You can actually have the ATF or FBI do a search on the serial number and tell you if it is not legit. As for the $175, hit up a pawn shop. There you know it will be legit. .38 is not a large caliber gun, police issue is nothing special, S&W make good guns, but not that good at that caliber. As far as trying to sell it online, why not... How much other crap has been sold here besides audio equipment?