the accounts. Even by the participants themselves. For instance when you say I drank a coke you might actually have been drinking a Pepsi and not a Coke Cola. I think that I read that he said he was shooting a Sharps to, but in other lit it was a Big Springfield and that is what the Park Service people say to as that was what they were thinking my rifle could have been.

[Jeff Higgins]

I was trying to be nice about Schofstall, but it sounds like you have had dealings with him as well. His company does build one hell of a rifle, I'll give them that, but... We had a bit of a little "dust up" at one of the Quigley shoots in Forsythe one year back in the mid '90's, after he had had a good deal of my money for almost six years and had not yet produced a rifle for it. That, after producing the first rifle for me some years prior in less than three months.

Wolfgange Droege was the founder of Shilo Sharps. His partnership with Schofstall didn't last long. I find it endlessly entertaining to go through Big Timber and see the two competing companies right across the street from one another. Shilo Sharps has not made many friends either, with four to six year "backlogs" in the '90's and '00's, all the while delivering most of their production to Bill Goodman so he could jack the prices through the ceiling. Pick the lesser of two evils... That said, the Badger barreled C. Sharps guns always outshot the Shilos. Now that Ernie Stallman is only making machine gun barrels for the gubmint, and no more sporting rifle barrels, I have no idea who Schofstall uses. I know he used Douglas for awhile; maybe he went back.

[aigel]

1350 seems a little rich for this 29-2? What's a good price?

Smith & Wesson Model 29-2, Smith & Wesson 629 Light Hunter, Beretta Neos, Nor Cal, NS - Calguns.net

What do you think? It looks broken in enough for me to take it into the woods ...

G

[aigel]

And whoa - what happened to HK P7 prices? Looks like they doubled in a few years?

G

[tabs]

Originally Posted by aigel

1350 seems a little rich for this 29-2? What's a good price?

Smith & Wesson Model 29-2, Smith & Wesson 629 Light Hunter, Beretta Neos, Nor Cal, NS - Calguns.net

What do you think? It looks broken in enough for me to take it into the woods ...

G

Depends on the Serial # on the dash 2.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by tabs

Depends on the Serial # on the dash 2.

Can you elaborate? It looks to me that the guns were all the same in terms of their build configuration for the entire 29-2 timeline. Are the earlier ones more desirable?

I'll try to find out the serial# - at least the first digits - and share.

G

[aigel]

I blew up the images and am pretty sure we have an N serial number. So, the S is more desirable apparently? I take it 1300 bucks is too rich for this condition and an N number?

Edit: Looks to be a very late model. Serial number puts it in the late 70s or even early 80s.

So, what does that do for value? I guess it makes it more of a middle of the road gun. I would imagine it should cost at least the same as a new 29 model with the lock ...

G

[aigel]

Guys, help me out. What would be a GOOD deal on this gun. Reasonably clean, no box, late 29-2 8 3/8". I'd say 80%. Looking at gun broker, it should still be under $1k? New they still have a 6" gun and it is just under 1200 MSRP.

Thanks!

George

[Taz's Master]

RugerForum.com • View topic - WTS: S&W Model 29-2 44 Mag, Nickel, 4" Bbl, P&R, 3 T's

He's also selling a nice nickle 586 with box and such.

No affiliation, just a frame of reference.

[aigel]

Taz's Master,

Thats a nice piece. Wish it was local. I do like Ni an stainless ... Yes, that right there shows you the 1350 is too rich for the local 29-2. I'd feel good for that gun at $850, but I am sure that's not going to fly ...

G

[tabs]

Originally Posted by aigel

Taz's Master,

Thats a nice piece. Wish it was local. I do like Ni an stainless ... Yes, that right there shows you the 1350 is too rich for the local 29-2. I'd feel good for that gun at $850, but I am sure that's not going to fly ...

G

Right around 1K is about right for that dash 2. Dash 2's are collectible as they gave been out of production since 82. Also the fact that SW pinned and recessed is more desirable than the cost cutting modifications of the dash 3's and 629-1's. That dash 2 is better than 85%.

Yes "S" prefix spoons were made before 1970, and after were "N" prefix. Depending on the SN an "S" prefix can be a 5, s 4 or 3 screw..all engineering changes. A 5 screw 29 can run 3K or even better.

The ones to look for are the dash 2 "S" prefix and the 629 pinned and recessed...That is where you can find sleepers.

Also while there is some correlation between the price of a new SW and a used one, it is mistaken to price a dash 2 at being lower than a new lock model, the dash 2's are starting to dry up and the prices are going up on them.

If you wanted to speculate a bit buy up the "N" prefix dash 2's in models 27, 29, 25-5 which is the 45 LC cartridge and maybe the 57 (41 mag). Especially in odd barrel lengths and finishes. Stick with NIB guns in 5 to 10 years they will appreciate nicely for you. The model 17's and 48's in 8 3/8 also.

[aigel]

Thanks Tabs. I found one recently sold for 1250 in similar condition but with a box (wasn't stated the box and material were original).

It hasn't sold yet, so 1350 is too high for sure. I'll see if seller softens up to under 1k. I have some other leads through personal network and may have to conserve funds in case something good is in that lot.

G

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aigel

1350 seems a little rich for this 29-2? What's a good price?

Smith & Wesson Model 29-2, Smith & Wesson 629 Light Hunter, Beretta Neos, Nor Cal, NS - Calguns.net

What do you think? It looks broken in enough for me to take it into the woods ...

G

I bet that Performance Center 629 is a SWEET shooter.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I bet that Performance Center 629 is a SWEET shooter.

It is FUGLY though, isn't it?

Still on the fence on the 29 ...

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https://www.proxibid.com/aspr/S-W-Pre-Model-29-4-Screw-DA-Revolver/34061923/LotDetail.asp?lid=34061923&rfpb=0#Top

Here is the current line on a 4 screw pre mdl sw 29. Add in 15% Buyers premium and if the buyer was not FFL add 8.125% sales tax and CA registration fees.

Now do ya see where all that FED created liquidity is goin?