What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? - The Firearms Forum

Hanwei · 04-17-2008, 07:39 PM

Hello Experts!

This is my first post here. I've found a Colt Detective Special .38, New in box, never fired, 99.99% condition if not 100%. Comes with original box. And I'm almost ready to snatch it up!

What is this worth?

I've seen used ones go start at ~$350 and NIB ones up at $699. I'm just wondering what I should expect to pay for one in 100% condition, NIB.

Also, Can you indulge me and tell me what generation Detective Special it is? Maybe also a date of birth? I understand that there are 4 generations. And how do you tell?

Thank you all very much in advance! I appreciate all of the information you guys are willing to share.

I'm the kind of person that likes to know exactly what I'm getting before getting it.

A photo is below.

Hanwei

22WRF · 04-17-2008, 09:41 PM

Looks like a 3rd issue mfg 73-86
Blue book $450 but to me worth more

Hanwei · 04-17-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22WRF

Looks like a 3rd issue mfg 73-86
Blue book $450 but to me worth more

So... maybe $550 tops? More? Less?

Thanks for your info!

Hanwei

22WRF · 04-18-2008, 08:17 AM

I would say less than $500.
I lightened the pic looks like a couple of rust spots on the cylinder and the screw slot over the trigger looks buggered.

Don't think it's 99% but then I'm just looking a pic

Hanwei · 04-18-2008, 06:40 PM

Thanks again! Yeah, the picture is not so great, as there are plenty of fingerprints and smudges to try and see through.

I thought those might look like rust spots as well but then again, it could just be a reflection from the indoor lighting (depending on the camera's white balance).

I'll be checking the gun out this coming week and will definitely give it a thorough check. Especially the screws.

I'll put up an update here once I've seen it. Thanks!

Hanwei

Xracer · 04-19-2008, 07:22 AM

Hi Hanwei......welcome to TFF.

For what it's worth, here's the current Blue Book value:

Detective Special (Third Issue):

100% - $450
98% - $425
95% - $400
90% - $300

Add $50 for nickel.

Hanwei · 04-19-2008, 11:44 PM

Thanks!

So... is Blue Book value telling me what it should sell for in a private sale? Or does it tell me what a dealer would use as consideration to estimate a trade in value or sale value?

What I'm trying to get at is this... If the same (similar condition) gun is being sold at an average price of $575 across the country (on the internet and stores) then I usually assume that that is the current market value of the gun. I've also been told by 2 avid collectors/shooters that the gun is worth between $525-$625. In my mind this just further validates my research in ascertaining a current market value.

But then there's the Blue Book value. Which sometimes tends to be a bit lower than "market" value. Does this mean that in those instances when market value is higher than blue book value... people are simply overpaying for the gun? Or does it mean that sometimes the blue book value is just a base point of reference, ie: the minimum current value? ...and that the actual market value could potentially be higher?

I hope that all makes sense.

Anyway... all everyone keeps telling me is that the value of this gun will only increase as time goes on... so I may snag it after all, if anything, to be a safe queen/collectors piece.

Thanks for your info!

Hanwei

Xracer · 04-20-2008, 06:58 AM

Well, here's what the Blue Book says on it's prices......

"The pieces listed in this 28th Edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values are based on national average retail prices for both modern and antique firearms......"

A lot of people think that Blue Book prices are a bit low (expecially if they're trying to sell a gun).....and, in the case of some collector firearms, the prices of certain guns is climbing so rapidly the the prices in the BB are outdated quickly (look at the prices of unmolested GI M1911s & A1s), but in general, they seem pretty good to me.

The only real way to judge the value of a gun is "what a buyer will pay for it".

Go to the gun auction sites and look at the completed auctions and see what guns like yours have sold for recently. That's the true market value.

Hanwei · 04-20-2008, 09:13 PM

Thanks Xracer!

Terry_P · 04-20-2008, 09:30 PM

With the Blue Book at average you probably can expect to pay more in the Northeast and certainly more in Mass. Good luck with it I had a chance several years ago to buy one just like that one but passed on it. I own a couple of Ruger snubbies and they are excellent but the Det Special is a classic.

Hanwei · 04-21-2008, 01:31 AM

Thanks Terry...

It looks like we're meeting up on Thursday for the visual inspection and exchange. So if everything looks good with the gun, I will be posting photos of it for you guys to see when I get it home. I'll also share the final price I end up paying.

Thanks for everyone's input so far... if anyone has more to share... please share!

