Is this a deal?

[Panzerschwein]

Hey gang! I've been in the market for a Colt Police Positive Special in .38 special, and today I found one on GunBroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=452131047

It looks to be in good shape, and is marked $275 for "buy it now". It does say "CONSIGNMENT SALE", I'm not sure what that means? I really am interested in this gun and if you all could tell me if this is a good price I just might have to get it!

Thanks!

 

[bannockburn]

Cooldill

Just going by the few photos it sure seems like a good price on a Colt Police Positive Special. A lot will depend though on how well it checks out mechanically and keep in mind that the seller has it listed as being sold "AS IS" with no refunds or exchanges.

 

[newfalguy101]

Consignment sale means the dealer is selling it on consignment.

That will somewhat limit how much "dealing" he can do on the gun, it also tells you he has limited knowledge on the gun beyond what his customer tells him.

 

[chicharrones]

It looks to be in good shape, and is marked $275 for "buy it now". It does say "CONSIGNMENT SALE", I'm not sure what that means?)

That usually means someone is selling a product for the owner. Such as a gun dealer selling it for a customer, but the gun dealer didn't purchase it outright. So, the dealer will make a consignment fee or commission taken out of the selling price of the gun.

 

[Normandy]

If I were trying to buy it, I would first inquire about the bore, the lock-up, and the "hammer push off". If all were good, I'd spring for it, on the BUY IT NOW.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Okay cool!

So when I hit "buy it now" I will win it for $275 or will I owe more money because it's on consignment??

Sorry, I'm really stupid when it comes to financial things.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

$25 bucks shipping and whatever your transfer dealer charges.
You can also try risking the $250 opening bid but if someone else gets involved (real or shill) it could end up past the BIN price.

 

[kcofohio]

Cooldill, the $275 would be the price of the item. Not including the shipping and transfer. The dealer gets the $275. The dealer takes his percentage/cut of said price, and the original owner gets what is left of the $275.

That is my understanding of consignment.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Okay thanks!

It sort of threw my for a loop. I didn't know if I would have to pay more money later on or something like that.

 

[Waveski]

The return policy is "As is - no refund OR RETURNS"

The seller has had a mere 12 transactions on 'Broker. Bad combination.

If the seller would allow a 7 day non-shooting return policy I would bite.

As the situation now sits you are going out on a limb.

Good luck.

 

[jrdolall]

You take a big chance any time you buy used and even more online. The gun will wind up costing you $300 plus whatever your FFL charges.

It

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks my friends, I e-mailed the guy last night asking about the mechanical condition of the gun.

No response.

So I messaged him again because we all know what Einstein has to say about that LOL! Hopefully he responds back and has good things to say, otherwise I may well just steer clear as it does smell a tad fishy since most of these are going for double the price on Gun Broker and are in just as good or even worse external shape.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO, a price of $275 is very low for a nice Colt revolver. You know what they say, "If it sounds too good to be true it usually is."

The dealer is not responsible for the condition or working order of the gun because it's not his gun and he also covers himself by listing the gun AS IS. I just don't trust deals that are too low especially on one of the auction sites. (sorry, not what you wanted to hear but you have to consider it)

 

[newfalguy101]

There is a reason the dealer started it out at the price he started it at.....

 

[ColtPythonElite]

lf it was a deal, someone else would have snagged it by now, especially since you shared it with us vultures.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Yeah I sort of agree.

The guy e-mailed me back and said the following:

"Hello. I am by no means an expert on revolvers, but this consignment item appears to be in very good working order. The lock up seems solid, the rifling of the bore is strong. When I push on the cocked hammer, it doesn’t budge. But then again, I wouldn’t expect it to."

So I guess thats good. I think I will hold off on this, just doesn't smell right. Besides, I'm working up funds for some other revolvers that I want/need more than this one.

 

[BobWright]

In my opinion, any gun under $300 is likely to be a bargain, except for older DA Colts.

Older DA Colts are no longer serviced by Colt, and parts, and good 'smiths, are very hard to find.

This gun is an older DA Colt.

Bob Wright

 

[Old Fuff]

Looking at the pictures, it appears to be post-WW2 production, most likely 1972 or later. They're no marks around the cylinder indicating that the revolver is out of time, and in fact it seems to have been little used, if at all. I don't see any evidence of burred or dinged screw slots. It does have some minor cosmetic issues.

By the time it's delivered the true cost will likely be around $325 to $350 if no one bids it up from the present level.

The Police Positive Special of this era is identical to the more popular Detective Special, but with a 2-inch or more longer barrel. It's an easy gun to pack, and offers 6 rather then 5 chambers.

If he was looking for a revolver of this kind, the Old Fuff would wait until the auction was almost finished, and if bidding hadn't driven the price up he'd jump. Is they're some risk? Sure. But from what I see it's minimal .

 

[Onward Allusion]

Good price IF it is indeed in good condition, which I doubt.

Ask the usual questions. Bore, timing, ignition, trigger return, overall action...

Ask for additional pictures. The first one is so dark that nothing but the barrel and grip shows. Either the guy is trying to hide something or is a really bad photographer. Being a bad photographer in these days of snap-snap-snap-delete-the-crap it is pretty hard to be a bad photographer.