finding value of Colt revolver

[jeffd]

I have a Colt Official Police .38 cal in what i would term excellent condition. The gun had a previous life as a service revolver for a police officer and, according to the serial number, it was manufactured in 1957.

my completely uneducated opinion thinks its nice enough for someone who collects (though its missing any papers or box). somewhere i should still have the holster it came with. i do know with usage, the condition will slowly deteriorate. the only real wear is on the barrel tip and by the trigger where it sat in the holster.

i feel like i need to find out the value before i determine the next move for the gun (trade for something id shoot more or keep and know i wont shoot it very much at all).

i went to a couple gun auction sites and it seems to be one of those "its worth between 200 and 1000" scenarios.

 

[jeffd]

pics

 

[jeffd]

my biggest concern is asking a gun shop the value. i know they need to make a buck - but i dont want all of them to be on me

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd go to Gunbroker and see what they have sold for by searching for "completed" auctions. You have to log in to see them.

 

[XxWINxX94]

From the Blue Book of Gun Values 31st Edition (latest):
Official Police: Post-War (1947-1969
$375 for 95% condition
Value jumps to $600 for 98% condition and finally $750 for 100%
You can be the judge of that one.

Also says that a 2'' Barrel in the .38 Special Chambering is 'scarce,' not sure if yours is 2, can't quite eyeball it myself.

If you had it in Nickel, you would add 15% and if it were a .22LR you would add 25%

Nice gun by the way! A true survivor!

 

[XxWINxX94]

my biggest concern is asking a gun shop the value. i know they need to make a buck - but i dont want all of them to be on me

They won't give you very much for this, unless an employee is personally buying it. Gun shops generally lo-ball you so they can flip it and make a profit.

 

[Dr.Rob]

That is in excellent shape indeed. Colts hold their value very well, and I'd suggest if it shoots as well as it looks I wouldn't sell it for less than $400, you could probably ask $500 and give yourself some bargaining room. We have very good buy/sell trade forums and you can often find a deal there/make a deal there that leaves everyone happy. You can always request in state/face to face so you don't have to pay an additional fee to a dealer, provided private sales are legal in your area.

I've seen a lot of Colts in worse shape sell for that kind of money.

 

[jeffd]

thanks all - well i just got back from the gun shop picking up my wifes purchase and got some great news. he told me that he hadnt seen any that were in this good condition except for those that were still in the box. he confirmed my thought that it had not been re-blued. looks like im going to have it sit and look purty in my collection a while longer. not often you hear someone say you should hold on to something unless youre really hurting for the cash.

 

[1KPerDay]

Beautiful piece. I've never seen one with a shortish barrel. Looks good.