Help me value this US revolver

leadcounsel · May 2, 2006, 07:43 AM

Here is a US .32 caliber revolver that I have found for sale for about $300. It needs some repair as the lockup needs some work and it has a small chip in the handle.

I would be buying this gun only for any potential value beyond it's functional purpose with the idea of making a profit. Does anyone know if this gun holds any significant historic value?

Gunbroker currently has one with the starting bid at $150 and it's in 90% condition and one is poor condition (like this one) for with starting bid at $45. My suspicion is that it's not worth anything near $300. Am I correct?

Gun pictures at links. Thanks.

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...t=P1010001.jpg

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...t=P1010002.jpg

Edited: Upon doing more research, it seems this is a common C&R gun and not worth $50 in its condition. Thanks for looking.

doncameron · May 2, 2006, 07:55 AM

It is a copy of the S & W .32 s&w cartridge (.32 short) safety hammerless revolver, without the grip safety.
I would'nt pay more than $100. for it.. MHO!

I have an original S & W, My Grandmother bought it when she was 19 and is now 92.
My grandfather carried it in WWII in the Pacific.
still has the original grips and everything

walter in florida · May 2, 2006, 09:11 AM

I saw one at the gun shop for 109.00 a month ago. I bought a 38S&W U.S. Revolver last year for 44.00 and it worked. I guess the going price is 50.00 to 100.00.

deadin · May 2, 2006, 09:48 AM

Walter is right, $50-100. And it would have to be nice to reach the $100. The one you posted isn't. In fact, with mechanical problems and a chipped grip, I would think that $35 or $40 would be more like it.

Dean

**Mike Irwin** · May 2, 2006, 07:41 PM

$300?

Yeah, in ever crack smoking junkie's dream.

The U.S. Revolver Company was the name of Iver Johnson's "house" line, a cheaper version of their revolvers made for sale through Sears, Monkey Ward, and other mail order and hardware retailers.

This gun is worth, at best, no more than $100 on a day when all of the planets are aligned just so...

**44 AMP** · May 2, 2006, 08:19 PM

If it was the only gun you could get and needed it desperately, and you are stuffed with cash, well......maybe, but I would try to get it for less, even under those conditions.

Under normal conditions, like others have said, less than $100, for me, ALOT LESS. like maybe $10. With ammo. And a holster. And $8 dollars change.

Lots and Lots of better stuff out there to spend your money on, buddy. Some of it will even work!

gunsmith1 · May 3, 2006, 12:09 PM

As was stated it was Iver Johnsons "value" line. I regularly see these at gun shows for 30 to 75 dollars as paperweights. The fact that they have no notch for locking up and are held in alignment by spring tension means that unless in perfect original condition they are seldom safe to fire. In fact, I have never found one that wasn't broken. If I did, I'd be afraid at the first test fire the antique springs would let go and It would be broken anyway. I know of no gunsmith who even work on them.

May 2, 2006, 07:43 AM	#1
leadcounsel Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: Army, moving often! Posts: 1,102	Help me value this US revolver Here is a US .32 caliber revolver that I have found for sale for about $300. It needs some repair as the lockup needs some work and it has a small chip in the handle. I would be buying this gun only for any potential value beyond it's functional purpose with the idea of making a profit. Does anyone know if this gun holds any significant historic value? Gunbroker currently has one with the starting bid at $150 and it's in 90% condition and one is poor condition (like this one) for with starting bid at $45. My suspicion is that it's not worth anything near $300. Am I correct? Gun pictures at links. Thanks. http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...t=P1010001.jpg http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...t=P1010002.jpg Edited: Upon doing more research, it seems this is a common C&R gun and not worth $50 in its condition. Thanks for looking.

May 2, 2006, 09:11 AM	#3
walter in florida Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2005 Location: Seminole County, Florida Posts: 214	U. S. Revolver I saw one at the gun shop for 109.00 a month ago. I bought a 38S&W U.S. Revolver last year for 44.00 and it worked. I guess the going price is 50.00 to 100.00.

May 2, 2006, 07:41 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 21,782	$300? Yeah, in ever crack smoking junkie's dream. The U.S. Revolver Company was the name of Iver Johnson's "house" line, a cheaper version of their revolvers made for sale through Sears, Monkey Ward, and other mail order and hardware retailers. This gun is worth, at best, no more than $100 on a day when all of the planets are aligned just so... __________________ Coworkers. A convenient source of food in a post apocalyptic world.

May 2, 2006, 08:19 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 5,354	I don't think so If it was the only gun you could get and needed it desperately, and you are stuffed with cash, well......maybe, but I would try to get it for less, even under those conditions. Under normal conditions, like others have said, less than $100, for me, ALOT LESS. like maybe $10. With ammo. And a holster. And $8 dollars change. Lots and Lots of better stuff out there to spend your money on, buddy. Some of it will even work!

May 3, 2006, 12:09 PM	#7
gunsmith1 Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 121	US Revolver Co. As was stated it was Iver Johnsons "value" line. I regularly see these at gun shows for 30 to 75 dollars as paperweights. The fact that they have no notch for locking up and are held in alignment by spring tension means that unless in perfect original condition they are seldom safe to fire. In fact, I have never found one that wasn't broken. If I did, I'd be afraid at the first test fire the antique springs would let go and It would be broken anyway. I know of no gunsmith who even work on them.

May 2, 2006, 07:55 AM	#2
doncameron Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 143	It is a copy of the S & W .32 s&w cartridge (.32 short) safety hammerless revolver, without the grip safety. I would'nt pay more than $100. for it.. MHO! I have an original S & W, My Grandmother bought it when she was 19 and is now 92. My grandfather carried it in WWII in the Pacific. still has the original grips and everything

May 2, 2006, 09:48 AM	#4
deadin Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2005 Location: Ocean Shores, WA Posts: 1,052	Walter is right, $50-100. And it would have to be nice to reach the $100. The one you posted isn't. In fact, with mechanical problems and a chipped grip, I would think that $35 or $40 would be more like it. Dean