Buying advice?

[scalawag pimp]

i have been collecting colt snake revolvers for 30+ years. I have recently started with S&W and didn’t realize it was full of people willing to sacrifice character to make a buck too.

There is plenty of advice about timing, lockup, and forcing cone, cylinder and hand wear. But 1 thing I learned long ago was to remove the grips and look underneath. Under those grips you can see what the seller might be hiding. Stuff like serial numbers engraved in and rust and pitting on internals.

Tonight I went to get a smith and when I asked to remove grips I could tell the seller was nervous. I assured him I had gun smith tools and I wouldn’t damage the screw head. After a few uncomfortable seconds he said, “sure go ahead but I have never looked under them”. Well of course waiting underneath was a name and serial number on both sides. This guy is a regular at gunshows and I found it difficult he had never removed grips.... but who knows.

While I wish this was a rare accurance, it’s actually the 4th I have come across in just the last couple months.

Anyway, I guess I just wanted to offer the advice to remove and look under those grips when buying revolvers. It’s an easy way to discover hidden issues someone is trying to get over on you to make a buck.

 

[surjimmy]

Good advice, thanks

 

[dennishoddy]

My two old smith revo's have names and a date under them as well. As I understand it, the person assembling the pistol at the factory did this on every one they personally assembled.

 

[scalawag pimp]

You are saying a factory tech "scratched" his name and date on a revolver he assembled? I have never heard of such a thing.

 

[Fyrtwuck]

I can see both sides of the situation.

As an owner, I’d be leery of someone taking my gun apart. Especially if they damaged it or couldn’t put it back together. I have some guns that I won’t take completely apart for the same reason.

On the side of the buyer or collector I can understand wanting to see every part. I have a Luger that I’m going to try and disassemble one day to see if ALL of the numbers match.

 

[scalawag pimp]

Just remove the grips. Even with side plate still on you can get a good idea of what to expect when/if you remove it in future.

Another example was a seller of a python about 2 months ago. The add said "sit in climate controlled safe for 30 years." The gun was perfect but when I removed the grips it has a ton of rust on the main and V spring. The guy was shocked and very cool about it and I offered to go home and look/clean it more. Sure enough when I removed the side plate there was substantial rusting on hand and other internals.

With the colts and now smiths demanding a premium price, I just thought I would offer this suggestion. I think many people have goggled how to "clean" guns to try and pull top dollar. I just suggest checking under the hood too.

 

[slas]

Good info, but got me curious. How much will an engraved name and/or date on a gun devalue it? How about with a bit of rust?

 

[surjimmy]

In my experience, a gun with a name or SSN engraved on it devalues it about 1/3-1/2. Most buyers won't buy it, unless maybe for a truck gun. It depends if it's just surface rust or if it's in the metal.

 

[dlbleak]

Many are in pencil and it was a common practice for a while.

 

[DavidMcmillan]

I came across a couple a few years ago, and an old fellow that I always believed, told me the same thing. I believe it.