Stainless Diamondback?

[BBBS]

Just got back from the pawn shop, sorta. Anyway, the 2 1/2 inch .38 Diamondback is nickel plated I beleive, but the .22 I was told is stainless. I am half tempted to beleive him, the finish is not the same as the other Colt. Is there anyway to check the serial# to find out or maybe another test? Serial# on the .22 4 inch is D944xx Thanks for any help.

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

That's a new one on me. I never heard of a S/S Diamondback. Most likely it been satin nickeled(Brush Nickel).I think you were giving incorrect information.

Ruger Redhawk

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

After looking at your pictures I think it's a nickeled Diamondback.

Ruger Redhawk

 

[BBBS]

Yeah, after cleaning them up, I too think there both Nickel. Although the 4 incher is not as nice, quality wise. I don't know why he would write stainless on the reciept. Here's one of them cleaned.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have never heard of, read of, or seen a stainless Diamondback or other Colt D frame revolver. As to why somebody would put it on a ticket, either he didn't know the difference or he was making it up to improve salability.

 

[BBBS]

The reason I bought them is you don't see too many 4 in. .22's or 2 1/2 in. .38's in nickel. At least I haven't. I have 7 or 8 Diamondbacks now. These are the only 2 that are nickel. Also, the guy has not been in buisness very long. I was his first buyer.

 

[dfariswheel]

Colt never made the Diamondback in stainless steel.
They did make the Diamondback in Satin Electroless Nickel, also known as "Coltguard".

A good way to tell is to compare the Diamondback to a known stainless steel gun.
Electroless Nickel has a "yellow" tint that looks obvious when compared to true stainless.

The other only possibility is the gun was after-market hard chrome plated.
Looking at the pictures, I think it's either a deteriorated factory nickel finish, or possible a re-nickel job.
Colt didn't turn out much in the way of bad nickel jobs.

D944xx was made in 1976.

The "D" serial number range that year began at D72251 and the "D" series ended with D99999 sometime that year.

This is well before Colt started making any revolvers at all in stainless.

 

[BBBS]

Thanks guys. I have no idea why he wrote stainless on the reciept. Doesn't change anything. I still love those Diamondbacks.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I would feel the same as you do BBBS. If you really like the guns, who cares? Enjoy!

 

[Standing Wolf]

...the guy has not been in buisness very long. I was his first buyer.

You may be his last, too.

 

[JNewell]

I can't imagine that too many of us would be disappointed to walk in the door with either of those Colts, much less both, even if they weren't stainless.

Just be careful how you clean them; some cleaning chemicals will attack the plating.

 

[BBBS]

Thanks. I use a little polishing compond on a cloth, non abrasive type. I would like to maybe soak them in something, but what. They don't seem to have been cleaned in a while. Does anyone know of a good product for that use? Thanks again

 

[22-rimfire]

As was mentioned, there were definitely no D serial numbered stainless Diamondbacks. I don't believe Colt even offered a stainless gun in the 70's. I would be interested in what you paid in round numbers for each. Nickel 22's are keepers.

BBBS: You ought to visit the Colt forum as there are quite a few Diamondback lovers there. You have a significant collection of Diamondbacks building! Enjoy!

 

[unclestu]

Congrats on your nice "new" revolvers! On nickel plated guns, be very careful with, or avoid, the use of Hoppe's #9 solvent, or any other product with ammonia in it. It was explained to me like this: it's the ammonia that's harmful, even in low concentrations. It can cause nickel plating to peel, by attacking the underplating.

If you *do* use old reliable #9 or any other procduct with ammonia, be sure to remove every trace of it before putting the gun away. Be particularly careful of any worn spots or scratches in the nickel plating; from what I've been told, that's where the trouble will start.

 

[BBBS]

22- rimfire, I got them both otd for $1550.00. Too much?

 

[Shootcraps]

Don't "soak" them in anything. Just clean them regular and remove all of the solvent. Two nice looking pistols.

 

[JNewell]

I got them both otd for $1550.00. Too much?

Not if they're in nice condition. D'backs have really gone up in price. They're wonderful revolvers.

 

[thatguy]

$1550. OMG.

 

[BBBS]

thatguy........omg? is that good or bad?

 

[22-rimfire]

You Did Real Good On Price! You could have easily paid that for the 4" Nickel 22.

 

[BBBS]

Thats what I thought. I sold a .22 nickel 4 in. for $1600.00 a while back and I have been kicking myself since then. This one goes in the safe, when I'm not shooting it. The .38 also.

 

[larry starling]

both appear to be nice looking. Excellent find!

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

You guys have allot more knowledge on these Diamondback then I do..I had three of the, I sold a 4"Blued 38 and a 4"Blued 22lr.
My question is what would a ball park figure be on a NIB UN-fired (Yellow tag hasn't even been removed)6" Blued 22LR. DB.I would like an idea what it's worth?

While I'm asking what would a NIB-unfired 6" Blue Colt Trooper in 22 mag be worth?


I sold that 4"' DB in 38spl for around 350.00. Back then DB's were still being made and weren't a problem to get. That must have been in the later 70's.I wish I had it today.They are a nice gun

Ruger Redhawk

 

[BBBS]

Red hawk, I don't know about the Trooper but a NIB Dback I'm guessing is worth $750 to $850 maybe more. Check some of the auction sites, or just sell it to me. I have a few, but always need (want) more. Have some Colt's for trade if interested.

 

[22-rimfire]

The Blue Book NIB price on the trooper MKIII is $450. You will see them listed from $375-$400 to $500. I could probably stand another Trooper or the Diamondback for that matter. Email me if you are interested.