[mcbfl]

Need help judging price and condition. I know that pictures don't tell the hole story. The gun is probably redone. Thanks to any who can help.




.. . that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. . . and that government of the people. . .by the people. . .for the people. . . shall not perish from the earth.

[SaxonPig]

Looks decent. Grips are Jay Scott fake pearls (worthless to me) and original replacement wood will run $25-$50. To me, this gun is worth about $225. At $200 I'd feel good about the shooter grade Colt I bought. At $250 I'd enjoy the gun but not the deal. More than that and I pass.

But that's me. Your have to decide what it's worth to you.

[evan price]

$300-$500 depending, "condition" won't matter if it is not the original finish as it appears it is not. Been seeing a lot of OP's trading on the auction sites in the $250-$350 range in generous 60% condition. Figure that, plus what a blue job would run is the value of the gun.

There's dreamers out there that would say $600-$700 but honestly there's no shortage of OP's out there and that one is nothing special.

[Harve Curry]

I have a few Colt Offiical police revolver like yours. I like the Tyler T grip fitted to them with stock wood grips. They are one of the most accurate well built revolvers you can find, same frame and lock as a Python without the frills.

[farscott]

Perhaps I am not tight enough with my money, but I would expect to pay more than $250 for an Official Police, refinished or not. I just paid $388.75, including tax, for a 1947-vintage Official Police with considerable finish wear. Did I pay too much?

The answer depends upon what the basis of comparison. First, there are no more Colt revolvers being produced, so there is no new supply. The number of Colt revolvers in existence is dropping each year. Second, used S&W Model 10s are going for at least $250 since I just paid that amount for a 1973-vintage Model 10 with some surface rust and felt I got a screaming good deal. The Model 10 is probably the closest currently produced equivalent of the Official Police as both are service-grade revolvers in .38 Special. The MSRP on a new Model 10 at $758 is enough to make me question whether S&W sells any of the new ones. The Official Police has more detail work and a better metal polish than a new Model 10, and the Colt Pony on the frame. As such, I would expect to pay more than $250 for an Official Police.

[Thomas Garrett]

$400.00 ish is about the average price right now on a OP 4". I own 3. but mine are 98-99% finishes and OMM's and a King Super Target. They are alot more. Note, the one pictured still will suit someones shooting cravings. The old Colt's are like swiss watches.:D

[SaxonPig]

Price or value estimates are always that: estimates. I admit to being a cheap bastard and I am generally willing to wait and look for a better deal rather than pay whatever it takes to own something.

Yes, Colt prices have gone nuts in recent years, but you can still find deals if patient. A refinshed gun has zero collector value in most cases and one with missing parts (like original stocks) also suffers diminished value (although most sellers don't seem to think so).

Here are a couple of my good deals on Colts.

A 1967 Official Police with considerable holster wear but perfect function. $165 (although this was about 3 years ago). The really cool custom stocks came as a bonus.

http://www.fototime.com/A57E03BC42BB8AE/standard.jpg


Another 1967 Colt, this time a 357 Trooper. Again, much wear to the blue but shoots great. Paid $205 at a local show.

http://www.fototime.com/209BC5332C6C30A/standard.jpg


A 1964 357 Trooper in very nice shape, just a little wear on the edges. Paid a little more for this one, $400, but it came with the early target stocks which can bring $200 or more all by themselves.

http://www.fototime.com/257AD7125BE3D4C/standard.jpg


This .22 Officers Model Match is refinished but nicely done and is wearing a nearly perfect set of early target stocks that I figured were worth at least $250 making the gun a good deal at the $375 I paid for it a couple months ago.

http://www.fototime.com/452379B6DFDF1E8/standard.jpg


All guns are expensive and getting worse. I am really glad that at this point I have just about everything I really want and can be a selective shopper when I do decide I want something. If I can't get a decent price on an item, I pass. If I were younger and more anxious to own something, I might feel differently and be more willing to open my wallet.

Each man has to decide his own priorities. Picture the gun laying on a table next to the cash it would take to buy it. You can choose one. Which do you pick up?

[farscott]

I am jealous that I am not a better shopper as SaxonPig's Colt revolvers are both awesome and acquired at lower prices than mine. The Officers Model Match is both gorgeous and was acquired at a screaming good price. His Official Police was half the cost of mine and in about the same condition. The only difference is mine has the original Coltwood grips that are correct for the 1947 date of production.

I wonder how much pricing is regional. Colt revolvers here are scarce, and the prices reflect the scarcity. The best deal I have seen recently was a LNIB Ultimate Stainless King Cobra for $450. It never even made it into the display case.

[mcbfl]

Thanks to all for your input. I will not hold my breath that the seller will drop his price. He is asking almost 500.