Colt 1902 .38 Auto value?

[templarknight]

Hi I am trying to get the value of a Colt 1902 .38 auto serial #5817 for my father it is in near mint the last time it was known to be fired was in 1937 or 1938 in some of the looking Ive done I have found that all the '02 colts online have had a slide lock on them as this one does not so from that I have been able to determain that it was manufactured between 1902 and 1905. Any help would be appreciated-Thanks

 

[deadin]

The lack of a slide lock leads me to believe what you have is a 1902 Sporting Automatic Pistol. These were made without the lock. The rear of the butt is rounded while the 1902 Military has a square profile. The serial number puts it in the earlier production range and the slide serrations should be at the front of the slide. THere were only 7,500 of these made and they can be quite valuable. My older Blue book puts the value of a 90% at $2,500, 95% at $3,250 and 98% at $4,500. (Take it for what it's worth. )

Obviously to valuable to shoot. But if you decide to shoot it, DO NOT use 38 Super Auto. (which will fit, and will promptly take the gun apart.)

Wish someone in my family had left me something similar,

Dean