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First year production guns

667 views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Bert H. 
#1 ·
Without making effort I have aquired two first year of production revolvers, an S&W Hand ejector 38 Special and a Colt Police Positive 32 New Police. They are not in great condition but they're OK. I shoot them both and they do OK. I don't plan to shoot any high test ammo in them. Please don't tell me not to shoot them, I do and they are fine. Now, does being first year made add any value?
 
#3 ·
Perhaps I put this question in the wrong place. I just want to know if being first year of production adds value to common guns. I notice that sellers add that to their descriptions. Perhaps my question should just be, "Does it add value to a gun if it was made in the first year of production. I know production dates often affect value such as pre 64, pre war, last ditch etc. Location of manufacture(Beretta Italy vs US) distributer (Sears) etc." I guess now that I think about there are lots of small details that affect collector values. Is first year of production one of them?
 
#4 ·
Condition plays a large role in collectability and value. The firearms lineage being linked to prominent or notorious individuals also increases the value. Unless you have a serial number 1 or something truly unique, I doubt firing them will affect the collectability/value, especially since you described their condition as "OK".

Pre-war and last ditch refer to quality of the firearms being produced, not necessary just early production. If you look at Mosin's you will see Hex receivers, Pre-War and War Production. I own a Hex Mosin, and the machining quality is much higher than the pre-war and war production. Some people just collect the war production or last ditch firearms, due to their uniqueness; however, they don't command the money of a hex or pre-war.
 
#5 ·
"First" year production usually means nothing, especially if there were many thousands produced. For most collectors, it is the serial number that can add value. Single digit serial numbers will always sell for a premium, with 2-digit serial numbers adding a modest premium. As the length of the serial number increases, the added premium decreases.

Bert H.
 
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