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Colt .38 Police, SW 44 Russian Model

pmsander
I was given two revolvers and one single shot handgun. I have very limited info. I would like to know how much these might be worth if I were to try to sell them, if their worth anything. Any anditional information on these guns would be very helpful.

The first is a Colt .38 Police Positive special. I t has some rust but seems to be in good working order. The serial number is:180138.
The inscription says,"Colt's PT.F.A.MFG.CO. Hartford CT. U.S.A. Pat'd Aug 5,1884 June 5, 1900 July 4, 1905."

The Second is a S&W 44 Russian model. It has rust and can not be fired in its present condition. Its inscription has,"Smith & Wesson Sringfield Mass. U.S.A. Pat. July 10, 60 Jan. 17 Feb.17 July 11, 65 Aug. 24, 69 Russian Model". Its serial number is: 25343.

Last is a single shot. It looks similar to a derringer but not quite the same. Its action opens to the side. It looks like it's rimfire and is smaller than a 38 but bigger than a 22. It also has some rust but could be cleaned up to firing condition. Its inscription says,"Allen & Wheelock Worcester Mass."

Thanks for the help!
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • 22hipower
    There will be some experts along soon to comment I'm sure. If you can post detailed pictures that will assist greatly in determining what you have and their value. Welcome to the Forum.
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  • hrf
    quote:Originally posted by pmsander

    Last is a single shot. It looks similar to a derringer but not quite the same. Its action opens to the side. It looks like it's rimfire and is smaller than a 38 but bigger than a 22. It also has some rust but could be cleaned up to firing condition. Its inscription says,"Allen & Wheelock Worcester Mass."

    Thanks for the help!


    Allen & Wheelock made a half dozen variations of .32 rimfire single shot pistols marked as you list. Flayderman's Guide values for Good condition range $175 to $275, depending upon which variation, but if rusted would be less.

    Any cleaning should be limited to a light rubdown with 0000 steel wool and oil.
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  • hrf
    quote:Originally posted by pmsander


    The Second is a S&W 44 Russian model. It has rust and can not be fired in its present condition. Its inscription has,"Smith & Wesson Sringfield Mass. U.S.A. Pat. July 10, 60 Jan. 17 Feb.17 July 11, 65 Aug. 24, 69 Russian Model". Its serial number is: 25343.



    Your S&W Russian is apparently the 3rd Model and should have a 6-1/2" barrel and a spur on the trigger guard. Flayderman list value for Good condition as $875 but if rusted or altered will be less. They were also made in .44 rimfire, which are worth quite a bit more.
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  • cussedemgun
    pmsander,

    DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use steel wool on any gun. You will scrub off more value than cleaning could hope to add.

    Steel wool is an aid for dressing wood surfaces between coats of finish. For metal surfaces, use a soft cloth & gun oil ONLY! What will be left of the factory surface & finish can never be replaced. Your potential to more damage than good is real.

    Even a profesional refinish will reduce most collectable guns by at least half.

    Jim

    EDIT, We are talking about potentially very valuable antiques. There seems to exist a strong desire among new gun owners to start wrenching & cleaning. It is possible to KILL a large part of their value by too agressive of tactics. We're not talking about the low end hardware guns, real collector gun's restoration should be left to the profesionals.
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  • hrf
    quote:Originally posted by cussedemgun
    pmsander,

    DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use steel wool on any gun. You will scrub off more value than cleaning could hope to add.



    If they are as rusty as he implies, any original finish or patina is long gone, and I stressed light use of 0000 wool, which will not remove blue or patina unless great force is used.

    But, my "light" might the the next man's great force, so maybe bad advice, especially since no photos are shown to judge how far gone the two antiques listed are.
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  • Knifecollector
    Your Colt PPS is the 1st issue. It seems it was made in 1919. I'd say its worth in the $185- $200 range. They are a quality revolver, Colt made a bunch of them and they need to have all the original finish along with the box and paperwork to bring the big $$$$. $700 would not be out of line for one that was mint with box.
    Your Colt is C+R eligible, which means that you can auction it here on Gunbroker and ship it to someone that has a C+R license. That saves the buyer from having to go thru a dealer to have the ownership transferred and saves FFL fees.
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  • Herschel
    I must take issue with some advice given above about the use of steel wool. Years ago a good gunsmith told me to use 0000 steel wool on on oily metal to remove rust. He cautioned that dry steel wool on dry metal would remove the blue but the oil would allow the wool to remove the rust and not the blue. I have used that technique for 40+ years and have found it to be an effective way to remove rust without any damage to the blue.
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