Age & Value of Colt Det. Spl?

[Speedo66]

A co-worker has an old Colt Det. Spl. obtained from relatives down South.

The ser. # is 4321XX, and stamped on the bottom of the grip is A.P.D. #XXX

It's got about 75% blue, orig. wooden grips are worn.

Can anyone give me an approx. age and value?

Thanks

 

[Speedo66]

OK, a trip to proofhouse.com showed the gun was produced in 1934.

Still trying to determine value. Any knowledgeable folks in this area?

proofhouse.com by the way is a great source for age by # for a lot of brands.

 

[Jim K]

The value would be around $300-400. That is retail price, not what a dealer would pay for it.

The gun might be more interesting if he could determine, maybe from family associations, what "APD" stands for. I would assume "A--- Police Department", but knowing the city would create a bit of interest.

Jim

 

[Speedo66]

Jim,

Thanks for the info, I'll pas it on to my co-worker.

 

[krs]

It looks like this one?:

This dates to 1937 and has it's finish. The checkering of the grips is kinda' flat on the diamonds but I don't know if they were sharp when new. I wouldn't let it go for $300. - $400. . Not sure how much but that doesn't feel like enough.

 

[rswartsell]

krs- Agreed. Around here anyway 400.00 would be a S&W Mod 49 price range. I can show you a dealer listing a Cobra for $800.00. Good Colts are bringing a premium. Yours appears to be a very good specimen, the OP's only 75%. That would make a difference.

 

[Speedo66]

The Colt my co-worker has isn't as nice as the one pictured. It was a duty gun from a police agency and shows 'patina' to say the least.