spacecoast
New member
Shooting the 1900 Colt makes about as much sense as taking two rolls of silver quarters down to Walmart to buy a jumbo box of .22s.
can anyone give me a hand on what I have here
- Thread starter oldsalt
- Start date
Shooting the 1900 Colt makes about as much sense as taking two rolls of silver quarters down to Walmart to buy a jumbo box of .22s.
Bless you Mr. Irwin! To many forget that firearms like any other hobby are to be fun, and what is the fun in owning something you are afraid to use.
As for Mr. March's comments this forum is a GREAT place for solid general information, but in the case of a specific and rare weapon it is always best to get the advise of a specialist.
Oldsalt, you may want to post your auto at one of the Colt forums.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Oh, I disagree, Old Bear.
There are some things of which I am a true collector, primarily post cards depicting where I went to college.
Some of them are well over 100 years old, and I strive to obtain ones that are in the best possible shape - pristine, if I can find them. Some of them have considerable value, approaching three figures, which isn't bad for a picture on a piece of stiff pasteboard.
I get a great deal of enjoyment from just having them and looking at them. I would get substantially less joy from them were I to write a quick message on the back of one, slap a stamp on it, and drop it in the mail to a friend.
For some, the joy in a gun collection is found in the most pristine and factory new condition guns that they can find.
I have no argument with that at all. I even know a couple of true gun collectors like that.
They've learned to frisk me for "random" ammunition before letting me near their guns.
There are some things of which I am a true collector, primarily post cards depicting where I went to college.
Some of them are well over 100 years old, and I strive to obtain ones that are in the best possible shape - pristine, if I can find them. Some of them have considerable value, approaching three figures, which isn't bad for a picture on a piece of stiff pasteboard.
I get a great deal of enjoyment from just having them and looking at them. I would get substantially less joy from them were I to write a quick message on the back of one, slap a stamp on it, and drop it in the mail to a friend.
For some, the joy in a gun collection is found in the most pristine and factory new condition guns that they can find.
I have no argument with that at all. I even know a couple of true gun collectors like that.
They've learned to frisk me for "random" ammunition before letting me near their guns.
I'm very happy that there are people who want to own and cherish guns that should never be shot.
I am not one of those people. I've often said, if by some miracle I were to inherit, say, Adolf's personal Luger, I would sell it. I would NOT shoot it first.
I care nothing for being the caretaker of a relic, I want nice older guns that still work. That doesn't mean I care nothing for the value intrinsic in them, it would be foolish to destroy the value.
That's why I don't like advice to drill old Winchesters for scopes. Why would you not just get a newer rifle and leave the old one alone?
I am not one of those people. I've often said, if by some miracle I were to inherit, say, Adolf's personal Luger, I would sell it. I would NOT shoot it first.
I care nothing for being the caretaker of a relic, I want nice older guns that still work. That doesn't mean I care nothing for the value intrinsic in them, it would be foolish to destroy the value.
That's why I don't like advice to drill old Winchesters for scopes. Why would you not just get a newer rifle and leave the old one alone?
While the advice not to shoot the M1900 Colt is probably sound, I have to wonder if there's any reason why one could not simply load very, very mild .38 ACP-level handloads in .38 Super cases and shoot a magazine or two. I have this pathological aversion to owning a gun that I don't shoot at least once and I'd be tempted to do the above in that Colt.
dreamweaver
New member
well, i'm just happy that i wasn't totally out of my mind with the $$ estimate. honestly all i saw was a run of the mill 1900 (if such an animal exists). i know absolutely nothing about rear sight safety guns, so i've learned something here, again!
i'm more the 1903 kind of "collector" as far as $$ goes.
i'm more the 1903 kind of "collector" as far as $$ goes.
Mr. Irwin, I respect your opinion, and with the example of your postcards you are totally correct, as once used a postcard can’t be returned to as new condition or even reused. Unlike a postcard a firearm was designed to be used again and again with out damage.
I do respect the right of the owners of firearms or anything else to use them or not as they please, yet I for one think it is wrong not to use a product that will not be harmed by it’s proper use.
I do respect the right of the owners of firearms or anything else to use them or not as they please, yet I for one think it is wrong not to use a product that will not be harmed by it’s proper use.
Mike Irwin
Staff
"Unlike a postcard a firearm was designed to be used again and again with out damage."
Except for the fact that every time you use a firearm you're wearing on it - essentially damaging its most prominent aspect, it's exterior. You're wearing the bluing, you're putting draglines on the cylinders, rubs on the slides, bolts, and stocks, etc.
In high-end firearms, condition is everything.
The difference between a 100% gun and a 99% gun, which most of us can't even detect, can be hundreds, or thousands of dollars.
Firearms aren't necessarily just tools, they can be works of art - fine art, industrial design art, etc. - and more than a few people treat them as such.
I have no problem with that, or if someone wants to collect a gun for its more ethereal values. Just because something is designed to be functional doesn't mean that it MUST be functioned.
Except for the fact that every time you use a firearm you're wearing on it - essentially damaging its most prominent aspect, it's exterior. You're wearing the bluing, you're putting draglines on the cylinders, rubs on the slides, bolts, and stocks, etc.
In high-end firearms, condition is everything.
The difference between a 100% gun and a 99% gun, which most of us can't even detect, can be hundreds, or thousands of dollars.
Firearms aren't necessarily just tools, they can be works of art - fine art, industrial design art, etc. - and more than a few people treat them as such.
