In my most recent edition of Firearm Digest Leroy Thompson, one of our members here, authored an article on a Border Patrol Colt New Service. I found it to be well written , as usual for him, and my question to our group is does anyone have any idea as to value on these revolvers? I did a search and could not find anything.
Colt Border Patrol New Service
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Too many factors are in play for a generic answer.
Are these guns marked or in any other way clearly identifiable? What time period? How many were made? These pertain to the model as such. Agency guns are always a collector niche market if there is nothing unusual about them that adds value over a standard specimen.
And then there are the gun-specific issues, like originality and condition.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Okay, answered my questions with a bit of digging.
500-600 made, 1940s/50s. USIBP rollmark on the backstrap. There seem to be very few in the collector market, because they were not officially surplused out, so there aren't a lot of prices to be found. In one discussion from 2005, the asking price of $1400 for a nice original specimen was considered fair, and anything under $1000 a good deal.
500-600 made, 1940s/50s. USIBP rollmark on the backstrap. There seem to be very few in the collector market, because they were not officially surplused out, so there aren't a lot of prices to be found. In one discussion from 2005, the asking price of $1400 for a nice original specimen was considered fair, and anything under $1000 a good deal.
HardToHandle
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Great article, as usual. Thanks to Leroy for sharing his expertise.
The pre-68 GCA opening in the article stuck with me. My mind was expanded.
The pre-68 GCA opening in the article stuck with me. My mind was expanded.
Pig Hunter
Member
If the front sight is bent it might be one of the ones Col. Askins sighted in.
Leroy Thompson
Member
Thanks for the comments on the article. I have looked for one of the Border Patrol New Service revolvers for years and have only seen a couple for sale. Those that turn up are usually in rough condition as is mine. There weren't many of them and I don't what happened to them. Earlier ones I've seen do show the bent front sight.
The NMSP carried Colt New Service in 45 Colt from 1935 until the early 1950s. Those guns mostly were not specially marked; the only original I've seen is in the NM DPS HQ display.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I handled one at a gun shop in Twin Falls around 2006. It was the standard USIBP marked 4" .38 Special, unmolested from its original configuration. I had read Charlie Askins personally sighted all of these guns in, and had bent the front sights if needed, as noted above. This one must have shot to Charlie's satisfaction as it was unbent.
The gun shop owner knew what it was and wanted a grand for it, if I remember right. I didn't have the cash, so I brought in some trade bait. I had a Colt New Frontier .45, a Winchester Model 52, and a no-dash Model 19 on his counter, and he was still shaking his head. In a rare moment of gun-buying clarity I came to my senses, gathered up my guns, and went home.
I love Colt New Services, I love .38 Specials, and I got a kick out of Askin's book, but I'm glad I passed. Of course, all the guns I mentioned above have since been traded off anyway for something else I had to have.
I think the example I saw would go for $1500 to $2000 or so nowadays.
The gun shop owner knew what it was and wanted a grand for it, if I remember right. I didn't have the cash, so I brought in some trade bait. I had a Colt New Frontier .45, a Winchester Model 52, and a no-dash Model 19 on his counter, and he was still shaking his head. In a rare moment of gun-buying clarity I came to my senses, gathered up my guns, and went home.
I love Colt New Services, I love .38 Specials, and I got a kick out of Askin's book, but I'm glad I passed. Of course, all the guns I mentioned above have since been traded off anyway for something else I had to have.
I think the example I saw would go for $1500 to $2000 or so nowadays.
Askins was fond of his Colts- esp when he was with BP (and that modified Rem Model 11 scattergun).
Leroy Thompson
Member
As far as I have found, there were at least two batches of the Border Patrol New Service .38 Specials. The earliest batch, Charlie Askins personally zeroed each one by bending the front sights. This was not the case on the later batch. I've owned two from the later batch and neither had bent sights. I was offered one of the first batch for $5,000 but felt that was a bit much.
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
There's no reason to bend the sights when two lead babbitts are all that's necessary to adjust the barrel. I learned that little trick at S&W Armorers School.
Maybe the technique wasn't known back then. The instructor at S&W said they don't advertise it because of fears Bubba will screw up guns and blame them.
Maybe the technique wasn't known back then. The instructor at S&W said they don't advertise it because of fears Bubba will screw up guns and blame them.
I'm curious…
Mr. Thompson
Were the Colt New Service's that shipped to USBP marked in any way ?
