Colt Junior .25

[KY Sparky]

A relative of mine has some firearms that belonged to her recently deceased husband that she is looking to get rid of. Among them is a Colt .25 Auto with exposed hammer, no grip safety. She asked my dad to look into the value of the guns because she knows we are gun guys and she knows nothing about guns or how to evaluate them. Anyway, the Colt appears to be a Junior .25 in good to excellent condition, no box or papers. I would guess it hasn't been shot much, if any. I have done a little research and it looks like some of these guns were US made and some in Spain by Astra. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures or SN# right now (all on Dad's phone). I will post if I can get them. Here are my questions for you guys.

1. Would this be worth adding to the collection? Not as a carry piece, but just a cool to have.

2. Is either the Astra version or US version better or more collectible than the other? Any way to tell the difference?

3. What would be a fair offer as described above?

If anyone has pictures of a Junior that they would like to post for comparison sake, please do!

Thanks
KY Sparky

 

[Jimfern]

1. Would this be worth adding to the collection? Not as a carry piece, but just a cool to have. - If you like 25 ACP, yes and it's a Colt, so yes anyway.

2. Is either the Astra version or US version better or more collectible than the other? Any way to tell the difference? - Colt's are always more valuable, so that's the best version to have if you are going to have one.

3. What would be a fair offer as described above? You should visit the auction sites to see what similar models are going for. $350 max would be what I was willing to pay, if that helps.

 

[bannockburn]

Yes I would get it if it's available. I had an Astra Cub which is pretty much the same gun as the Colt Junior and it was very well made. I bought because I have always been fascinated with miniature size guns. Something about the amount of work involved in designing and building such a miniscule firearm makes it so interesting.

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt bought this little gun - chambered in .22 Short and .25 ACP from Astra and branded them as the Colt Junior. After 1968 they couldn't continue to import them so they moved the production to Hartford. As .25 pistols go they represent better-then-usual quality and are generally reliable. Because it's no longer in production these factors will likely insure its value will increase over time. The last value estimate (2007) I have lists the Colt-made .25 at $250 in excellent condition, $300 if new-in-box.

 

[rcmodel]

2. Is either the Astra version or US version better or more collectible than the other? Any way to tell the difference?

Those made by Astra will have 'Made in Spain for Colt' stamped on the right side of the frame behind the trigger on the right side.



rc