Antique smith! Need help

So I'm looking at a model 1905 S&W 2nd change 38spl 5 inch barrel in 50% condition. #101826

What is it worth? The two sources I have looked at vary wildly!! One tops out at $1400 an one tops out at $500 in 100% condition

According to my books yours is the first change. Those serial numbers ran from 73251 to 120000. The second change serial number range was from 120001 to 146899. All changes rate the same in value. Excellent 650, V.G. 475, Good 300, Fair 250 and Poor 150. If yours is 50% it is probaby between Good and Fair. Hope this helps.

Looked it up in two of my books. The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson says that the serial # range of the 1st and 2nd change was 73251 to 146899. The break point between the two changes is unknown. It does say the 2nd change has two dowel pins on the star extractor. The value of both is the same, $85 - Poor, $150 - Fair, $225 - Good, $285 - Very Good, $385 - Excellent and $600 - Excellent +. The other book, Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms, says the same thing about the serial numbers but also says the 2nd change has a Februrary 6, '06 patent date on the rebound slide. Value says $125 - Very Good and $300 - Excellent.

22lr... you are using the same books i did both said 50% should be about $250 +/-
me and the owner both graded it at 50% due to finish wear and pitting. Gun still locks up tighter than a safe but the last half inch of the barrel has almost zero rifling left = (

The worn rifling at the muzzle is interesting. I see old ones regularly that lock up tight but look terrible. It seems that they are mistreated but shot little. The worn rifling is a puzzle.

all the rifling leading up to there is sharp and in great shape. I am thinking it rusted out

i think the guy is in it for to much. I laid $250 on the counter and they turned their nose up at it. His excuse is they have them going on auction for $600-$900. I told him I could put a turd up on ebay for $100 bucks but that dont mean its worth it or im going to get that much for it.

Worn rifling and 50% finish. About $150. The most important part of the barrel is the muzzle. If it is bad the barrel is bad. I had one like it with a worn barrel and it would not stay in 6" at 25 yards. It locked up tight and the action was slick, so I found a 5" postwar barrel in mint condition and fitted it to the old Hand Ejector frame. It shoots great and a friend bought it from me for his Wife, because of the round butt grip. i did not really want to sell it but I did because they were good friends. I got $250 for the old revolver.

Doug