Colt Diamondback .38 cal.value

[BAM-BAM]

Thirty years ago I made one of life's big decisions; Smith & Wesson or Colt.
Give me a S&W K,L,N or J frame any day.....size, grip,action, trigger.....

But like most of us I've had a number of Colt's pass through my hands over the years....... Other than a couple of my Father's guns... they are all gone except one..

One of my "gun shop saves" about 10 years ago is a Blue, Colt Diamondback w/ a 4" barrel in .38special.... no box or docs...... this gun is as new in box (98-99%).... not sure it was ever fired outside the factory.

To me it's a coooool looking paperweight that I will never shoot or carry...

I only remember I have it about once every 2 years....Saturday was one of those days. Well my thoughts turned to turning it into something useful like a S&W.

Not having seen one for sale in years..... Pythons yes; Diamondbacks no!
I searched the net for prices and ....OMG... I knew Pythons were crazy but Diamondback's took me by surprise..... at least the asking prices did!!!

Knowing that everything posted on the net is true..... I thought I'd turn to some "people" I respect for their opinion...LOL

So my question is; if your were to turn to the "Dark Side" what would you consider a "fair" price for a Colt as described above?

Sorry no pics

 

[diamonback68]

The 4" blue is the most common of all Diamondbacks, but still should be worth $1000-1200 without box and docs depending on examined condition.

 

[arjay]

Diamondbacks have really jumped in price the last few years,but I haven't kept track. $1500?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

My last like new 76 diamondback costs me about $1400 with the original box. Nice shooter to me so I could park my original 76 Diamondback and not shoot it anymore.

 

[A10]

Give ya twenny bucks......

 

[Dennis The B]

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a nickel 4" Diamondback, that had freckling under the nickel, and the guy was firm @ 1200.

Prices for Diamondbacks are where Pythons were just 2 years ago.

And to think, I picked up a 1981 model, 4" blue, four years ago, and thought I overpaid @ $450.

 

[kaaskop49]

What amazes me is how folks tear into the Python from every angle and at every opportunity. Yet no one criticizes the Diamondback which, as a dressed-up DS/PPS, is nowhere near he gun the Python is. I won't go into the inflated prices...

 

[george minze]

Diamondback looks somewhat like a 3/4 size Python however the resemblance ends there.......Not the same slick action by a long shot . (Pardon the Pun).......The price represents the going price...If buying to shoot ,a small heads up {The trigger of a Colt Diamondback must be allowed to return to full extension before a follow up round is fired) Many had problems with rapid fire exercises until they got used to complete return of trigger) Actually a nice little revolver.....Looks like a 3/4 size Python but it is not in the same category, for finish and action. Like many discontinued models they bring what somebody will pay.

 

[cussedemgun]

Just my $.02

That little horsie pic on the side is about 1/3 the price,

the fact of "discontinued production" raises the price another 1/3, &

it fits my hand, I can point & shoot much closer with the diamondback than with any other short gun I have ever shot, past or present. I think it is the grip angle that makes it point like my finger. It is my chosen PD gun, especially in the dark.

 

[george minze]

Great little gun, I agree on the grip angle, I had a 4" back when they first came out.......Small but neat, very neat......One more gun Cold discontinued for some reason .........I guess they had a reason?

 

[woodsltc]

One of my regrets looking back was trading a 98% 4" Diamondback .22LR for a NIB S&W 17-4 in an even swap.........if I only knew then what I know now!!!

At the time (mid 80's) it was a good trade. Little did anyone know that the Diamondback's would be discontionued shortly after that and their prices skyrocket. I still have the 17-4 and it's very accurate as you would guess, but I still wish I'd kept the Colt.

Don

 

[kaaskop49]

Try this one on...

Glad there are Diamondback fans. Just goes to show, for every Jack, there's a Jill!

When I bought my first Smith, a Model 67, the only other 4" .38 the LGS had was a nickel Diamondback. I've put over 18,000 rounds (before I stopped keeping track) through my 67, the only problem being a loose cylinder latch nut and loose sight screws. No re-timing, no nothing. I wonder if that Diamondback would have handled all those rounds without problem or repair.

 

[H Richard]

I sold a 98% one with box & docs for $1300 last summer. I didn't realize they had gotten that high, but it went on Gunbroker.

 

[george minze]

Glad there are Diamondback fans. Just goes to show, for every Jack, there's a Jill!

When I bought my first Smith, a Model 67, the only other 4" .38 the LGS had was a nickel Diamondback. I've put over 18,000 rounds (before I stopped keeping track) through my 67, the only problem being a loose cylinder latch nut and loose sight screws. No re-timing, no nothing. I wonder if that Diamondback would have handled all those rounds without problem or repair.

That is an excellent question. My guess that the 38special would have not. Only due to that many rounds. I never thought the crane was quite what a S&W was, plus if I remember and it has been a long time ago the Diamondback was a little lighter revolver..Even the K frame Smith was noticeable stouter in make up than the Diamondback. They remained popular in Detectives as one could carry a 4" with out it pulling your pants down with a dress belt..Also the DB carried 6 vs. the J frame smith's 5 round and snub barrel. The DB did have a lot of sex appeal for lack of a better word. So many of those remaining are not used in a service mode any more and have become safe queen's...I think the 2" stayed as off duty guns a lot ,longer than the 4"...Lets face it they were a neat looking snub nose as snub nosed revolvers go, Target sights, Python styled barrel, nice grips, 6 shot, and neat looking....I think more accurate than a regular snub nose S&W....Guesstament!!

 

[diamonback68]

A year or so back I sold a 2 1/2", a 4" and a 6" all in .38Spl as a set, the 4" was the only one with the box and docs, for $3200 and thought it was fair at the time. Wish I had them back now.

 

[wundudnee]

At Tulsa last fall I saw several in that range of condition marked at $1,995.00. Of course that was only asking price. I haad one in excellent shape last year that I had picked up several years ago for $275.00. I gave it to my daughter, now I am wondering if I really like her that much.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Well, I can bring some facts to the table on if your Diamondback could hand a measly 18,000 rounds. I did not have problems till around 40,000 rounds.

Mine now has 47,320 rounds documented and I am just now starting to retire it which is why I bought the replacement.

Yes it has had repairs.
Round 41,149 I broke the spring for the hand and cylinder and it needed to be replaced local smith did it.
Round 42,819 started misfiring. Sent to colt, retimeed, replaced hand rebound lever and latch bushing.
Round 45,184 bolt head screw broke off, back to Colt, Retimed, replaced both head screw cleaned and returned.


For the first 20 odd years of its life it shot only 5 grns of Unique with a 158. This is now considered a +P load but back in the 70's it was a standard book max load. It worked well for years. It was not until like 1997 I ever tried anything other than Unique and quickly went back to it.