I am by no means an expert, but DO NOT CLEAN these up. There are too many conmsiderations that collectors look at and you run the risk of greatly reducing the value by changing anything. I did it with an old shotgun many years ago.

You can get opinions at gun shows and shops, but remember, anyone you show them to is probably going to want to purchase them, so the values will be low. There are professional appraisers that will provide values for a fee.

Colt Forum
http://www.coltforum.com/
or
http://www.coltautos.com/

A colt letter will enhance the value of your Colt.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/ArchiveServices.aspx

S&W Letter
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757825_-1_757814_757812_image

 

They are beautiful, don't touch them!

 

Those are two beautiful guns - character and all. I wish I could afford to make you an offer. You're going to make someone's day.

I'm not an expert, but I have a book so I can pretend for 5 minutes. From Gun Digest Standard Catalog of Firearms 2009 edition:

The 2nd model revolver ranges from $500(fair) to $1500(VG)
the Colt 1903 ranges from $350(fair) to $850(VG)

I've would about 25% to that since I am using an old book.

 

Beautiful. I agree with the crowd, leave them alone untill you have them looked at. For info on the S&W try smith-wessonforum.com some of those guys are real experts on those shootin irons. You might also seek out "The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" or SCSW by Supica & Nahas. Great referance book on S&W's Good luck.

 

Guns, no matter what a book says, are only worth what the next man will pay for them. I usually look at Gunbroker, Auction arms, ect. and see what people are actually bidding on, not what a seller is asking. Then you can figure whoever is bidding is going to have to pay shipping and a FFL, which is usually another 40-50 dollars over actual sell price. I've looked up prices on some guns that I would buy a truck load of them if they could be bought for that and I have had some that I would LOVE to find someone to pay what the book said it was worth!

 

I am by no means an expert, but DO NOT CLEAN these up. There are too many conmsiderations that collectors look at and you run the risk of greatly reducing the value by changing anything. I did it with an old shotgun many years ago.

You can get opinions at gun shows and shops, but remember, anyone you show them to is probably going to want to purchase them, so the values will be low. There are professional appraisers that will provide values for a fee.

Colt Forum
http://www.coltforum.com/
or
http://www.coltautos.com/

A colt letter will enhance the value of your Colt.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/ArchiveServices.aspx

S&W Letter
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757825_-1_757814_757812_image

thanks for the links! much appreciated.

Once i know more about them, ill look into prices. i really wish there was a way to see if the revolver was actually used in the civil war.

 

It may be worth your while to do some checking with some firms that sell these type of weapons. I've had good luck with Cherry's in Greensboro, and two valuable guns on consignment through them. A day trip to GSBO might be nice, and see if they'd let you pay them to give you an appraisal. (The disadvantage of a consignment sale is that they keep about 20% of the sale proceeds.)

They have a 1903 for sale that looks a bit nicer than yours for $750. They have a S&W Model 2, also nicer, for about $500. It's hard to tell from photos -- they know how to make a gun look great. I would have posted links to the photos, but they're MUCH TOO LARGE for this site. Just go to their handgun inventory link on the site. http://www.cherrys.com/

Doing your own research may result in you NOT leaving a lot of money in the buyer's pocket or, even worse, having unrealistic expectations about what the guns are worth. In any event, it would worth your while to KNOW MORE about the value of these types of guns.

 

Thanks. I'll see if i can get in contact with them. Or find them at a gun show.