Need Revolver help/info

[Bluemoon]

A friend of mine showed up today with his Great Grandfathers
S & W .38 Hand Ejector, Military & Police Model Third Change from 1905.  in outstanding condition.  To take this even futher his Great Grandfather was the sixth sheriff of Lubbock Texas and this was his Service Revolver.  Along with it is all of the documentation from S & W and all of his police arrests records from back then.
This is a very nice Nickel plated pearl handled engraved pistol.  I can post a picture later on tonight.  My friend who owns this is in his late 70's and thanks to the way of the world today is in a jam and needs to sell this piece of history.
He has come to me for help and I am now turning to my friends here.
Where do I look to start to try and find the true value of its worth with all its documented history?  Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
 

[Huntbear]

This piece with all the documentation could be worth a small fortune..  The documentation is what will make it the most valuable to collectors.

Find a good antique firearms expert and get it appraised.   You can actually do some work on the Net, and probably find someone local that could help you and your friend.

[bobcat]

Take it to Pawn Stars.

[coriantonk]

you could contact the Washington Arms Collectors.  I know that there are a couple of appraisers that write articles for the gun news.

http://washingtonarmscollectors.org/admin.htm

[washelkhunter]

Do a search at Gunbroker.com. you may find one there to get a feel for the value.

[Biggerhammer]

Plain and simple, it is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. There are no set prices on such items, supply and demand. Find the right guy, it will be worth a fist full of cash. For the majority, it won't even turn their heads.

[Alpine Mojo]

Not to knock your friend's great grandfather, but any documented history of this guy's career wont add to the value of the gun...unless he made a famous arrest and you had provenance that gun was involved at the scene.  Otherwise, the buyer isn't going to care who the 6th sheriff of any city was.

[buckfvr]

Maybe see if it could be advertised in the greater Lubbock Texas area, may be of significance to someone there that would know how to circulate the item to collectors.