Need info....On A Colt .32 Automatic Pistol

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gm991

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Hi
Dad just gave me a Colt .32 Automatic here is the link to the colt web site to show you what it is.

http://www.coltautos.com/pdf/Colt1903ph.pdf
password to open: coltautos.com

Its in good working order
What do you guys think its worth? Is it something I should have refurbed and make it a safe queen or just use it as is....:)

Thanks
 
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That is a Colt Model M 1908 in .380 (also called the Pocket Hammerless model). You can probably find more information here:

http://www.coltautos.com/

Judging it's value is very difficult without seeing the condition and knowing some other information about it. How many mags do you have? Original box and paperwork? Things like this can add some value to an older pistol.

edited to add:

"Generally", collectors and other internet experts advise not refinishing an older pistol/revolver if they are still in good working order. However this advice is more for those who want to maintain the history and the value of an older firearm instead of maintaing a working firearm. You have to decide what is more important to you.
 
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Does it have black hard rubber grips or wood? I assume it`s blued? Any idea of what % of original finish remaining?( holster wear,scratches, rust/pitting?) nice box? Are mag`s "two-tone"(blued on bottom&not on top) If in nice shape@80-90%, I`d guess$750.00-!K w/ box. DONT refinish, PLEASE! Can you post pix?
 
walta44 said:
Does it have black hard rubber grips or wood? I assume it`s blued? Any idea of what % of original finish remaining?( holster wear,scratches, rust/pitting?) nice box? Are mag`s "two-tone"(blued on bottom&not on top) If in nice shape@80-90%, I`d guess$750.00-!K w/ box. DONT refinish, PLEASE! Can you post pix?
Click to expand...

LOL
we won't refinish it promise..
I will take a closer look at it and post what I see.
Just picked it up from his house last night.
 
Seeing as you've posted about it on a public forum, I'm going to assume that you'll file the FA-10 to CYA...
 
One other thing to keep in mind. My FFL, who used to work at Colt, said that many gunsmiths will not work on these pistols because the spare parts are gone. So be careful with it.
 
I inherited my grandfather's 1908. Unless the gun is a particular low serial # in mint original condition, it really doesn't have much collector value (at least mine doesn't). As mine doesn't have any real value I'm seriously considering re-bluing it.
 
The Colt M pocket hammerless is a neat little gun. Value with the box and mags could be around $500 depending on condition. If you aren't a collector, or looking to sell the gun and keep it as a remembrance of your Dad, I'd consider having the gun re-done.

As long as you're not refinishing a historical collectors piece, you won't destroy any value. I myself would like to refinish that kind of gun because they are just so nice when all cleaned up.

In fact, refinishing will probably lose value on the gun to a collector. Not only that, but it will cost you several hundred dollars to re-do the gun right.

If it were my fathers gun, or my grandfathers, the money wouldn't matter to me. I'd like it like new.

If economics is your main issue, it's usually foolish to refinish a gun you plan to sell. You can never get back what you put into it.

Edited to add: It's more a safe queen now, BEFORE you refinish it. Once it's re-done it isn't worth being a safe queen, it is however a beautiful shooter.
 
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depicts said:
The Colt M pocket hammerless is a neat little gun. Value with the box and mags could be around $500 depending on condition. If you aren't a collector, or looking to sell the gun and keep it as a remembrance of your Dad, I'd consider having the gun re-done.

As long as you're not refinishing a historical collectors piece, you won't destroy any value. I myself would like to refinish that kind of gun because they are just so nice when all cleaned up.

In fact, refinishing will probably lose value on the gun to a collector. Not only that, but it will cost you several hundred dollars to re-do the gun right.

If it were my fathers gun, or my grandfathers, the money wouldn't matter to me. I'd like it like new.

If economics is your main issue, it's usually foolish to refinish a gun you plan to sell. You can never get back what you put into it.

Edited to add: It's more a safe queen now, BEFORE you refinish it. Once it's re-done it isn't worth being a safe queen, it is however a beautiful shooter.
Click to expand...

He said it better than I did
 
Well I had some time to look at it and it'a a .32 cal.

Took some pictures of it anyone want to host them for me and post them on the thread??
From what I have found this gun was built between 1908-1909 from the serial number.

If soem one could PM me there e-mail I will send the pictures to you.

thanks
 
Here ya go, Gary.

GM991_colt01.jpg


GM991_colt04.jpg
 
Thanks for posting them.
Just heard back from a colt specialist and he values the gun between $1000-$1200.
He says it was made on 1908....:):):).
Looks pretty good for 100....LOL...thats lint on there, wiped it down before I took the pic...;)
 
It sure would! But he only valued it at between $1K and $1.2K...

I have to say, though, that if MY dad had ever given me a gun, that I'd have to think long and hard even if someone offered me a million ($1000K) for it... and I'd probably turn it down.
 
That gun is in great shape. I don't think I'd do anything to it except clean and lube it. I'd fire it too, as it looks to be in good mechanical shape.

Something being "worth" $1000, and something "SELLING" for $1000 is a big stretch sometimes.

Nice gun. I'd keep it.
 
Gary, the more I think about this the more I want to say DO NOT SELL THIS!!!

Someday your dad will be gone (may it be far in the future!), and you will only have memories and the things he gave you. An item CAN have two values - strictly monetary, AND it's emotional value.

I have a Bulova Accutron that was my dad's. My instructor (who taught me watch repair) urged me repeatedly to get rid of it while it was still working. (Parts are no longer available for the Accutron). He frequently said, "Your father wasn't sentimental about it; why are you?". My answer then and now is, "Because DAD bought it at a garage sale and fixed it up. It didn't mean anything to him. To me, that watch was my DAD'S - therefore it has GREAT meaning." It's emotional value to me is far greater than the several hundred dollars a Spaceview Accutron in good shape would bring.

Keep the gun. Go shoot it with your dad. Enjoy his company every day you have him, and someday, when he's gone (and it happens to everyone - that's just part of life), shoot it and smile and remember him when you do. And when your son or daughter is old enough, take them shooting, tell them it's history, and when it's time, pass it down to the next generation.

OK, I'm off my soapbox now.
 

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