Colt MK IV Series 70 45 ACP US Customs Special Agent - The Firearms Forum

dmoze1 · 03-13-2007, 04:26 PM

I recently Purchase a Colt MK IV Series 70 45 ACP US Customs Special Agent USC 256. Serial number 74746B70. It has gold engraving on each side of slide. Picture is attached, sorry my camera phone was all I had to take the picture

It was a collectors gun never been fired except for maybe a test fire. Complete with colt wood storage box blue velvet lining. Great condition

I was wondering if you could tell me what is it worth. Paid $650

Can you tell me a little more about the history of this gun and date the factory made it

Tuttle · 03-13-2007, 05:17 PM

For a series 70 shooter in that condition you paid the going price.

As far as its collector value I have no idea but if it is anything at all over a shooter then you got a bargain.

Xracer · 03-16-2007, 09:12 AM

Hi dmoze1......welcome to TFF.

Well, first off, DON'T SHOOT IT! If you paid $650 for a New-In-Box Mk.IV Series 70 Government Model, you sure didn't hurt yourself!

Can't really tell from your photo if it's Blue or Nickel Plated, but the Blue Book value is:

Blue Finish in 100% condition - $1018

Nickel Finish in 100% condition - $1,100

My serialization list only goes up to 1978, but serial #s with a B70 suffex were made between 1979 and 1981.

Series 70s in high condition are among the most desireable of the modern Colt 1911s, and their value seems to be climbing at a faster rate than most other non-military 1911s. I'd advise you to keep it in the condition it's in and hang on to it. It can only go up in value.

Now, what's it worth?..........Hard to say. The values above are for "Plain Jane" Model 70's. Yours is obviously a "presentation piece". That can make it more valuable, but at the same time, a bit more difficult to sell. Engraved and personalized presentation pistols are pretty much a niche market......so I really can't give you a value beyond the Blue Book value above.

History? Your guess is as good as mine. I suspect it was presented to a Customs Agent at retirement time.....but who knows? You could get a Colt Historical Letter to find out how it left the factory ( http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/historical.asp ) but they're quite pricey, and I doubt if the gold plating and engraving was a "factory job".

In any case, you got a helluva bargain.....keep it and enjoy it!

dmoze1 · 03-23-2007, 10:48 AM

Thanks for information now I know I have to put this away in closet.

I appreciate your reply Xracer.

Thanks

Darrol

berto64 · 03-23-2007, 06:51 PM

Think I'd stick it in the gun safe myself.

03-13-2007, 04:26 PM	#1
dmoze1 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Elk Ridge, UT Posts: 2	Colt MK IV Series 70 45 ACP US Customs Special Agent I recently Purchase a Colt MK IV Series 70 45 ACP US Customs Special Agent USC 256. Serial number 74746B70. It has gold engraving on each side of slide. Picture is attached, sorry my camera phone was all I had to take the picture It was a collectors gun never been fired except for maybe a test fire. Complete with colt wood storage box blue velvet lining. Great condition I was wondering if you could tell me what is it worth. Paid $650 Can you tell me a little more about the history of this gun and date the factory made it Attached Images -->

03-13-2007, 05:17 PM	#2
Tuttle V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lewisville Texas Posts: 145	Re: Colt MK IV Series 70 45 ACP US Customs Special Agent For a series 70 shooter in that condition you paid the going price. As far as its collector value I have no idea but if it is anything at all over a shooter then you got a bargain. __________________ reply at your own risk

03-16-2007, 09:12 AM	#3
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Colt MK IV Series 70 45 ACP US Customs Special Agent Hi dmoze1......welcome to TFF. Well, first off, DON'T SHOOT IT! If you paid $650 for a New-In-Box Mk.IV Series 70 Government Model, you sure didn't hurt yourself! Can't really tell from your photo if it's Blue or Nickel Plated, but the Blue Book value is: Blue Finish in 100% condition - $1018 Nickel Finish in 100% condition - $1,100 My serialization list only goes up to 1978, but serial #s with a B70 suffex were made between 1979 and 1981. Series 70s in high condition are among the most desireable of the modern Colt 1911s, and their value seems to be climbing at a faster rate than most other non-military 1911s. I'd advise you to keep it in the condition it's in and hang on to it. It can only go up in value. Now, what's it worth?..........Hard to say. The values above are for "Plain Jane" Model 70's. Yours is obviously a "presentation piece". That can make it more valuable, but at the same time, a bit more difficult to sell. Engraved and personalized presentation pistols are pretty much a niche market......so I really can't give you a value beyond the Blue Book value above. History? Your guess is as good as mine. I suspect it was presented to a Customs Agent at retirement time.....but who knows? You could get a Colt Historical Letter to find out how it left the factory ( http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/historical.asp ) but they're quite pricey, and I doubt if the gold plating and engraving was a "factory job". In any case, you got a helluva bargain.....keep it and enjoy it!

03-23-2007, 10:48 AM	#4
dmoze1 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Elk Ridge, UT Posts: 2	Re: Colt MK IV Series 70 45 ACP US Customs Special Agent Thanks for information now I know I have to put this away in closet. I appreciate your reply Xracer. Thanks Darrol

03-23-2007, 06:51 PM	#5
berto64 VMBB Admin Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Owyhee County, Idaho Contributor Posts: 7,388	Re: Colt MK IV Series 70 45 ACP US Customs Special Agent Think I'd stick it in the gun safe myself. __________________ Be who you are & say what you will, Those that matter won't mind and those that mind don't matter. I'm a bitter clinger, One Nation Under God.