Colt officers match

[wnycollector]

I have a chance to pick up a pristine .38 6" colt officers match from the estate of a famil friend. I have NO idea what it might be worth!!! I'm more of a S&W guy...any help would be great! Also any background/history on this revoler would be apreciated!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

From www.gunsamerica.com

Officers Model Match .38 (GA Number: 903552262) Classified Ad
Colt Double Action Revolvers- Modern
This gun is in excellent condition showing little use. It has after market Italian walnut target grip with right thumb rest. Bore and cylinder is mint ...(read more)

Seller: Police Products Corporation (FFL Dealer) $550.00
GA Sales: 70

COLT OFFICERS MODEL MATCH (GA Number: 970223492) Classified Ad
Colt Double Action Revolvers- Modern
COLT OFFICERS MODEL MATCH IN THE RARE 22 CALIBER AND A COLT OFFICERS MODEL SPECIAL BOTH ARE 98% WITH 6 INCH BARRELS FROM THE SAME OWNER/ESTATE 895 ...(read more)

Seller: ERMLUM (FFL Dealer) $895.00

Colt Officer Model Match (GA Number: 972943246) Classified Ad
Colt Double Action Revolvers- Modern
Colt Officer Model Match 38 spl. revolver 6" barrel black plastic grips. This gun is in really good shape. It has a small wear mark on the front grip ...(read more)

Seller: Tucker's Pawn (FFL Dealer) $599.99
GA Sales: 1

Colt Officers Model Match (GA Number: 976811384) Classified Ad
Colt Double Action Revolvers- Modern
Colt Officers Model Match (4th issue) 38 special 6" barrel. Manufactured 1949-52 97-98% condition. Gun has set of elephants.

Seller: Silver Bullet Guns (FFL Dealer) $695

I'd say $500 to $600 seems fair.

 

[SaxonPig]

I'd agree with Vern.

The prices on all Colts are through the roof (but I guess Colt STILL figures they can't sell revolvers for a profit).

 

[Old Fuff]

A friend of mine recently bought a .38 that was made in 1933 off of Gunbroker.

It was in mint condition, the only problem being that old lubricant in the lockwork had turned to varnish. A through cleaning and relubrication cured that.

The workmanship and hand-tuning exceeded that you would see in most Pythons. To duplicate the piece in today's manufacturing environment, with no cost-cutting measures would cost at least $1,500 and perhaps more.

He won the auction at $400.00,and there were no other bidders.

Now he's looking for a matching .22

Do what you want, but I wouldn't walk, I'd run!

 

[wnycollector]

Thanks for the input! I needed to know what was a fair price to offer since I am not that familiar with colts.

 

[KyJim]

I have a Colt Officer's Match .38 spl. It has the best trigger of any revolver I own including my Pythons and my SW 27, 19, and others. This was Colt's premiere revolver until the Python came along. It had the same action as the Python and the same hand tuning. The values listed above are in the neighborhood. A .22 is higher priced because there were fewer made. Of course, a serious collector might be willing to pay more for a gun made in a particular year.

 

[PzGren]

I started shooting with a club owned Colt Officers Match in .22, like you I am more of a S&W guy but that old Colt did have an extremely good S/A trigger and was as accurate as it can get.

 

[Old Fuff]

Of course, a serious collector might be willing to pay more for a gun made in a particular year.

Which was the case with the revolver I mentioned in post #4. Both the buyer and the gun were born in 1933.

When he only paid $400.00 and there were no other bidders he was happy but suprised to say the least. He commented, "That's less them people pay for pistols made out of plastic and pressed metal stampings."

The world has turned... :banghead::banghead:

 

[wnycollector]

Just a quick update...I did NOT get of officers match. The executor of the estate is selling it on consignment at a local gun store. I have been bitten by the Colt bug though All I can say is WHAT A TRIGGER PULL! Feather lite, no creep!!!

Will I find triggers like that on plain jane official polices or ONLY on the officers match/target/pythons?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Generally, Colts have superb triggers and superior lockup.

Remember, Colt has been out of the revolver business for a while, and what you buy when you buy a Colt is often a gun made back in the days when craftsmanship was the rule.

 

[wnycollector]

I thought that I had felt a great trigger when I picked up my 6" S&W Model 27...that officers match blew it out of the water! I had always heard that a trigger should break like glass...but I had never felt that before.

 

[Old Fuff]

Will I find triggers like that on plain jane official polices or ONLY on the officers match/target/pythons?

Lightning can always strike, but the chances of finding a target-grade trigger pull on a service revolver are slim. The Officers Model series were built by the best assemblers Colt had, during an era when they could afford to put in the extra handwork that made a perfect gun - in all respects. This kind of workmanship is becoming a lost skill because it's no longer affordable.

Fortunately not everyone understands this, so occasionally a great buy comes along. Just keep your eyes open.

 

[420Stainless]

I bought an Official Police earlier this year. The trigger is good, but it certainly is not match grade. On the other hand, the 2nd Model Detective Special I recently bought does have a super trigger. Don't know the history of them though, so I can't say if either was helped or hurt by someone tinkering with the action.

Too bad about the missed opportunity on the Officers Match. I'm trying to save a few dollars to get one. Most of the auctions I've seen lately have been running $500 - $600 on them.

 

[wnycollector]

I could go to the gun shop and grab the officers match...but they are asking almost $800 for it! I think I will start off with a more common Official police model.

What is the going rate for a decent (90+%) 4" or 5" official police?

 

[MMCSRET]

Just last week I found and purchased a pristine Colt Official Police 22 Long Rifle with 6" barrel and no signs of use or carry. I paid $450.00 for it and almost didn't do it. I am very glad I weakened, its not a match, but its wonderful anyway. If you hesitate you loose, I know, I've done it and regretted it.

 

[Old Fuff]

I could go to the gun shop and grab the officers match...but they are asking almost $800 for it! I think I will start off with a more common Official police model.

I would wait and keep an eye on it. There is a big difference between asking and getting. After it sits for awhile (if indeed it does) they might be open to a more reasonable cash offer. Otherwise it could delay getting the estate settled. Time is not on they're side....

 

[420Stainless]

The OP I bought earlier this year is a 6" at about 80% with non-original stocks and cost $300 + tax. I would think something along the lines of the $450 that MMCSRET mentioned would be about right for one in good shape.