S&W 26 .45 Colt GA State Patrol

[Elmer]

I found this forum while doing some searching for info about a revolver I own. It's a S&W Model 26 .45 Colt, 5" tapered barrel. It has a lanyard loop on the butt, and the box is marked Model 26 "Kit Gun". I know that it was made for the Georgia State Patrol as a Commemorative, although this one was not engraved as such. I understand there were very few that were not sold as the commemorative model. It's new and unfired.

I've owned it for enough years, and I'm downsizing my collection. Any idea of it's current value? Best place to sell it?

Thanks!

 

[Brian Williams]

click here for a thread where an unmarked 26-1 from the overrun of these Georgia SHPs was sold, listed for $1350. Yours does not not have the collector value that a overrun has, you could probably get $900 for ANIB, and $750 for used.

 

[Elmer]

Actually, I think mine is an overrun of this contract. I don't think they made any others in this model.

Thanks for the pics!

 

[BluesBear]

Serial numbers were BBY0xxx. There were 800 made and 40 were over runs.
The product code on the box should read >> 100920 B AS 5" .45 Colt


Made only in 1988They came fitted with the same impossible to hold, really square feeling, smooth magna grips they used on the Model 27-3 FBI commemorative.

As for the $1350 price tag... On well maybe there really is someone out there willing to pay that since there are only 40.

Although I know someone who is looking for one and would pay more, I personally would't pay more than $500 for a GSP marked one.

 

[cigardad]

The one on the S&W board is (was) mine and did sell for $1,350.00. It's going to a new home in the Volunteer State. I still have another one that I intend to keep.

Lyle Larkworthy at Legendary Guns just sold a GSP marked model on his website that he had listed at $1,495.00 so I believe $1350.00 is pretty reasonable for a one in forty. Shoot, I'll buy Elmer's sight unseen for $900.00.

 

[Elmer]

Serial numbers were BBY0xxx. There were 800 made and 40 were over runs.
The product code on the box should read >> 100920 B AS 5" .45 Colt

Actually I bought 2 out of the batch, one was in the BBY range, one was in the BBF serial # range.

 

[BluesBear]

It's very possible that one of the over run guns fell outside the serial number range since any n-frame frame S&W had on hand could have been used.

The product code I mentioned is also for the commemorative marked model.
I don't know what product code was given to the over runs if any, since there were so few of them.

 

[Elmer]

100920 is the product code on both of mine. I don't think there's any difference between mine and the commemorative models except the etching. I think the serial number range on the commemoratives also fluctuate.

 

[Elmer]

Although I know someone who is looking for one and would pay more, I personally would't pay more than $500 for a GSP marked one.

I wouldn't pay more than $75.00 for a Glock, but I think some people do.....

 

[BluesBear]

And therein lies the difference between shooter and collector. I am a shooter first and foremost. I won't own a gun I don't shoot.

I am sure I'll make several people flinch when I say that I shoot my S&W Model 544 Texas Wagon Train .44/40.

I'll even make a few squirm when I say that I regularly shoot my S&W Model 28-2 Washington State Patrol .357.

I used to shoot my S&W Model 27 FBI .357. (Are those factory grips the worst or what?)

So, if I had a S&W Model 26 GSP I'd shoot it too.
But since the chances of me finding one I can afford are slim and none the collectors out there have nothing to worry about.

 

[cigardad]

If you are ever in Florida BB you are more than welcome to shoot mine.

I agree wholeheartedly that shooting is what they were made for and sadly the "adult bubble gum card" attitude has made alot of these prices what they are today.

My heirs will never enjoy selling them as much as I will enjoy shooting them.

 

[BluesBear]

Thankfully the Japanese can't own them or they'd all be bought at obscene prices and shipped out of the country like so many vintage guitars were.

A working bloke can't afford a good Jazz Bass or Les Paul anymore.

 

[Elmer]

Well, if history repeats itself, and it usually does, 25 years from now, (if I'm still around!), I'll think back on the day when you could buy one of 40 of a rare S&W for only $1350.00.

Course, when I first starting collecting Smiths, I was making two bucks an hour......

 

[Elmer]

Thankfully the Japanese can't own them or they'd all be bought at obscene prices and shipped out of the country like so many vintage guitars were.

Boy, isn't that the truth. I think they're still paying big bucks for old worn out Levi 501's too.............

 

[mikey357]

...well, I'm sure $1350 is what the "Market" will "Bear", so...the last one of these I saw "In Person" was an UNmarked "Overrun", and, slightly used,with box and paperwork, it sold for $650...a lil' less than the asking price, BTW...keep in mind, being IN GA, I have seen three or four of these over the last few years...my "Two Cents' Worth", anyway....mikey357

 

[Elmer]

I bought a Wells Fargo marked Schofield for $300.00, $100.00 more than the asking price of the guy who inherited it.

I don't think $300.00 is the value though..... but I could be wrong.

 

[mikey357]

...I think someone MAY be "Missing" my point...being IN GEORGIA, I probably SEE--IN PERSON--a few more of these than the AVERAGE S&W fan might...and, since MOST of 'em ended up in GA, mebbe' they don't command quite the PREMIUM here that they might elsewhere...understand???....mikey357

 

[Elmer]

Well, since I started the thread looking for advice on the current value, I appreciate the anecdotal information.

 

[BluesBear]

There ain't no antodote for The High Road. Once you're here you're hooked.

 

[akviper]

Flinch!
Squirm!
Wince!

 

[roo_ster]

Why?

I know why I would want a N-frame in .45 Colt.

Why would a police agency, in 1988, want a big wheel-gun in .45 Colt?

 

[Elmer]

It was made specifically as a Commemorative gun.

 

[roo_ster]

Elmer:

Thanks for the heads-up.