Posted: 10/3/2010 9:07:46 AM EDT
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Hey All,
This is not my area so I'm hoping their are some folks here that can steer me in the right direction. A woman in her 80's found her father's old railroad police revolver and asked if I could find out information about it and what would be a fair price to sell it for. It is a Colt Army Special that looks in pretty good condition. Serial number is 405XXX. I posted some pictures of the markings and gun itself on my website and the link is below. Thanks in advance ... Pictures |
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It was made in the 1920s. It is worth more with the holster. If her dad had any LE credentials such as a badge to go with it and you can prove the background of the gun, it has more value as a collector piece than it does as a shooter.
That model is fairly common. As a shooter, it's not worth more than $300 max IMO. |
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Army Special 405XXX was made in 1915.
The Army Special was the perfected version of the worlds first double action, swing-out cylinder revolver, the Colt New Army & Navy. This was first sold in 1889 and was rapidly improved until production stopped in 1907. In 1908 Colt brought out the perfected model, the Colt Army Special. This was made to shoot the then new .38 Special cartridge. The Army Special was offered in blue and nickel, barrels of 4", 4 1/2", 5", and 6". Calibers were .32-20, 38 Special, and .41 Colt. Grips were hard black "Gutta Percha" rubber until 1924 when they were changed to checkered walnut with silver Colt medallions. Since the Army didn't buy the Army Special, but the police loved it, in 1927 Colt simply changed the name to the Official Police and made the gun virtually unchanged until 1969. The Army Special was the base design frame and action for all Colt medium frame revolvers up to the Colt Python. These are not rare since hundreds of thousands were made, and value depends on actual condition. Assuming this gun is in 50% original condition, it'd be worth about $300 or so. From the pictures this one looks to be in pretty good shape which would up the price. For a better estimate, look the gun over and decide about how much original blue is left. Then go to a book store and find a copy of The Blue Book of Gun Values. This is a super thick paperback book. Look in the Colt section for the Army Special and check current values for a gun in that condition. There are also other gun value books that offer values. As for the markings: The tiny triangle on the front of the trigger guard is a "VP" in a triangle. That's Colt's "Verified Proof" stamp indicating it passed proof. A letter on the rear of the trigger guard is an inspectors stamp. There will also be an inspectors stamp on the frame, below the serial number. |