Hanwei

04-17-2008, 07:39 PM	#1
Hanwei Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 6	What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? Hello Experts! This is my first post here. I've found a Colt Detective Special .38, New in box, never fired, 99.99% condition if not 100%. Comes with original box. And I'm almost ready to snatch it up! What is this worth? I've seen used ones go start at ~$350 and NIB ones up at $699. I'm just wondering what I should expect to pay for one in 100% condition, NIB. Also, Can you indulge me and tell me what generation Detective Special it is? Maybe also a date of birth? I understand that there are 4 generations. And how do you tell? Thank you all very much in advance! I appreciate all of the information you guys are willing to share. I'm the kind of person that likes to know exactly what I'm getting before getting it. A photo is below. Hanwei --> Last edited by Hanwei; 04-17-2008 at 07:42 PM..

04-17-2008, 09:41 PM	#2
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,269	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? Looks like a 3rd issue mfg 73-86 Blue book $450 but to me worth more __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

04-18-2008, 08:17 AM	#4
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,269	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? I would say less than $500. I lightened the pic looks like a couple of rust spots on the cylinder and the screw slot over the trigger looks buggered. Don't think it's 99% but then I'm just looking a pic __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

04-18-2008, 06:40 PM	#5
Hanwei Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 6	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? Thanks again! Yeah, the picture is not so great, as there are plenty of fingerprints and smudges to try and see through. I thought those might look like rust spots as well but then again, it could just be a reflection from the indoor lighting (depending on the camera's white balance). I'll be checking the gun out this coming week and will definitely give it a thorough check. Especially the screws. I'll put up an update here once I've seen it. Thanks! Hanwei

04-19-2008, 07:22 AM	#6
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? Hi Hanwei......welcome to TFF. For what it's worth, here's the current Blue Book value: Detective Special (Third Issue): 100% - $450 98% - $425 95% - $400 90% - $300 Add $50 for nickel.

04-19-2008, 11:44 PM	#7
Hanwei Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 6	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? Thanks! So... is Blue Book value telling me what it should sell for in a private sale? Or does it tell me what a dealer would use as consideration to estimate a trade in value or sale value? What I'm trying to get at is this... If the same (similar condition) gun is being sold at an average price of $575 across the country (on the internet and stores) then I usually assume that that is the current market value of the gun. I've also been told by 2 avid collectors/shooters that the gun is worth between $525-$625. In my mind this just further validates my research in ascertaining a current market value. But then there's the Blue Book value. Which sometimes tends to be a bit lower than "market" value. Does this mean that in those instances when market value is higher than blue book value... people are simply overpaying for the gun? Or does it mean that sometimes the blue book value is just a base point of reference, ie: the minimum current value? ...and that the actual market value could potentially be higher? I hope that all makes sense. Anyway... all everyone keeps telling me is that the value of this gun will only increase as time goes on... so I may snag it after all, if anything, to be a safe queen/collectors piece. Thanks for your info! Hanwei

04-20-2008, 06:58 AM	#8
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? Well, here's what the Blue Book says on it's prices...... "The pieces listed in this 28th Edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values are based on national average retail prices for both modern and antique firearms......" A lot of people think that Blue Book prices are a bit low (expecially if they're trying to sell a gun).....and, in the case of some collector firearms, the prices of certain guns is climbing so rapidly the the prices in the BB are outdated quickly (look at the prices of unmolested GI M1911s & A1s), but in general, they seem pretty good to me. The only real way to judge the value of a gun is "what a buyer will pay for it". Go to the gun auction sites and look at the completed auctions and see what guns like yours have sold for recently. That's the true market value.

04-20-2008, 09:13 PM	#9
Hanwei Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 6	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? Thanks Xracer!

04-20-2008, 09:30 PM	#10
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? With the Blue Book at average you probably can expect to pay more in the Northeast and certainly more in Mass. Good luck with it I had a chance several years ago to buy one just like that one but passed on it. I own a couple of Ruger snubbies and they are excellent but the Det Special is a classic. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

04-21-2008, 01:31 AM	#11
Hanwei Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 6	Re: What's this Colt Detective Special Worth? Thanks Terry... It looks like we're meeting up on Thursday for the visual inspection and exchange. So if everything looks good with the gun, I will be posting photos of it for you guys to see when I get it home. I'll also share the final price I end up paying. Thanks for everyone's input so far... if anyone has more to share... please share! Hanwei