Question about a Prohib revolver UPDATE!

The only prohibs that retain and GAIN value over the years are those made before 1946, Luger is a prime example, for run of the mill prohibs, its a buyers market, I bought a S&W model 38 snubby for under $200, another 4" barrel K frame .38 just over $150.

As for the model 547 you're interested in, it sure is a unique gun, but if its dirty as you describe, I would wonder how well the owner taken care in cleaning and storage? IMHO $500 would be my top offer.
 
Thanks Master-G for the article. A good read for sure. Sounds like I may be onto a good one here. I'm convinced to make a reasonable offer for sure.

TonyC,
The guns are not cleaned after shooting so mostly gun powder residue and carbon, I'm guessing. No rust. A few nicks as he used to compete back in the 80-90s. Stored in his safe in the original S&W blue box with all instructions!
 
I keep an eye on all the big Canadian gun auctions, and the prohib market is best described as "fickle". Sometimes, guns will sell for cheap, reflecting the small market that prohibs have. Other times, (apparently) one or (especially) more than one bidder decides they simply have to have a particular gun, and the price skyrockets. And often, prices of similar guns will vary greatly from auction to auction.

This morning, a couple of PPKs went at auction, a 22 and a 32, both appearing to be in excellent condition. I'm no expert at decoding the proofmarks, but as near as I can tell they are both post-war - so not 12(7) eligible.

The 32 went for $400 + fees, a typical selling price. On the other hand, the 22LR PPK sold for $1350 + fees (close to $1800 once fees and tax are included). If there's something special about that 22 PPK - I'm not seeing it.

Sometimes, people just gotta have it, and will pay accordingly.
 
I won't pay more than $400 for ANY prohib revolvers ( including Pythons) unless they are something really special or unique. I picked up a Calgary Police Service centennial S&W 4" heavy barrel model 10 with all the boxes, tools and papers for $280. It was unfired. There was one at the Calgary gun show they were asking $850 for. Ridiculous. At the end of the day it is still just another 4" heavy barrel model 10 destined for the smelter. That 547 I might go to $450 shipped.

Auggie D.
 
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Still alive said:
I think us 12(6) holders are clinging to the very small chance that the 12(X) category will be repealed in our lifetime and our investments will end up being worth something.

We can always dream....right?
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Yep, we can dream. But realistically, Harper's majority gov't was probably the last chance for that to happen.

As we age, we should get some of our non-12(7) prohibs converted to restricted status, so at least the next generation can enjoy them. As the market continues to shrink (there are less than 40,000 12(x) holders at this point), the prices will continue to drop. Eventually, there will only be a handful of us left (with some pretty impressive collections).
 
Calahan said:
I keep an eye on all the big Canadian gun auctions, and the prohib market is best described as "fickle". Sometimes, guns will sell for cheap, reflecting the small market that prohibs have. Other times, (apparently) one or (especially) more than one bidder decides they simply have to have a particular gun, and the price skyrockets. And often, prices of similar guns will vary greatly from auction to auction.

This morning, a couple of PPKs went at auction, a 22 and a 32, both appearing to be in excellent condition. I'm no expert at decoding the proofmarks, but as near as I can tell they are both post-war - so not 12(7) eligible.

The 32 went for $400 + fees, a typical selling price. On the other hand, the 22LR PPK sold for $1350 + fees (close to $1800 once fees and tax are included). If there's something special about that 22 PPK - I'm not seeing it.

Sometimes, people just gotta have it, and will pay accordingly.
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Yes, the more desirable ones like PP's and PPK's sell for higher than say a 1934 Berretta or a CZ27, but they always did, even before the prohib legislation came into effect.

More collectable versions dictate collector prices.
 
Lonesome Donkey said:
Yes, the more desirable ones like PP's and PPK's sell for higher than say a 1934 Berretta or a CZ27, but they always did, even before the prohib legislation came into effect.

More collectable versions dictate collector prices.
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For sure. Interestingly, a nondescript Beretta 1935 (32 auto) with holster went for $400 + fees. Normally 1935's sell for $100 and 1934's sell in the $200 range.

I just can't figure out why that 22 PPK went for so much. There must be something special about that particular gun that I'm just not seeing.
 
