Gold Colt Detective Special-value&qty.???
Hey buckaroos! it's me again trying to find out the value & quantity produced for a Colt Detective Special(3rd issue) completely gold plated in 6-shot cylinder .38 special cal. with 2"bbl.(left side of barrel marked "Detective Spec." below marked ".38 Special ctg." Also has brown checkered walnut grips without Colt medallions. Purchased new in 1992,came with maroon factory box which says gold in small letters, also has all paperwork & a solid walnut vevet lined square case with old style key.SN# is 17xxxR. Any information appreciated!!![8D][8D][8D][8D]
gunner8479
gunner8479
0
-
Putting a price on a low volume - possibly unique - gun is quite difficult. The problem is that you can't SHOOT a gun like that; after all, the gold is only a few microns thick. So, it's only appeal will be to those who just like LOOKING at pretty guns. The only way to determine how much it is worth is to list it on an auction & see how much is bid for it.
I'd be surprised if it would sell for anywhere near what it cost originally.
Neal0 -
Surprisingly, I picked up the piece for approximately $799.00. Also it has been test fired by Colt at the Custom Shop Factory(came with test target)I have seen gold plated firearms fetch between $1,500.00 and up,what I'm really interested in is a good ballpark figure & qty. produced(especially).
gunner84790 -
If this gun is a "Factory Commemorative" of some sort, the paperwork with the gun, (you state it has that), most always makes it clear what the gun represents. That information would be helpful in determining the "Model" name applied to this gun.
Colt made "special runs" of guns, especially during the 90's for various corporatle entities and some individuals. This type of gun would be typical of such a run. Most of these were used as "Presentation Guns" for rewarding employees for special accomplishments, such as in the case of Real Estate sales, etc. Most have some sort of marking on them to make a statement of some sort. Yours should be marked also. It wouldn't serve much of a purpose to simply apply a "gold finish" to a regular "stock model" without denoting its purpose. If you let us know the "Model" or what the paperwork, especially that with the Display case, it can be more narrowed down as to origin. Without such identification, it sounds as if someone may have plated a standard model for personal purposes.
If someone had the Colt "Custom Shop" plate a gun in gold for a personal reason, then this gun would be worth what any other similar Detective Special sold at the same time would be worth, with the exception of what an interested Buyer may consider a premium for whatever reason. If aftermarket plated, you would be looking at the gun as a gun with "diminished value" because of that.
The only way you can be sure of this gun's value and purpose if it has no information in its paperwork, would be to get a "Historical Letter" from the Factory detailing the gun. However, the cost of the letter may be just an additional investment which CANNOT be recovered. These "late" commemorative issues and their cousins bring little if any premium over a regular Model. From a Collector standpoint, a Gold Plated Detective Special with no other incentives, would be worth the same as a Nickel, Stainless, or Blue gun of the same vintage, and in this Model's case, a value of $450 to $550 would be consistent with other guns known to have recently sold. Good Luck! Hope this helps.
Contrary to what you may have been told, "Green Jello is a Side Dish, NOT Dessert!"0 -
Goshdarn, I sure do wish that the info was provided on paper,case, or factory box. If it was, then I wouldn't of inquired. I am aware of the Historical Letter which is available from the factory. I was just trying my luck here with you guys. Anyhow the information from Paul & Neal does indicate where I stand. Thanks for the interesting info & your time.[:)]
gunner84790
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
4 comments