A Model 3 American and a 44 DA

[Ando]

Hey Smith and Wessoners,
A friend recently passed away at the young age of 57 and in his collection of over 100 guns these two pistols were found.

Am I correct in assuming that these are a Model 3 American and a 44 DA?
Serial numbers are 31062 and 23673 respectively.

Both guns have some external pitting, but substantial finish remaining. The model 3 has a pitted bore in the first inch or so, with the rest good, and the 44 DA has a good bore throughout. Both actions feel pretty solid to my untrained hands.
Unfortunately both guns will have to be sold along with the rest of the collection for the benefit of the widow and family, so any comments on fair value or date of manufacture or overall conditions would be appreciated.

Is there anything else I should be taking a picture of?

 

[Ando]

Hey Smith and Wessoners,
A friend recently passed away at the young age of 57 and in his collection of over 100 guns these two pistols were found.

Am I correct in assuming that these are a Model 3 American and a 44 DA?
Serial numbers are 31062 and 23673 respectively.

Both guns have some external pitting, but substantial finish remaining. The model 3 has a pitted bore in the first inch or so, with the rest good, and the 44 DA has a good bore throughout. Both actions feel pretty solid to my untrained hands.
Unfortunately both guns will have to be sold along with the rest of the collection for the benefit of the widow and family, so any comments on fair value or date of manufacture or overall conditions would be appreciated.

Is there anything else I should be taking a picture of?

 

[Camster]

First, welcome to the forum,and secondly,my condolences for the loss of your friend-I am always moved when folks of about my own age,pass away.
Though I am not knowledgeable enough to evaluate the guns,this is the place for an honest appraisal,as well as being the best marketplace.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am not qualified to appraise their dollar value, but that is what you have.
The American is a late gun, sn 31062 out of 32800 at the end of production in 1874.

The DA is about the middle of the serial number range. I would check it for cylinder length (1 9/16" is less common than 1 7/16".)

 

[Ando]

Thanks for your kind thoughts and replies.
The cylinder in the 44 DA is indeed the 1 7/16. Also, the serial number on the frame of the American is 31062, but the cylinder and top latch are both marked 1179. Would that indicate that the American has two distinctly different parents? Or was there some sort of batch numbering that was going on?

Would an auction site like Armsbid.com be a good place to sell these?

I don't know how these things come to me, but another friend's elderly father-in-law pasted away, and in his affects there was a military Colt 1911 from 1914! Only about 20-30% finish remaining, but with all original correct parts and barrel. I spent a week telling him how cool his "worthless junk" was until I realized it could have been my worthless junk. Oh well. It would be bad Karma to try to scoop a gun under circumstances like that.

 

[mmaher94087]

Ando, look under the right stock (grip)for assembly #1179. The serial number only appears on the butt. The frame, barrel and cylinder should have the assembly number. Mike

 

[opoefc]

As Mike says, the 1179 is an assembly number, not a serial number. The gun is correct as being in original condition - no strange parentages. Based on recent auction sales, I would estimate the value of the American, at auction, to be aaround $4,000 and the .44 DA model to be $750 to $900. The entire collection should be auctioned by a competent auction house, to get the best returns for the widow. A 100 gun collection can negotiate it's own special commission rate, and other benefits, if a knowledgable gun person is doing the contacts with the auction house. (Do not use Rock Island without an iron clad contract as to who writes the gun descriptions, does the photos, and does not allow combinations of guns into one lot, etc.) Same concept goes for most other auction house also. Check with other recent owners of auctioned item to see how fast they got paid, etc. Auctions can be a disaster for the uninformed seller. Caveat vendor.

 

[Ando]

Thanks to all for taking the time to look and reply.

 

[dan_uk]

Ando - I am interested in your DA, so if you haven't sold it my email is [email protected]

 

[barnside]

What is the best guess as to when the 44 DA left the factory?

 

[MikeyL]

I'm with Opoefc on the pricing. Locational variables exist, of course, but his evaluation is just about right on, in my opinion. I recently picked up a 44 DA similar to that one for $850, but it wasn't quite as nice. I'd be interested in the Model 3; you can e-mail me at [email protected] if that appeals to you.

MikeyL