A question for those that may know .

[cruzerlou]

Earlier this year I lucked into a 1986 per Lew Horton dist. 3" round butt finger grove grip 657 .The gun didn't even have a cylinder ring so it hasn't been fire much at all .After researching the gun with S&W I've found that it was from the first run of S&W custom shop 3"
N-Frames .The 657 3" is the rarest of all the custom shop 3" N-Frame guns made so here's my question.The gun just like it is is at least 1200 bucks ,or more depending on who you talk to.but 6MM6MM has a few guns that his engraver did for him that are just beautful,I really like the Fltiz colt copy he had done .It's has 3/4 covrage Americian style engraving on it .Doing this to this 657 would really make it pop and really be a BBQ gun to be proud of.
If I had this done to my gun would it hurt the value of the gun? I don't want to do anything to detract from the collectabilty of the gun .If I had this done I'd still have less money tied up in the gun than it's worth now .It will cost me 500 bucks to have this done .I stold the gun for $510 O.T.D. .I'm asking y'all opionion about this as I value the knowalge y'all have about such matters .I'm really on the fence here .
The gun looks great now ,but I.M.H.O . would look even better all gussied up like that .Please give me your thoughts on this ,regauardless as to weather you like engraved guns of not thats not the question ,it's something I like espeacaly on a gun like this I just don't want to ruin the value of the gun by doing this .
Any and all opionions are welcomed on this matter .
Thanks, Your Friend,
lou

 

[timnc]

Lou, IMO if you plan to keep the gun go ahead & get it done the way you want it. Let your children or grandchildren worry about it's value as a collectible. To me, this is similar to buying that new car you always wanted. As soon as you drive off the lot the value drops 20%; but, if you keep it long enough and take care of it, that doesn't matter. In the meantime, you will enjoy it for all that time. P.S. Re your other post on .410 for deer. Check Midway they list Brennke slugs plus Federal & Winchester 1/4 oz. for less money.

 

[cellar701]

Lou, if you are interested in a collector gun - keep it the way it is. The market for the collector desirable Smiths is pretty broad and price keeps going up. If you modify it the collectors may still be interested in it, but the number who may be interested will shrink dramatically, so even though the "value" may not be diminished, finding someone to give you the "value" price will possibly be more difficult.

If it were mine (and I would like very much to have one just like it!) and I liked the engraving (which I do) - I would go ahead and get it done. So, bottom line in my view is if you think you'll need to sell it and get quick turnaround for collector dollars - don't do it. If you are going to shoot it, keep it and don't anticipate selling it then enhance it to your tastes and enjoy it to the maximum. JMHO

 

[cruzerlou]

thanks guys ,no I ain't never going to sell this hoglegI was just wondering what y'all thought as I'm more of a shooter than a collector .Although I do have qiute a few gun now I'm not much on safe queens .even if I do get the gun engraved ,I think I will , i'll still carry and shoot it .If y'all are familiar with 6M6MM's guns you know what a nice job his engraver does and this is just the right gun for me to spend that kind of money on just for looks sake .
Thanks again for y'all's input .
Your Friend,
lou

 

[timnc]

Lou, could you provide the name & contact info for the engraver. I too have thought about what you are thinking for my Security Six but the prices I've seen so far are far more than I'm willing to pay. $500 for 3/4 American style coverage interests me. Thanks, Tim