Colt Official Police....am I crazy

[atr]

I just came across a near mint condition (98%) Colt Official Police in .38 Spl with a 6" barrel....in its original box with the original paperwork...

the shop is asking $788.00 plus tax....does this sound like a fair price or not?
your comments would be appreciated
thanks
atr
ps....I must say it is a beautiful revolver

[ddixie884]

How many years since they made one? How many years til anyone makes one as well made? How many are left in that condition? It's only money and it is worth less every day. If you want it and can afford it, you may not get another chance to own one like it.

[9.3X62AL]

If such a critter was on display at my local shop, it would already be doing the CA 10-day wait. Examples in that kind of shape don't grow on trees. Be there when the place opens tomorrow. The OP is a lot more revolver than the Police Positive Special, and well worth the price bump usually seen between the two models. It's not a +P gun, though.

[Suo Gan]

The gun real world is $550 at the top of the retail market without the box and papers. I am not a collector anymore and I could care less about an old cardboard box and some old literature for something I want to shoot. You are going to pay $250 for that box and papers. If you plan on making the gun your shootin iron, it will depreciate faster than driving a Chevy Volt off the lot. Just my 2 cents. If you do not shoot it and keep it as it is, you might turn a small profit in ten or twenty years. I love guns, whatever you decide you have to do what is right for you, not for me though.

We have a 4" PP that is pre war and was carried by a Highway Dick (relative) after the war. Dad refinished it and it looks new now. I can envision those with a $32 price tag on them and the used ones were practically free in the 50's. Times they do change.

I would flash them $500 and tell them they can keep the cardboard.

[waksupi]

Drive over here, I will sell you mine without box, and with "experience" showing for $350!

[ilcop22]

Sounds like a really expensive piece of TP and recycling. I wouldn't drop the cash on that. You can find 'em in that condition for $400 bucks - or - you can find one in worse condition and for $20 bucks get a bottle of cold blue.

[GabbyM]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=32&pictureid=4900

I paid $570.00 for this S&W M15 a couple months ago off Gun broker auctions.
No box and the serial number writen on the inside of the diamond grips does not match the gun. Well it' will be a shooter. Probably a gift to my youngest daughter after a while.
Made in 1952 and is absolutely perfect. I'd rather have an old Smith like this than a new one. Plus even at $570.00 it's over $100 less than a new one. Since you can't buy new Colts the used ones go for new prices.

Below is a later model 15 but still with pinned barrel. Picked this one up the same week for $350.00. Revolver looks even beter than it does in this photo. I think $350 was a great deal and was surprised when no one bid it up.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=32&pictureid=4901

[NickSS]

I bought a really nice perhaps 90% original finish Police Positive a couple years ago for $350 and I thought that was high.

[Bret4207]

I think it's waaay over priced, but I'm told I'm still living in the '70's.

[gnoahhh]

I recently sold a new-in-the-box Colt OP, 6", manufacture date of 1940, for $700, to a dealer. It literally was new in the box, not even a trace of a drag line around the cylinder, factory fresh blue in the chambers. Believe me it took a lot of willpower to not cock it at least once, or even open the cylinder! Paid $250 for it 20 years ago. (Used the money to buy another nice Colt, a New Service in .38/40, one that I can shoot without worrying about decreasing its value.)

[onceabull]

Every 6" 96% Colt Official Police you ship here will bring you $425 plus your net shipping cost..with original Box, call for estimate...Onceabull

[David LaPell]

How much? The last one I saw here a couple of months back was $500 flat.

[9.3X62AL]

Gents.......

You are forgetting "California Factors". 98% condition and box/papers aside, such a revolver is likely 50+ years old, and therefore no longer is restricted by CA Handgun Safety Certification limits. As such, its net value is enhanced here in the Worker's Paradise, often significantly. I'd go $750-$800 for this example, and shoot it sparingly and enjoyably--just as I do my Officer's Model Target in 95% shape for a whole lot less than $800.

[JohnnyFlake]

That definitely sounds like a nice piece. With the original box and paperwork, your probably paying about $200 for the box and paperwork. Is the box and paperwork worth that much, you bet it is, to a true collector. If your buying as a collector, the price is probably a bit high but also probably worth it! If your buying it to shoot, then the price is way too high!!!

You can find a shooter, although far and in between, in the $350 to $500 range, especially at Gun Shows.

[atr]

it would be a revolver that I would shoot, not put on a shelf. Having thought it over I have decided that as a shooter it is probably overpriced.
thanks for you comments all

[gnoahhh]

Good idea. For that money you can get two nice shooters.