How much would you pay for a S&W Model 66?
I gave $700 for this Smith & Wesson Model 66 .357 Combat Magnum. I maybe stupid, but here's why.
On this side of the revolver it is stamp "ISP 429". My father-in-law, who retired as a Iowa State Trooper carried this revolver. In 1998 he got sick and past away. I bought a skillet from a lady on Fleabay, and realized she was from our local area. She found out that I was gun dealer and said that her husband was wanting to sell some guns. He was bragging how he had a couple of trooper guns and I asked who they belonged to and one was a revolver that my father-in-law was issued and carried. He told me he wanted $700 for it and I blew it off for almost a year, thinking he may get desperate and sell it to me cheaper. That didn't happen, and I wanted to get this for my wife and get this piece back into the family, so I caved in and paid the man. Although I paid a rediculous price for it, it was worth every penny to see the faces of my wife and her siblings when I showed them what I found. My wife has a little area set up in her curio cabinet in her Dads memory and she proudly displays the revolver there. Here is her memorial.
This past weekend we went to a family reunion in the area where her Dad is buried. This is her first visit in several years.
So, how much would you pay?
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I would have paid twice as much for something like that. 0 -
I would have liked to have bought the 66 that I carried for twenty years, but the local FFLs pitched a fit and all the 66s went to some wholesaler.
So when someone asks why I don't support my local gun shop- that's why.0 -
A gun like that is priceless you pay what you have too 0 -
quote:Originally posted by big800
A gun like that is priceless you pay what you have too
Ditto.0 -
Great news. Congrats. 0 -
i would give 5 grand if i could buy my grandfather sxs 12gauge ithaca, it was stolen when he passed, he got it when he was 7 years old in 1907
you did good in my eyes0 -
Great job! That's not expensive it's priceless. 0 -
Congratulations on your find, I would have done the same thing with no remorse. However, the seller would probably be removed from my Christmas card list. I would only hope that someday you will have something he might cherish and want. 0 -
That would be worth a 2nd mortgage, if that's what it took.
VERY good for you !!
Doug0 -
Great story...worth every cent and much, much more.....
There are some family guns out there I am still hunting for. I am glad you found one of yours.0 -
You did GREAT!!! You are a real "keeper" yourself for being so thoughtful. Be careful displaying any firearms in your home. I haven't ever really done it myself, but I understand how sentimental items make you want to see them set out.
My daughter had a fake gold coin that looked VERY real....it was even in the wrapper like an actual coin would be. I saw it sitting in the passenger seat of my car. I told her that some idiot would come along and break my window to steal that silly fake coin and to not leave it out like that. Its getting so that you have to take the bad guys into account more and more these days.0 -
I paid $400 for a Model 66-2, w/box+papers, locally about 1 year ago.
So, considering the family history of your 66...not only did you do good on the price...you did something very special for your wife.
And that is priceless.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
You did GREAT!!! You are a real "keeper" yourself for being so thoughtful. Be careful displaying any firearms in your home. I haven't ever really done it myself, but I understand how sentimental items make you want to see them set out.
My daughter had a fake gold coin that looked VERY real....it was even in the wrapper like an actual coin would be. I saw it sitting in the passenger seat of my car. I told her that some idiot would come along and break my window to steal that silly fake coin and to not leave it out like that. Its getting so that you have to take the bad guys into account more and more these days.
We are very fortunate to live in a area that has low crime, and most everyone in town know that we shoot alot out here. My neighbor who is retired from the patrol as well and a former state sniper helps keep an eye on things, plus if we were to leave for any amount of time, things like this get locked up. We are vey watchful.0 -
In a case like that I'd pay as much as I had to and as little as possible. You did a wonderful thing! 0 -
I figured you were. I'm coming into the time where a lot of teens are poping in and out of my home. They aren't the smartest bunch to gander at....so I just can imagine one or more of them spreading all kinds of gossip about the guns in our home. I don't so much worry over the kids (I do a little) but I worry some numb nut uncle of one of them will get "ideas" and try something. They say an ounce of prevention is worth at least two mags full of shells. 0 -
I think it's neat you got it. It will continue to increase in value. And the sentimental value will always be there.
I got my old 4 inch model 66 that I carried on duty for about 5 or 6 years. It was a OK deal because it had gone back to S&W and got a new barrel and cylinder.
I never got my old model 15 that was issued prior to that. And the 1st model 15 I got, you could push the hammer forward when it was cocked in the single action mode.
But I let my Sig P229 and my S&W 642 go back. And they won't sell us the rifle or shotgun that we carried. They wanted over $650 for a 10 year old Sig and $292 for a well used 642.
Over the years, I think I got issued about 7 or 8 off-duty guns. In the old days, you kept trading up whenever they got a batch of newer guns. I started with old Colt agents and cobras and then got S&W model 36's, 49's, 649's 640 and finally a 642 which I carried for about 4 years or so. I liked the little 642 but saw one that was in like-new condition at Cabelas for only $8 more than they wanted for my old, beat up one. When I hired on-you bought your own shotgun and/or rifle. When I left you could only carry what they issued us. Some of the shotguns I was issued over the years were a Winchester model 12 magnum that had been cut down, some used 870's that Detroit PD had seized and then an 870 Express and finally an 870 Police.
I couldn't afford to buy all the junk ones they issued me over the years nor would they let us in most conditions. Even my 66, they made us tag them with our name and then go and purchase it from the wholesaler so the public wouldn't think we got some special deal.
The one you got is neat because it was specially numbered to his badge and it is one of the older pinned and recessed models. That along with the original box makes it a real keeper in my opinion.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
I figured you were. I'm coming into the time where a lot of teens are poping in and out of my home. They aren't the smartest bunch to gander at....so I just can imagine one or more of them spreading all kinds of gossip about the guns in our home. I don't so much worry over the kids (I do a little) but I worry some numb nut uncle of one of them will get "ideas" and try something. They say an ounce of prevention is worth at least two mags full of shells.
I remember those days with 4 boys and all their friends at our house. We had some things like CD's come up missing back then, but were lucky to never loose a gun. I guess the kids were scared I'd hunt down the perp and shoot them. At least that's what I use to tell them if anything came up missing. [:D] Your right though LF, it a different world out there today.0 -
Heck I wouldn't have SOLD it to you for that price after I found out the history.
Shame on him for making a buck off your wife's memories.
Congrats on the find. I woulda paid the price too.0 -
That pistol is priceless. I would have sold my internal organs to have it if I were you. 0 -
Thanks all for the nice comments! 0 -
I gave $269 + tax for mine. It was the first .357 I ever owned.
Congrats on finding it.0
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