Colt detective special

[right2bear45]

Hi everyone, I have an opportunity to buy a colt detective special in nickel finish from my girlfriends great grandfather. Its in decent condition, but its starting to tarnish right under the hammer and has some scratches. I'm not sure on the year but its over 20 years old and most of the years spent in a holster in his sock drawer. I was wondering how much something like this would run, he doesn't really want to sell it but really needs some money, he's asking for $250 which sounds like a good deal to me

 

[Trebor]

$250 is a steal. That's a $400 revolver, minimum, even with a slightly damaged nickel finish.

Depending on the exact condition it might be worth even more.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

I'd grab it for that price. Good Colt revolver gunsmiths are getting hard to find though. Hopefully the timing is tight.

 

[right2bear45]

yeah that's what i thought, but i don't know much about these guns, are they more of a collectors item or a shooter, it also might end up as a EDC for my dad. Now another question, you can legally buy a handgun when your under 21 as long as its face to face right ( I'm only 20 ). Thanks again!

 

[wrc376]

buy buy buy

 

[hinton03]

$250 is a good price, but it seems a little flakey to take advantage of your GF's Great Grand Father because he needs the bucks.

I would let him know the true value of the gun, if you are not willing to pay that price you might want to help him find someone who is.

 

[right2bear45]

Yeah I'm not trying to take advantage that's why I made a thread askin for it's true value, I already had told him it's worth about 500. Thanks for the help

 

[David E]

Can you find a picture online that looks like it ?

 

[Guillermo]

nickel guns are very expensive to restore so depending on the condition, the price might not be a lot too low.

It might be a 350 dollar gun

 

[hinton03]

Good for you.

 

[PRM]

Good Colt revolver gunsmiths are getting hard to find though. Hopefully the timing is tight. - Dollar An Hour

I bought a second issue Detective Special that had timing problems and the bluing was pretty worn (no rust - pristine bore). I sent it to Colt Industries and they went completely through the gun's mechanics and reblued it. I got it back in less than a month, looks and functions like a brand new gun.

 

[COK]

If I found one as you describe for $250 I would buy it as fast as I could. In my area it's worth more than $250

 

[Big Bill]

Don't take advantage of an old man that needs the money.

 

[ants]

PRM -

I sent it to Colt Industries and they went completely through the gun's mechanics and reblued it.

What did that service cost? Just a ballpark number, if you please. I need that service on a Colt.

 

[ants]

Get him the Bluebook value and let him make the decision on price. He'll probably give you a deal because you're honest. Tell the whole story to a nice man at a friendly gun shop, I'm sure he'll look up the Bluebook value on a Det Spcl.

You'll have to check your state laws on age. The gun shop man will probably help with that also. If the gun shop man helps you, be sure to buy cleaning supplies for that revolver as a nice gesture in return.

 

[PRM]

PRM -
Quote:
I sent it to Colt Industries and they went completely through the gun's mechanics and reblued it.

Ants - What did that service cost? Just a ballpark number, if you please. I need that service on a Colt.

It was around $250. That was reblue and the timing issue. Not bad, considering what was done. The reblue was pure Colt quality. It looks as close to a new gun as you can get. Deep royal blue, expertly done - no aggressive buffing (no rounded edges), all lettering retained sharp and clear. I would say all the final polish was probably done by hand from the way it turned out. Keep in mind, I had no rust or pitting to begin with - just wear on the finish. It was one of those projects that sort of grew as I got into it. I wound up with a little more in the gun than intended, but I am 100% happy with the end result. They can ball park a figure over the phone.

 

[ants]

Thank you kindly, sir.

 

[Ala Dan]

I agree with my friend Trebor on this one. Colt D-frames are
gett'in awfully scarce down south of the Mason-Dixon line.