value of a colt from 1912

[vato]

i'm thinking of selling grampa's 38 special.
its a colt police positive from 1912 and in pretty good condition considering its age.
but im not sure what its worth. help me out!
tempted to go shoot the thing but it ain been fired for a long time!
so, what do you all think?

 

[Jim K]

That gun, assuming it has not been reblued, looks to be in near new condition, not even cylinder stop marks in the leades. I would not shoot it or even dry fire it until you can get an appraisal. Ordinarily, Colts of that vintage bring only $300 or so, but one in top shape can go $700 or more, so I wouldn't do anything to it.

Jim

 

[Jim Watson]

In the first place, it looks in very nice shape. If you just must sell what most of us here would consider a family heirloom, one of the auction sites might do the best. Dollar value is not many hundreds of dollars.

In the second place, it is NOT a .38 Special, that would require the longer frame and cylinder of the Police Positive Special. It is in .38 Police Positive caliber, which is what Colt called the .38 S&W cartridge to keep from having to put their main competitor's name on their gun. They had ammo loaded with a flatnosed bullet to be distinctive looking. Naturally it is not made any more but you can still get .38 S&W which is the only correct load.

 

[vato]

as far as i know its all original and i dont think it was ever reblued. there is some holster ware on the end of the barrel, but no deep scratches or dents in the grips. it is turning a bit brown on the frame of the handle and was thinking of rubbing it down with a fine stealwool and some oil but maybe i should just leave it alone!! and if its only worth a couple/few hundred, ill be better of holding on to it till my boys can appreciate it.
thank guys for the imput!
oh, and i did take it to a local gun shop just to have him offer me a hundred in credit!! ya right!! i told him to where to stick the credit and walked out!

 

[Jim Watson]

I would not rub it with steel wool, even if it were turning a little brown along the grip straps.
An oily coarse cloth is about the roughest thing I would rub it with. Keep it oiled and the oxidation will gradually rub off and leave the surface grayish where the blue is worn.

I just hope it is still legal when you want to pass Great grandpa's gun on to your son.

 

[texagun]

Blue Book of Gun Values lists the Police Positive in 100% condition at $550. One in 98% is listed at $450. That will give you some idea of the value. Collectors would most likely pay more. That is the nicest one I have ever seen....certainly close to 100%. If it were my Grandfather's gun, I would NEVER sell it at any price.

 

[Sniper X]

I'm super surprised they aren't worth more than they are too! Some other guns from that era may be worth thousands. Like a 1912 1911!

 

[bannockburn]

vato

If it were me, I'd hang onto it, as family heirlooms mean more in the long term than a couple hundred dollars might mean right now. I'd keep it in the family.

 

[Camjr]

If it were me, I'd hang onto it, as family heirlooms mean more in the long term than a couple hundred dollars might mean right now. I'd keep it in the family.

x2. You would regret it as soon as it left your possession. Keep it as an heirloom. It will mean more to you.

 

[Old Fuff]

At the moment Police Positive Colt's are not a hot item with collectors, but interest is growing. Don't reblue it by the way, because what's on it can't be duplicated.

Shooters seldom buy them because they are chambered for the .38 Colt New Police cartridge (same as .38 S&W) which is sometimes hard to find, and generally expensive.

That said, they are fine, hand-built revolvers that offer workmanship you don't see today, and is one of the Old Fuff's favorites. I generally see them selling in the $250 to $350 range when they are in almost-like-new condition.

Personally I would keep it. I don't think the value will go down.

One last point: The Police Positive and Police Positive Special revolvers were numbered in several serial number series, and because of this they are sometimes mis-identified as to date of manufacture. I suggest you post the serial number (use xx for the last two numbers) to confirm when it was made. You will find the number stamped on the frame, under the back end of the barrel, behind the crane cut-out. You need to swing out the cylinder to see it.

 

[vato]

found the number in 2 spots. [serial# 1076xx] and theres a [q] stamped under the number. the number is also stamped on the swingarm that holds the cylinder but no q on there. when its closed the numbers face each other.

and i must confess!! acktually it wasnt my real grampa's!!!
he was just an old timer that gramma was banging!! and he left her with all kinds of bills!
she's probably chasing him all over hell right now!!! i ackually payed her 250 for it several years back cause she needed the cash and i figuring it would be worth more then a couple c notes in time!
well, guess it aint been enough time yet!!:banghead:

 

[Old Fuff]

It was made in 1919, not 1912 - someone looked in the wrong serial number series.

You can look it up at www.proofhouse.com

Look under Police Positive 38

As for value, remember Colt's are going just one way - up. They'll never make them like that again.

 

[Guillermo]

Colt Collectors Association is having their annual show in October. It is in Houston. If you are near that would be a good place to find wild-eyed Colt fans.

http://www.coltcollectorsassoc.com/