Local handgun appraiser??

[boondoggle]

The widow of a great friend of mine who passed about a year ago is wanting to sell a few guns of his and has asked for my help.

One in particular I have no good working knowledge of and my initial research has it valued somewhere between $1K and $6K. It's a S&W .44 special CTG triple lock with a 4" barrel. It's in good shape and appears all original with SNs in all the right places and is a pre-war model.

I wanted to see if anyone knows of a localish (Pensacola to FWB) shop that does appraisals before I look into getting one online.

Any help is most appreciated

 

[IronBeard]

Not aware of anywhere like that locally. I'd google S&W forums, maybe sign up, and see what they collectively have to say. Good luck.

ETA: I've learned things there I didn't know I could. I guess that probably applies across life, but...

 

[pistolpedro]

Duke at Gulf Breeze Firearms

 

[Beached]

Best way I have found is to type in search on gunbroker and guns America and see what the average market price is for a particular firearm. Just google it with for sale afterward can be of help as well.

 

[boatbum101]

David Carroll is a nationally known S&W collector / dealer in Alabama . Phone # 205-531-7002 , email : info@dcarroll.net . TL's in good shape are worth some serious coin . I used to collect & have bought & sold , traded numerous times with Dave . Great guy , extremely knowledgable & has a bunch of clients who are willing to pay for quality examples . Worth a phone call & email some good quality pics . He consistantly gets Gunbroker prices for quality goods . His auctions are under Woodlawn Boys on Gunbroker . Even after commission he'll get you a good price & national exposure = many more buyers .

 

[IronBeard]

Best way I have found is to type in search on gunbroker and guns America and see what the average market price is for a particular firearm. Just google it with for sale afterward can be of help as well.

Agreed. What matters more than "worth" is what people are willing to pay.

 

[boatbum101]

A quality made firearm in working order , high percentage of original finish , hasn't been modified will set its own market value . With scarce high condition items auctions will bring best prices , especially when 2 or more bidders absolutely have to have the item .

 

[Welldoya]

Lots of good suggestions here. I would look at Gunbroker completed auctions before I did anything. That is real money that has changed hands, not just somebody’s opinion.
There are some very knowledgeable collectors on Smith-Wessonforum.com that will be glad to give you there opinion.
The last thing you want to do is take it to a local run-of-the-mill gunshop.
You will get your best price from a national auction.