Colt .38 Super

[jdberger]

I found this at a local shop. It calls to me late at night, but at an asking price of around $2k...well....my waking self has some doubts.

It appears to be a Colt .38 Super made in the first year of production. My guess is that it made it to Mexico in some stage of its life (the grips were my first clue). Check out the nasty scratches on the right side. I'm thinking that the sling swivel of a shouldered rifle might have done that damage...who knows?

Can anyone give me more info? How about price? And, should I buy it, could it be cleaned up without adversely effecting the value?

 

[Sunray]

"...asking price of around $2k..." Not for 2 grand.
"...It appears..." Find out what it's chambered in, but 2 grand is too much money.

 

[jdberger]

it is .38 Super.
i work for lawyers....we have a problem making definitive statements...

 

[Old Fuff]

The grips are likely Mexican, but you see a fair number of them elsewhere - especially Texas. The exterior of the gun suggests that it had a hard life, so I'd wonder about the interior. I doubt that it's worth the asking price, but that would be up to a potential buyer. If you looked around the auctions and classic gun dealer's sites I suspect you could find a similar gun in better condition for the same or slightly more money.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know about the price, but you are not going to find a first year Super very often. If you want it for the scarcity, pay the price, it isn't going any way but up as long as an American is allowed to own a pistol. I don't think it has led a hard life at all; lots of decent guns out there with more scratches, holster wear and idiot marks. I think a collector would rather leave a gun like that alone than to "clean it up" other than the routine cleaning you would do to any blue gun. What I mean is, no refinish allowed.

If you want something to shoot, Colt is making brand new Supers now with better steel and better barrels. And you can get Mexican grips for it.

 

[Jim K]

Mexico is a distinct possibility. The .38 Super is/was common there, as the law banned ownership of pistols in the military (.45 ACP) caliber.

Jim

 

[Tijeras_Slim]

$2K seems kind of high to me in that condition. Shame previous owners don't know how to take care of the guns I come across.

 

[webley455]

In my experience the price is about right for a first year 38super- but that condition should reduce the value by 2-300 dollars. I'd try $1600 and see where that went.

 

[larry starling]

Price seems a bit high to me. But its your money and if you like it and can afford it. What the heck buy it..... One in 98 PERCENT IS WORTH $3,200 BUCKS. by blue book values, so go from there. If it was me I think I would respectfully pass.