Hello guys I live in a fairly remote area in New Mexico. I have been looking for a small .38 special like a model 36 for my collection. I mainly have k frame and n frame smiths. The last gunshow I missed a few 27-2s that other people bought before the show. Usually it's newer plastic guns .22 rifles and jewelry. This time I was there early today. I ran around the tables looking saw a couple colt diamondbacks .38 specials in 4in. One was 1100 and the other was 1600. I had cash in my pocket and was at the last table. There in the case was a lil 37 no dash flat latch. The diamonds were on it priced at 425$. I asked the old guy if I could see it and he said go right ahead. I opened the cyl looks clean. The barrel flawless clean. The gun was carried has some marks. I'm not been lucky finding flawless collector guns I find shooters that are clean. I walked around and went back and bought it. Did I do bad on it? The serial is 307xxx. Any idea on date of manufacture? I appreciate it.
Gun show find.
- Thread starter bdblk12v
- Start date
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That diamondback for $1100 sounds pretty good. 
I don't own any colts. My grandpa when I was a kid had a diamondback in 22. I shot it some, it loved sticking the cases in it. You almost had to carry a hammer to beat them out. I almost bought the one for 1100$. The problem is I'm 31 and buying my first home with my wife and 2 kids. I don't think it would have been a good move to spend that much right now.
Congratulations.
As far as a date:
SCSW states:
1962: 295000
1969: 786544
There's a large gap between 1962 and 1969.
Diamond grips were deleted in 1968.
Logically the date range would narrow down to 1962-1968 and serial # 307xxx would logically place it closer to the lower end of the date range, maybe about 1963?
I'd say you did somewhere between a fair deal and a fairly good deal at $425 as described.
As far as a date:
SCSW states:
1962: 295000
1969: 786544
There's a large gap between 1962 and 1969.
Diamond grips were deleted in 1968.
Logically the date range would narrow down to 1962-1968 and serial # 307xxx would logically place it closer to the lower end of the date range, maybe about 1963?
I'd say you did somewhere between a fair deal and a fairly good deal at $425 as described.
Tom_R
Member
I think you did well.
Sure the Diamondback would have been nice, but getting a house in the near term is a great goal.
There will be some cool guns in your future after you can save up some more for your house and get settled in.
Thanks for the reply. I was hoping somewhere close to that. He has a big brother 29-2 4in to keep him company. I have no intentions on selling it. I have a weird thing that I have been buying older smiths for my kids when they get older to see what craftsman made. Men who cared what they did not assembly line numbers. I hope soon to test her out. I checked the frame very very close no cracks at all. That's for the help.
Well, I'm sure that we would all like to see some photos!!! I think you did really good. And I too plan to leave as many fine firearms for my kids and grandkids as I can. And although I own some plastic guns, I totally agree with you on the craftsmanship of the past.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
Finds at the last of the tables can be good finds.
I switch home protection guns often. The 41mg is up next.
I switch home protection guns often. The 41mg is up next.
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