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Old 09-23-2020, 09:28 PM
Double-O-Dave Double-O-Dave is offline
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Default Need help - Colt DS value

Good evening:

I need help here. I'm trying to slim my gun collection of firearms my survivors won't have any interest in, and I could use some help in establishing a fair sale price for my 1981, 3rd Variation, Colt Detective Special (DS). I bought the piece several years ago for cheap as a winter project. It came completely disassembled in a plastic bag with a bag full of pieces. The gun shop that sold it to me said if it was missing any parts, or if it didn't work after I assembled it that I could return it for a full refund. It was a fun project and there were no missing or extra parts once I was done.

There is nothing wrong with the piece. It shoots well but lives in the gun safe as my EDC consists of S&W J-frames, and my field (woods) gun is a Ruger Security Six.

I'm thinking this is a good shooter-grade revolver, and I would welcome the advice and wisdom of those more familiar with the Colt DS market in setting a fair sales price.

Thank you.

Regards,

Dave
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File Type: jpg Colt DS Right.jpg (70.5 KB, 144 views)
File Type: jpg Colt DS Cylinder 1.jpg (57.9 KB, 119 views)
File Type: jpg Colt DS Left Barrel.jpg (68.5 KB, 105 views)
File Type: jpg Colt DS Rear.jpg (53.7 KB, 95 views)
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  #2  
Old 09-23-2020, 10:38 PM
Loyaljeeper Loyaljeeper is offline
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I say around $500 in today’s market.
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Old 09-23-2020, 11:22 PM
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The 3rd Issue DS is my favorite snubby. No way I'd ever sell mine.
I checked GB and prices are all over the map. Anywhere from $500 to $1500. In the last couple of years many seem to think that just having that pony on the side means big bucks. I say not necessarily.
Around here that gun would probably sell for about $650.
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Old 09-23-2020, 11:24 PM
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$500 - 550. The older exposed ejector rod models will bring more.
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Old 09-24-2020, 12:18 AM
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To me, the earlier DSs are far more desirable. I just can't warm up to the more recent models with the barrel shroud. But to answer your valuation question, I'd say retail on it would be in the $500-$600 range normally. No idea what it might be today what with the buying panic and all.
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Old 09-24-2020, 01:06 AM
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I’d say 6 bills, maybe a little more.
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Old 09-24-2020, 09:52 PM
Double-O-Dave Double-O-Dave is offline
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Thanks to all who have responded thus far. Frankly, I always thought the 3rd edition of the Colt DS was Colt's entry into the 20th century. I appreciate your sale prices - I had figured around $550.00 - $650.00 would be both fair as well as reasonable. As mentioned in my original post, I'm not really wanting to sell the piece, but I'm trying to thin the herd so my surviving family members won't have to deal with this once I've passed.

I am surprised that only 5 people have offered their opinion thus far. I could use as much intelligence on a fair and reasonable sales price as possible.

Thanks,

Dave
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Old 09-25-2020, 12:55 AM
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I paid $650 for mine but that was here in Australia.
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Old 09-25-2020, 07:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Double-O-Dave View Post
Thanks to all who have responded thus far. Frankly, I always thought the 3rd edition of the Colt DS was Colt's entry into the 20th century. I appreciate your sale prices - I had figured around $550.00 - $650.00 would be both fair as well as reasonable. As mentioned in my original post, I'm not really wanting to sell the piece, but I'm trying to thin the herd so my surviving family members won't have to deal with this once I've passed.

I am surprised that only 5 people have offered their opinion thus far. I could use as much intelligence on a fair and reasonable sales price as possible.

Thanks,

Dave
Well you got good honest numbers and after all this is a S&W forum.
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Old 09-25-2020, 07:57 AM
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500.00 for a 3rd gen DS shooter seems about right to me. With the demand for concealable handguns like we have currently though, it could go much higher. You could probably get 650 pretty easily if you threw in a box of ammo.
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Old 09-25-2020, 08:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Double-O-Dave View Post
I had figured around $550.00 - $650.00 would be both fair as well as reasonable.
I would say you've nailed it. The big numbers come on GB when you've got the whole original package... pristine perfect gun, original factory box and paperwork. No box caps you off at about $700.00 on a really good day. More typically, your range ($550-$650) for the gun with nothing else should be achievable.
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Old 09-27-2020, 10:24 PM
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Many thanks to all who have responded. I apologize for my delay in recognizing your responses, but I'm battling illness, so again, my apologies.

I wish I had taken the time to take "Before" photos - this was definitely a "basket case" to start with. I can't find the receipt, but I don't think I paid more than $200.00 for it to begin with. With a guaranteed refund in place, I figured I had nothing to lose. I never could find the out about the back story of the piece. My bet is the gun store took it in on a trade and had very little money in it. It was a very fun winter project, and gave me a good understanding of the differences between the Colt and S&W small frame revolvers. I'm still amazed at how Colt can squeeze 6 rounds in the cylinder in a package that is very close to a J-frame size.

I think I'm going to be a little selfish and hold on to the Colt for now. I don't carry or use it, but it costs me nothing to sit in the gun safe except for the times when I fondle it.

Again, y'all, many thanks for your help and advice.

Best regards,

Dave
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Old 09-28-2020, 03:30 AM
Loyaljeeper Loyaljeeper is offline
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I have already replied $500. I do want to share my experience. About two years ago, my step-sister was given a bunch of Colts from her grandfather who wanted to free up some money. The agreement was I could have my pick of them for a very reasonable price if I wanted them. I didn’t want them but I did want to help. I took three D frames to a gunshow and didn’t get much for offers. Colt collectors are the worst about wanting pristine all original pieces. I had about two dozen people ask about them. The nickel 69 Cobra had some flaking on the top strap but was otherwise perfect. The 69 DS had some buggered up screws, but it like the Cobra, had never been fired. The other DS had been a carry gun for years and even had a newer shrouded barrel on it; it was the only one without original grips. I thought the were worth $700, $600, and $450. Believe it or not, everybody wanted the rebarreled DS and not the two almost perfect but never fired pieces. Once they saw the imperfections they were only interested in a rough carry piece for cheap. I sold the well worn DS for about $400. I carried the two unfired pieces home and sold them to a family friend months later for less than $1k.

If they had been NIB with box I could have sold them ten times for $1k each. Everybody wanted NIB no matter what price or a cheap shooter grade.
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Old 09-28-2020, 11:14 AM
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Anyone care to throw out a number on this cosmetically challenged but mechanically sound DS from the mid 50's? How common is the hammer shroud?
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Old 09-28-2020, 02:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefdave View Post
Anyone care to throw out a number on this cosmetically challenged but mechanically sound DS from the mid 50's? How common is the hammer shroud?
Well its a real Colt shroud. From what I have been told that can add about a $100 to the price of the gun. For me to give a price I would want to handle and examine that gun due to its appearance.
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Old 09-28-2020, 05:53 PM
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How common is a shroud? I really don't know, but I have seen only a few of them, certainly not everyday items. Jack Ruby had a hammer shroud on his Colt Cobra, but I doubt that it made the Cobra worth any more.
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Old 09-28-2020, 08:29 PM
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In my neck of the woods, $500 - $575.
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