Posted: 10/10/2011 3:40:27 PM EDT
Stopped by the local FFL today to pick up a transfer and about had a heart attack:
Two first year unfired Colt Cobras. One 3" 22lr and a 2" 38 Special. $225 for the 38 and $300 for the 22. I slapped a $100 down so fast to put them on lay-a-way (stupid banks closed on Columbus day or I would have had the cash to just buy them). They also had two Colt Special Police ( one in 38 and one in 32), a Colt Bankers Special, a Detective Special, and a Frontier. Only one fired was the Banker. It was PD marked. all of them were first production year. Some old guy came in today and sold them all. Needed money. I'll have the Cobra's home tomorrow. They also had a slightly used Magnum Carry. Getting that too, but it was for $650. Not the smoking deal that the other ponies are. |
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that was a smoking deal on both of them! they are beauties. but, i will offer a little colt advice. the 2 inch 38 is definitely not a first year gun. 1950 was the first year for the cobra. the serial numbers went from 1LW to 1499LW in 1950. the long ejector rod on your 38 was introduced in early 1952, and used from then on. the small ejector rod head was started about the same time. the long ejector rod head on your 3 inch 22 was one of 4 different early styles. the barrel address on the left side had the abbreviation "CT" for connecticut until 1955. after late 1955, it was changed to "CONN". the early guns also had a "two-tone" finish, with the cylinder flutes, topstrap, and visible grip frame being a "flat" beadblasted, dull finish, and the other surfaces being the regular higher polish (both nickel and blue). lastly, i can't really tell whether your grips "hide" the bottom strap of the butt frame. the early guns had two "flat-backed" panels, and the grip frame showed all the way around, and the later ones had "filler blocks" hiding the shorter grip frame's bottom strap. (also, MOST of these pre-52 guns had plastic "coltwood" grips, although there may have been a few with the walnuts from the factory. it was not uncommon for a set of "prewar" grip medallions to show up on the pre-52 guns, especially in the custom pearl and ivory panels, and some earlier walnut grips surely slipped through, too.)
i am not giving you a hard time! just sharing some facts, for your next gunshop adventure! they are beautiful guns, and the 22 may very well be a first year gun. i just can't tell from the pic. gun dealers who promote misinformation aren't doing any of us any favors. knowledge is your friend! |
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I have the tyler crhome #7 T-Grips (colt grips ) for it . 30.00 shipped. [email protected]
Bob |
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13 years ago I walked into AMS in Woodenville and there was a minty S&W 29-4 44 mag under the glass for $200.
I asked, "What is the deal with that? It should cost twice that!" The response from behind the counter was that it was on consignment and they guy just came through 5 minutes ago, and wanted the price reduced to sell fast. I pulled out the money without even touching the gun. It came with the box. With a magnifying glass, one could see some holster wear next to the muzzle. 13 years later, I am ready to stumble on some underpriced Colts, but so far, no more lucky deals. |