Help ID revolver - Colt .44 Magnum?

Jorge

Sorry gents, no pictures.

Several weeks ago, my friend showed me a revolver which he was considering selling. Such was given to him ten years earlier by a friend whom had inherited it from his late father.

It was a double action six shot revolver. I'd say, the long and thin barrel, sights, and exposed extractor rod (no shroud) were reminiscent of a 1917 Colt New Service Model. Finish was nickel plate (pretty bad shape - peppered with rust), grips in pearl imitation - cracked. One could barely make the markings (refinished perhaps?). The left side of the barrel read the words "Colt" and "44 Magnum", and (possibly) "25". Partially visible was the prancing pony design on the side plate. The cylinder turned smoothly, and definitely did chamber .44 Magnum rounds.

What was it? Any collector value? How much could it be worth? Blue book and internet review shows nothing even remotely similar. Would someone please shed some light on this subject?

Thanks.

R/

Dr. D.

ruger41

Colt did not make a .44 Magnum until the 1990's with the Anaconda which is discontinued. The only thing I would think it is would be a test revolver that Colt maybe made years ago and it got out of the factory-or maybe it is a custom made barrel fitted to a New Service. I definately would NOT shoot .44 Mag loads in that gun. If it truly is a old piece that was an experimental gun it could have collector appeal-with a letter.

Jorge

Thank you very much Erik for your response:

quote:Originally posted by ruger41

Colt did not make a .44 Magnum until the 1990's with the Anaconda which is discontinued.




That much I knew: Colt didn't market .44 Magnums until the early 90's. However, the gun in question is definitely not an Anaconda. What's most intriguing is that the barrel is marked with the words "Colt" and "44 Magnum", and the side plate sports the Colt logo.

How would one obtain - and how much would it cost - an authentication letter from the Colt factory?

Thanx.

Old-Colts

quote:Originally posted by Polite Psycho
How would one obtain - and how much would it cost - an authentication letter from the Colt factory?Regarding a Colt Letter, you would need to determine the model of your gun and have the complete serial number. Here is a link to Colt's Archive Services. From there you can get to the list of available services and the price list, which is from 2005, but as of late last year these prices were still good. Prices are high and depending on the actual model of the gun call in services are available at a premium.

http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/historical.asp

scrubberguy

PP;
I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that your pistol is a "Custom" from the 1950's. The 1917 was one of a bunch of pistols made in the 1900's. I can list new service, 1909, shooting master, the list goes on. A very favorite cartridge of the day was 44 special.

WE all know the story of Elmer Kieth and "souped up" 44 specials in the colt single actions and smith N frame guns.

Many of us also remember the fact that Smith & Wesson couldn't keep up with demand for 3 decades after it's introduction!

I suspect you'll find your 1917 Colt is just that with a 44 special cylinder reamed out to take the magnum cartridge! I think it would have been done to take advantage of a market that needed to be filled?

The Barrel markings would have to have been changed when it was rechambered. Who Knows it may even have a custom made cylinder although I never heard or read of anyone doing that to the old large frame Colt's but I will be the first to admit I haven't been everywhere in my life.

So do the letter from Colt and see what they say. Who Knows it may be a "one off" that got out of the factory. Stranger things have happened. BY the way I read that a 41 magnum Python was produced in the tool room, only one, and it's stashed in the Colt vaults. Not feasible to produce you know. So things like that did happen at Colt.

So let us know what you find out were all interested.[8D]