What is a 1903 Colt worth?

vintage_camaro_hunter

What ballpark range is a 1903 colt w/hammer .38 worth? It is a very very nice piece, i would say bluing is 96-98 percent, it has the original paperwork, and box. However the box is worn out but all there. The bore is immaculate. Any ballpark prices??? Thanks

CapnMidnight

Pictures, we gotta have pictures, good, close, clear pictures, very detailed pictures. Your 95% might not be Blue Book 95%. Your old Colt could be worth anywhere from 750 to $5,000 it's all about condition and originalty.
For what it's worth.
W.D.

perry shooter

For what it is worth one Blue book 98% with box = could be worth $2000 BUT is yours early model with round hammer or later spur hammer. In looking at your user name . I suspect you would not want to value a vintage CAMARO with the same type information you are giving us on your pistol . You Need detailed pictures in focus and close up and then the real collector that would pay that high $$ price would want to inspect the pistol . gun collectors are MORE picky then CAMARO collectors . Welcome to GUN-BROKER

CAN YOU SAY Barret Jackson a clone is not worth 50% of an original all numbers matching I think the term is COBO special order special GM parts car like ones sold by Nicky's I think in Chicago same thing goes with firearms.

MY suggestion is to sell here for top dollar on GUNBROKER but WITH OUT RESERVE a pistol like you 1903 will have many bidders and it will bring top dollar However most of the high end buyers dont even look at items with a reserve because of the auto relist[:(!] there are thousands of over priced items that have been relisted every week for over a year trying to catch a sucker.[V][xx(][:(!][:(] True collectors dont waste their time.

nmyers

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=342776&SearchTerms=colt,1908

Neal

vintage_camaro_hunter

Hey thanks for the responses. I will be posting pictures within the next week. I wasn't looking for a exact value, I was looking for a ballpark. I was asked by a family member to auction a small group of old guns and am trying to get a range of what these firearms are worth before I put them up at auction. I understand pictures are needed and I will post some. I deal in classic cars so I need some help in this department. As far as gun collectors being more picky than Camaro collectors????? I can assure you that before somebody plunks down $35,000.00 to $100,000.00 on their Camaro or or collector car investment we are picky as well. Thanks again guys. Kevin

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by vintage_camaro_hunter
As far as gun collectors being more picky than Camaro collectors????? I can assure you that before somebody plunks down $35,000.00 to $100,000.00 on their Camaro or or collector car investment we are picky as well. Thanks again guys. Kevin


Hello Kevin,

I can positively assure you that Antique Winchester and Colt collectors are extremely thorough (detailed knit pickers) when it comes to their passion. There are many parallels between Antique firearms collecting and Classic Auto collecting, but there is way more $$$$$$ involved in antique fireams.

Just recently, an authentic Colt Walker sold for $920,000[:0]. I have seen (and handled) a number of original Henry and Winchester rifles that would start out at $200,000 on an opening bid, and go for 2-3 times that amount. I have had the great please of holding in my hands several different Winchester One of One Thousand Rifles... minimum value of $350,000 per[:p].

rhmc24

You asked for ballpark --- If the blue is original intense Colt blue and unblemished but for worn off along sharp edges it will probably grade in the 90s percent-wise. The docs and box are a plus. The Hammer Model .38 Rimless Smokeless 1903 Colt in 90% condition likely will bid up around $1500, if offered on GB auction without reserve - as perry suggests.

The smaller the missing blue area, closer to 100% makes a big difference in grading and value. As others have said, the more info, the better the detail, the more reliable will be the ability of this forum to do good judgment of its value.

vintage_camaro_hunter

Hey everybody thanks againfor the info and help. I plan on listing no reserve auctions. I will get some pictures soon and let you guys see them so you can give me some more input. I will also get some info and pics on the other guns that I will be listing. I know one is a Winchester model 12 16gauge, and there are a couple of I think they were Winchester model 38/40 and 38/42 rifles {with Octagon barrells) I am not certain on the 38/42 model number but it sure seems like thats what I seen. I dont remember what the other Pistol number was. However like I said I will have all the info and pics in the next couple of days. hey Perry the Nicky cars and Yenko, Berger cars were all COPO (central order production office) cars are up in the $750,00.00 last time one traded hands. As far as Barrett Jackson goes they have ruined the market for a buyer. As for a seller it has increased our profits, but cars are decreasing with the economy. Thanks again Kevin

Bert H.

There is no such thing as a Model "38/40" or a Model "38/42".

The "38/40" (a.k.a. 38 W.C.F.) is a cartridge designation, but the various Winchester Rifles and Carbines that were factory chambered for it, were all marked "38 W.C.F." versus "38/40".

There was no "38/42" cartridge, but Winchester did make a 38-72 W.C.F. (for the Model 1895 lever-action only).