Here is my USBP Heavy Barrel Official Police. Lettered as one of the 400 shipment.
I would really love to find one of the NS USBP guns
I do recall reading somewhere Bill Jordan was displeased to discover his front sight to his newly issued NS was bent.
Mr. Thompson
Were the Colt New Service's that shipped to USBP marked in any way ?
Here is my USBP Heavy Barrel Official Police. Lettered as one of the 400 shipment.
I would really love to find one of the NS USBP guns
I do recall reading somewhere Bill Jordan was displeased to discover his front sight to his newly issued NS was bent.
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SnidelyWhiplash
Member
That is a super Border Patrol revolver! Very rare and desirable.
There actually about 420 made…plus or minus. 400 went to the Border Patrol and some for special purposes. Maybe ten years ago or thereabouts one surfaced for auction. The family of the original owner…can't remember exactly but he was a Sheriff or warden or something along those lines…in New Mexico or Arizona. The gun was NIB and brought about $20k on Gunbroker. Many thought if it had been on a better auction site and advertised it would have brought much more.
You're very fortunate to own that revolver. Major league kudos to you.
There actually about 420 made…plus or minus. 400 went to the Border Patrol and some for special purposes. Maybe ten years ago or thereabouts one surfaced for auction. The family of the original owner…can't remember exactly but he was a Sheriff or warden or something along those lines…in New Mexico or Arizona. The gun was NIB and brought about $20k on Gunbroker. Many thought if it had been on a better auction site and advertised it would have brought much more.
You're very fortunate to own that revolver. Major league kudos to you.
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IIRC one was gifted to a retiring sector chief of the USBP a long time ago. Employees at lower grades were never given them and retiring agents couldn't even buy their carry revolvers when the changeover to semi-autos in the 90's happened. I remember one fellow who carried his (retired USBP) father's model 19 on duty and wanted to keep it. He was flat turned down and had to surrender it.
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
During the '90s President Clinton signed an Executive Order stating all agencies that issued firearms (under the Executive Branch) were forbidden to sell them, gift them or trade them in in an effort to keep such firearms from entering the commercial market. Agencies could trade and transfer between one another but that was it. Whether subsequent Presidents have kept that policy in force I don't know.
One agency I worked for had a number of very collectible Colt Commando revolvers, some Winchester Model 12 shotguns and a few other odd items. When that agency transitioned from S&W Model 64 revolvers to Sig 9mm pistols…all those older firearms in inventory went to the furnace for destruction. Such a waste of taxpayer money.
If someone was forbidden to keep possession of his father's service revolver…the agency had no choice but to deny it.
One agency I worked for had a number of very collectible Colt Commando revolvers, some Winchester Model 12 shotguns and a few other odd items. When that agency transitioned from S&W Model 64 revolvers to Sig 9mm pistols…all those older firearms in inventory went to the furnace for destruction. Such a waste of taxpayer money.
If someone was forbidden to keep possession of his father's service revolver…the agency had no choice but to deny it.
Good info. But so frustrating 
Leroy Thompson
Member
To answer about markings they had the USIBP marking on the back strap and a rack number on the butt. I have a lot of photos from the article on the BP NSs for FIREARMS NEWS, but can't pull them in. Unfortunately, that article has not been posted to the FN website.
Does anyone have a list of confirmed USBP issued Colt New Service models? I have seen guns with ground out back straps that may fit the configuration of these guns. I recall seeing a nickel plated NS with 4" barrel in 38 special caliber, with lanyard loop but No provenance and that grounded backstrap area.
So now I'm wondering if this may have been one of those BP guns?
So now I'm wondering if this may have been one of those BP guns?
Good question T44
I've seen a few NS and OP w ground or polished down grip straps. There's a review on YT (I can't find it now) but the reviewer is showing an Official Police w 4" barrel. It has the normal OP barrel profile and the gun has USBP stamped on grip strap too.
I suspect BP was not alone in trying to remove dept markings. Sadly.
Colt letters are more costly but may be worth rolling the dice.
I've seen a few NS and OP w ground or polished down grip straps. There's a review on YT (I can't find it now) but the reviewer is showing an Official Police w 4" barrel. It has the normal OP barrel profile and the gun has USBP stamped on grip strap too.
I suspect BP was not alone in trying to remove dept markings. Sadly.
Colt letters are more costly but may be worth rolling the dice.
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