Still alive said:
Ironic isn't it that a pre-1947 12(7) can live on with our bloodline but a post 1947 12(X) gun is doomed for the smelters!
Bloody stupid laws. And some of the pre 1947 guns are tinier than the new ones!!
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12(6) prohib legislation doesn't make any sense, never did, and never will.

It was designed to make 50% or so of handguns prohibited, based upon a study of registered restricted handguns of the time.
Drastically reducing the number of registered handguns in the hands of Canadians was it's only goal.
Thus 4" or shorter barrels and .25 and .32 caliber guns were targeted, probably justified on the basis that these were not target-worthy pistols.

The 4" limitation was designed to encompass as many handguns as possible, and certainly to include all of the pocket autos, and also the extremely common old .32 caliber break-open revolvers that many Canadians had owned for generations.

However, this created a situation where serious Luger collectors with massive amounts of money invested, found themselves in possession of mostly prohibited handguns, with only their longer barreled specimens exempt.

It also meant that police armed with .38 Special police service revolvers, which were mostly 4" barrels, were now in possession of prohibited firearms.

Obviously a 4" barreled Colt or S&W revolver is accurate enough for practical target shooting, as is the .38 special cartridge.
Otherwise police departments would not have issued them to their officers, and required these officers to qualify by shooting paper targets to demonstrate their ability to accurately hit what they aim at.

And, in the end, what possible difference did it make whether a licensed firearms owner possessed a .25 auto or a derringer, rather than a .45 auto or a .44 magnum revolver?

How was Canada a safer place with one type of firearm in law abiding hands, and not the other?
 
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It's a rare AND desirable piece that will sell in a second if you want to turn around and sell it down the road! Trust me...I've been looking for one!
 
Calahan said:
For sure. Interestingly, a nondescript Beretta 1935 (32 auto) with holster went for $400 + fees. Normally 1935's sell for $100 and 1934's sell in the $200 range.

I just can't figure out why that 22 PPK went for so much. There must be something special about that particular gun that I'm just not seeing.
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You sure it was a PPK and not a TPH?
Wasn't the .22 PPK a Sport model or something, with target grips and a longer barrel? Just off memory here...
Maybe they are rarer than the run of the mill .32 versions.
 
Still alive said:
You sure it was a PPK and not a TPH?
Wasn't the .22 PPK a Sport model or something, with target grips and a longer barrel? Just off memory here...
Maybe they are rarer than the run of the mill .32 versions.
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Sorry for taking your thread off-topic...

The gun is a standard 3 1/4 " PPK in 22LR - 100% sure it isn't a TPH or target model PPK, etc. I looked at a chart online and it suggested that the proofmark was post-war. Now, I've looked up the serial # and proofmark on another site, and it suggests the gun was actually made during WW2 and is a civilian model (due to the proofmark and because it is 22). Maybe there's something special about it that I don't see, but it sure looks like a run-of-the-mill civilian PPK to me.
 
Calahan said:
Sorry for taking your thread off-topic...

The gun is a standard 3 1/4 " PPK in 22LR - 100% sure it isn't a TPH or target model PPK, etc. I looked at a chart online and it suggested that the proofmark was post-war. Now, I've looked up the serial # and proofmark on another site, and it suggests the gun was actually made during WW2 and is a civilian model (due to the proofmark and because it is 22). Maybe there's something special about it that I don't see, but it sure looks like a run-of-the-mill civilian PPK to me.
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No worries Callahan! Always good to learn something here. Besides, I checked YouTube and got a nice Hickok 45 video on the 547!

So the PPK is a 12(7) eligible gun and in the rarer .22LR. Maybe that is enough for someone to spend the coin?
 
We had the chance to pressure the government to change the prohib status when Harper was around. . It never developed enough organized support. . If we are fortunate to have another chance I hope we don't let it slip away again.
 
Still alive said:
Ironic isn't it that a pre-1947 12(7) can live on with our bloodline but a post 1947 12(X) gun is doomed for the smelters!
Bloody stupid laws. And some of the pre 1947 guns are tinier than the new ones!!
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At least your family has the ability to own ANY of these. I wasnt 10 when the firearms act came into affect, and my parents/grandparents were not gun people so I am screwed out of ever owning these guns...
 
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