JonB
Halcyon member
A newly acquainted friend asks me, "you know about guns and stuff right?"
I start a long detailed explanation of my experience with shooting.
He cuts me off, and asks, "I have a 45 and a 44 that have been in my shed for many years, do you want to check them out for me? to see if they are safe to shoot?".
I say, "sure".
A few days later he shows up with a duffle bag with two holstered revolvers.
one is a German made 357mag SA revolver marked "Arminius", but it's exactly like the EAA bounty hunter. It was in a moldy/mildewy leather holster, two inches of the outer barrel (near muzzle) was rusted up good. The rest of the gun looked good, real nice case colors on the frame ...Oh, it's missing the firing pin.
The other gun is why I am taking the time to post.
It's a Colt New Service in 44 spl.
The good news is the internals seem very good mechanically, smooth action, tight cylinder, tight lockup, good rifling, the throats are a bit large at .433 to .434
The bad...the bluing is real flaky and bad on one side, fair condition on other side, the wood grips are chipped on the bottom...But worst of all someone tried to scratchout the caliber stamping on the barrel and the colt emblem under the wood grips. Who would do that?
I did some searching, the serial number put it at 1920 mfg. There are two of these on gunbroker with buy it now ($1150, and $1350), but they were in real nice condition. 44 spl is kind of rare in these, I thought a nice one would be worth more? I mean the python's bring stupid high prices ($2k+) ...why doesn't one of these? Anyone here have an idea what this one with poor exterior condition would be worth? I'm guessing $600 to $700. My friend asked me to find a value.
Disclaimer: This gun isn't for sale, to me or anyone else.
Stock photo borrowed from Hallowell & Co, sourced from a google search
Stock photo borrowed from Hallowell & Co, sourced from a google search
I start a long detailed explanation of my experience with shooting.
He cuts me off, and asks, "I have a 45 and a 44 that have been in my shed for many years, do you want to check them out for me? to see if they are safe to shoot?".
I say, "sure".
A few days later he shows up with a duffle bag with two holstered revolvers.
one is a German made 357mag SA revolver marked "Arminius", but it's exactly like the EAA bounty hunter. It was in a moldy/mildewy leather holster, two inches of the outer barrel (near muzzle) was rusted up good. The rest of the gun looked good, real nice case colors on the frame ...Oh, it's missing the firing pin.
The other gun is why I am taking the time to post.
It's a Colt New Service in 44 spl.
The good news is the internals seem very good mechanically, smooth action, tight cylinder, tight lockup, good rifling, the throats are a bit large at .433 to .434
The bad...the bluing is real flaky and bad on one side, fair condition on other side, the wood grips are chipped on the bottom...But worst of all someone tried to scratchout the caliber stamping on the barrel and the colt emblem under the wood grips. Who would do that?
I did some searching, the serial number put it at 1920 mfg. There are two of these on gunbroker with buy it now ($1150, and $1350), but they were in real nice condition. 44 spl is kind of rare in these, I thought a nice one would be worth more? I mean the python's bring stupid high prices ($2k+) ...why doesn't one of these? Anyone here have an idea what this one with poor exterior condition would be worth? I'm guessing $600 to $700. My friend asked me to find a value.
Disclaimer: This gun isn't for sale, to me or anyone else.
Stock photo borrowed from Hallowell & Co, sourced from a google search
Stock photo borrowed from Hallowell & Co, sourced from a google search