Have a chance to buy a Python...

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carebear

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...and a nickel King Cobra, and a Border Patrol (Trooper?), and a Cobra and a 1903 in .32 and a Smith Model 24.

I have to see if I'm getting some money in this weekend.

Which, assuming I can get a decent price, would be the best investment? What serial #'s are key to look for?

I'm a Smith guy so far as revolvers go, Colt's are out of my experience.

The .32 calls to me.
 
Do you have the serial numbers? My R.L. Wilson book lists dates of manufacture to 1978. I can at least tell you what year they left the factory. Best investment? Everyone needs at least ONE Python....
 
They never made a nickel plated King Cobra, so you can scratch that one from the list.
Add it back to the list if it's a 2.5 inch Bright stainless King cobra.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)
 
Condition means everything. The age and barrel length of the Python means a lot. As Jeff said there is no nickel KC. The Border Patrol would depend on if it's a 1950s model or 1970s model. Cobras are fairly common so is the 1903 in .32. The S&W M24 if not one of the M24-3 have significant value.
 
I'll be getting a look at them this weekend and I'll get serial numbers and a bit of detail. A coworker's brother-in-law is selling them to get a plasma tv, she gave me the list 2nd hand.
 
Since Colt didn't make any nickel King Cobra's it's probably a bright polish stainless KC. (The bright polish are worth more).

The Border Patrol is most likely a version of the Colt Trooper Mark III that was made from 1970 to '75. There were 5,356 in blue and 1,152 in bright nickel.

An unknown number were actually bought by the US Border Patrol, and these will have BP markings stamped on the frame, usually on the right side just above the trigger.

Condition being key, I'd guess the Border Patrol would be the best investment, since so few were made.
 
Are you looking at these guns to shoot or to speculate on?

For target or money, I'd go with the S&W M-24 if it is a first run gun made between model number issue in 1957 and discontinuance of most non-magnum N frames in 1967.
I don't know if the M24-3 of 1987 is worth a large premium, but it would still be a nice shooter.

Python without a letter serial number prefix or suffix is an early gun worth a bit more.

I am not much enthused over Mk III action Colts but the scarcity of the Border Patrol variant might be worth something to somebody.
 
That's just the thing. I really won't know what I'm looking at just by sight. I'm a shooter when I drag myself to the range, not a collector of any sort.

He apparently is thinking $3-4K for the lot so I doubt that any are actually "rare", he is something of a shooter so I doubt he'd not mention that to his wife and sister-in-law.

Thanks guys. I'll go take a look and take some notes. If anything, maybe there'd be something one of the gang here would want. And FFL transfers are sooooooo fun. :rolleyes:
 
3-4k$ for the lot would be high for me if I was looking for a bargain. $4k is $666.66 per gun. $3k is $500 per piece. Check them out on auction arms or gunbroker to find out an average selling price.
 
Okay, I went and took a look today.

Colt 1903 .32, been reblued, original grips in good condition sn# 156XX, Type III by Blue Book, 1910-1926 manu.

Colt Border Patrol .357, 4" bbl, blued, sn# J723XX, owned by a county sheriff, a little holster wear, I assume the 2nd issue model 1970-1975 (barrel shroud and such)

Colt Python .357, 4" bbl, nickel (not satin), sn#K528XX

Colt King Cobra .357, 4" bbl, stainless, sn#2kc7XX (c may be a g)

Colt Cobra .38, 2" bbl, blue, sn#F766XX, has barrel shroud so 2nd issue

Smith 624 Target .44 Spl, 4" bbl, stainless, orig wood grips, sn#AHB06XX, apparently the 624 is a limited run from 86-87 only (per the Blue Book)

Except for the Border Patrol and 1903 the other guns are basically safe queens and are darn near pristine.

I'm looking at the 624 as the most unique and affordable. I don't own an "N" frame yet and I can up and download the .44 Spl for field and range use. The seller has checked the online auctions for approximate values. Depending on how much I have coming in I might look at the Cobra and/or Border Patrol as well.

Oh, I had the "lot value" wrong, it was $2-3K with most of it being the Python.
 
:cuss: Why does everybody else get in on these deals, but I am never nearby when I can afford it?:banghead:
 
Unless something drastic changes, I don't have $3K. I'm looking at getting one, maybe 2 of these. He's offering them to friends and family right now and worst case may consign them with Wild West guns.

I was thinking of y'all so I actually asked the guy if he'd entertain offers from out of state. He has no problem with it, buyer to pay shipping and transfer fee. I can give him your contact info (or the other way round) if you want to make an offer on something.

I got dibs on the 624 is all. :evil:

If anyone is interested, keep it to PM to stay within board rules.
 
Colt 1903 .32 - Left factory 1903

Colt Border Patrol .357 - - Left factory 1973

Colt Python .357 - Sure about the "k"? If so it left the factory after 1978. If only 528xx then left the factory 1967.

Colt King Cobra .357 - Left the factory after 1978. My L. Wilson "Colt's Dates of Manufacture 1837 - 1978" does not cover King Cobras.

Colt Cobra .38, 2" - Left factory 1974
 
I dunno. I was gonna go $650 on the 624 and cobra combined but I haven't made the offer because my buyer hasn't made the payment I'd need to do it.

Blue book is about $350 (95%) to $500 (100%). This thing has no box but I don't think it's been carried at all. Doesn't even look shot.

If you want, shoot me an email or PM with the offer and I'll pass it along to the seller and you can get more info direct from him.

I haven't talked prices at all yet and won't till I make my own offer.

If I can't get all these guns it'd be nice for THR members to, kinda keep it in the family.
 
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