PXL_20220402_205448904 by ColtCollector785 posted Apr 4, 2022 at 1:07 PM PXL_20220402_205456496 by ColtCollector785 posted Apr 4, 2022 at 1:07 PM PXL_20220402_205512747 by ColtCollector785 posted Apr 4, 2022 at 1:07 PM PXL_20220402_205519389 by ColtCollector785 posted Apr 4, 2022 at 1:07 PM Hello All, I picked this up in an estate recently and am looking for some more info/opinions on what I have here. The photos say it all; Colt Diamondback 22 Custom Shop in unfired condition. Only thing I don't have is the paperwork from Colt. I'd love to know if anyone has a ballpark figure for the sale value on a gun like this or if any similar have come up for sale recently. Any info is appreciated.
Holy smokes, that is beautiful! As you may already know, the Diamondback is built on the medium-small Colt "D" frame, same as the Detective Special and Police Positive guns. The barrels were made from the same blanks as the Python, though of course the Python was never bored for .22 except in prototypes. The Diamondback was the only "D" frame ever fitted with adjustable sights. I sold a very high condition 4" .38 Diamondback a couple years ago for $1500, but prices have climbed significantly since then, and the .22s are rarer and command a premium, not to mention the Custom Shop engraving, box and long barrel, which make that gun a collector's dream. As to value....I would expect to see that gun at a local show or gun shop with $3,500-4,500 on the sticker. You can also check completed Gunbroker listings (if you have a membership) for what similiar guns sold for. In any event, it is magnificent. Thank you for sharing!
With engraving and a factory letter proving the gun was done by Colt, I believe that would be a $6k+ gun. I have seen it written before that 500 of those were produced.
A Colt Factory Letter is only 100 bucks. A mere drop in the bucket if that is legitimate. Regular Diamondbacks bring good money.
That is one sweet looking Diamondback! Colt's Custom Shop turned out some truly awesome looking guns!
I wonder who does the engraving for Colt? Decades ago two friends visited me on a Friday evening. They told me that Frank (a dealer) had a Diamondback for $300. I got out $300, handed it to one of them and asked him to give the money to Frank and that I would come in after work to sign for it. He did but within 10 minutes of Frank pulling it off the shelf, somebody else came in to buy me. Whew! Good shooter and fun revolver.
Never been one for fancy engraved firearms, but that is one pretty little snake. I looked a long time for mine. It will never be for sale. Believe it or not, it came from the factory with the ugly rubber grips.
Another vote to request a letter from Colt to go with that lovely pistol. Mine is one of my "never sell" handguns.
