Value assistance?

[LDB]

I'm looking at a beautiful Speed-Six with I think a 2.75" barrel. It has been hard chromed. It has had a trigger job but I don't know by whom. It has original grips. It also has Herrit grips. It also has a set of Badger custom grips. That's all I know about it. I hope to learn how to value it in case a trade might be worked out. Thank you for any assistance with this.

[rugerguy]

What kind of "hard chrome" industrial?? Metalife ,or the old Armaloy out of Texas?? box, no box, caliber cause some, like the 9mm are pretty scarce,so bottom line, need more info...... last one we sold that was Metalifed SS, by Ron Mehovsky ,in 38 special ,YEARS ago sold for $650 and it was NICE and boxed.........

[LDB]

It is a .357 and there was no mention of a box. There's no S/N visible in either profile photo so I guess it must be on the bottom of the frame under the grips? I don't know about the hard chrome other than it looks a lot like a SS finish. He says with both extra sets of grips etc. he has $1500 in it and is wanting to trade on some of mine based on that against my valuations. It seems like a lot although I know that can be a few hundred dollars just on the 2 custom grips sets.

[gunman42782]

That seems way too expensive to me unless someone like Hamilton Bowen worked on it or something.

[LDB]

I asked about the work and got this in reply:

The work was done Bob Cogan. His website is here: https://apwcogan.com/ Accurate Plating and Weaponry. He has built three guns for me over the years.

This gun was built from a stock Ruger Speed Six. New front sight. New Internals trigger job and hard chromed. I have about $300 between two sets of grips. Badger Custom Grips and The Herret Shooting Stars which are vintage.


Looking at the site it appears the work done and refinishing would be maybe $600 plus the grips plus the Speed-Six itself so $1400-1500 all in might be about what it was. But I have no idea how to value it now. My guns he wants to trade for are an HK USP-9C used with 4 mags and a Colt AR lower NIB with nothing extra. I went to the Badger site and it would be almost $300 to do an ebony set and get them delivered just for those. I'd sell them as the Herrets and the originals both look better in my eye. Anyway, any advice and comments greatly appreciated.

[LDB]

Curiouser and curiouser. The S/N is 160-859## stamped on the bottom of the frame. According to the Ruger site that would be a S/N during 1985. But then the S/N should be on the side, not the bottom. I wish I had my RENE to refer to. I've checked not only Ruger.com but "Ruger and His Guns" and Standard Catalog of Ruger Firearms and all agree on 1985. But doesn't that mean the S/N should be on the side?

[LDB]

I failed to add this is the best looking option, the 2.75" model.

[67stingray]

All of the Security, Service, Speed-Six series hade the serial number on the bottom of the frame. My opinion is that unless you just want a custom gun at his price evaluation it is not an investment, paying for the enjoyment you get out of owning it. But hey, I'm an old fogy about original guns. The six-series are great guns and addictive, my advice study up about them. But if you want it, go for it. Pictures help evaluation.
Bennett

[LDB]

My "want" is a -Six with a 3" or shorter barrel I can pocket holster carry. The Harrett grip looks really good on it and should be comfortable to shoot. The man who did the work is apparently well thought of so that should make it a nice shooter. The refinish is just fantastic looking. The Badger ebony grips don't speak to me at all but I could probably sell them. All in all I do like it and would like to have it but want to be sure it's a fairly even trade.

[LDB]

A bit disappointed that of going on 500 views only 3 gave any input. I'm making the trade.