I have no problem with that, or if someone wants to collect a gun for its more ethereal values. Just because something is designed to be functional doesn't mean that it MUST be functioned.
youngunz4life
New member
Mike, I don't doubt you but hear me out. Doesn't the weapon become worth more once proven fireable and has the backup, authenticity and/or appraisal paperwork? Could he get record of like a 2-shot firing of 38acp or shoot it twice with the buyer with 38acp or can someone document its fireable without shooting it? It is worth more if fireable, right or is that a myth?
No. There's essentially no value to knowing that a gun that you never intend to fire for fear of devaluing it considerably has recently been demonstrated to be fully functional.
To the extent that it actually might be worth more "fireable" that box can be checked by validating that it has all the parts and they are all in functional condition. I can't imagine a collector holding up a purchase (or attempting to negotiate a lower value) on a collector grade firearm based on the fact that it hasn't been fired to demonstrate that it's proven fireable.
Neither can a firearm from the standpoint of a collector. A reconditioned firearm in perfect condition is typically worth far less to a collector than a firearm in poor but ORIGINAL condition.
You can buy factory .38acp ammunition. I am quite sure it is not even loaded to original .38acp specs, the report is very mild and slide action is leisurely.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/11948
I shoot a magazine or two through my 1st model Colt Pocket Hammer (mfg. 1907) semi-regularly. It is a joy to fire. While it is not nearly as valuable as the OP's t-square Colt due to condition problems and its generally more common nature, I have to say that firing a piece of history of this sort is greatly entertaining.
Here is my thread dealing with my Pocket Hammer, and my decision to go ahead and fire it:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391129&highlight=colt
I'm not saying the OP should fire that wonderful Colt, but if he were to do so I would understand. Particularly if the gun is an inheritance from a relative, or there are otherwise no plans to ever part with it.
boatmonkey82
Moderator
only on pawn stars .
Ill give you more if the blunder buss will fire . yea right you go right aheadyoungunz4life
New member
well, if its worth more unfired then it stays unfired if I am selling it or going to sell it. If it is more sentimental and I don't plan on selling it, I might(stress might after consultation) fire it twice and then not again. Thats just me though. Unfortunately I already know there are no firearms coming my way through inheritance. There are none that I know of.
Mike (and several others) has it right - from a collector's stand point. The value of a collectable gun is all about condition AND ORIGINALITY. These old Colt Autos are notorious for cracking the slide at the slide lock. Once a slide is cracked, it no longer has the condition to warrant a huge value. If it is reapired (or replaced), it is also not original. On a high end gun, a scratch (rub, wear, etc.) that removes just 1% of condition can also remove thousands in value. In most cases, it is just not worth the risk. Both condition and originality are critical to high end gun values.
A shooter will say something like 'cars aren't made for garages, and guns weren't made for safes'. These guns have survived 90 -100 years or more, and they are robust. MOST times, shooting a gun SHOULD have no appreciable affect on the condition or originality of a gun... but the risk is still there. A shooter will typically value the gun as a shooter, not a collectable.
Ultimately, the 'shoot or not' decision is purely the gun owners. It is their gun, and they will do with it as they wish. As long as they are aware of the potential problems, they are making an informed decision.
A shooter will say something like 'cars aren't made for garages, and guns weren't made for safes'. These guns have survived 90 -100 years or more, and they are robust. MOST times, shooting a gun SHOULD have no appreciable affect on the condition or originality of a gun... but the risk is still there. A shooter will typically value the gun as a shooter, not a collectable.
Ultimately, the 'shoot or not' decision is purely the gun owners. It is their gun, and they will do with it as they wish. As long as they are aware of the potential problems, they are making an informed decision.
Hmmmmm... then what eactly should that little block of metal be called under the slide near the muzzle? You know, that little piece of metal that LOCKS the SLIDE in place? The (apparently mythical) little piece of metal that keeps the slide from smacking the shooter in the face when the pistol is shot?
Colt has been calling this little piece of metal a "SLIDE LOCK" since they published assembly instructions in 1900. Have they been wrong for all these years?
Check the following link... it is to ColtAutos web site where they have scanned the assembly instructions. Specifically, part #13 on the parts list. The password to open is "coltautos.com", and is on the coltautos.com web site. http://www.coltautos.com/pdf/Colt1900.pdf
IF you meant to say that these pistols do not have a slide stop - which would hold the slide open on newer Colt Autos, you would be correct.
The cutout on the slide for the slide lock has square corners. It is from these corners that the cracks typically propogate.
Sorry, I was in a foul mood and terminology got the better of me. I had only previously heard that part referred to as the "key", and I happen to think the flying slide problem is greatly blown out of proportion when the proper ammunition is used in these guns, nearly to the point of it being a myth.
Whatever you do-DO NOT LEAVE THOSE GUNS WITH SOMEONE ELSE to find the value.
You possess some classic American handgun history there.
It needs to be stored just like it was before you got them too.
Not handled by alot of people with greasy hands.
Just the oil in a person's skin could destroy the finishes on some of those classics.
And DON'T take five hundred from some jerk for the whole lot.
Frankly,I'd tell as few people as necessary that I had them.
That's enough classic American steel to make your house a break in target.
You possess some classic American handgun history there.
It needs to be stored just like it was before you got them too.
Not handled by alot of people with greasy hands.
Just the oil in a person's skin could destroy the finishes on some of those classics.
And DON'T take five hundred from some jerk for the whole lot.
Frankly,I'd tell as few people as necessary that I had them.
That's enough classic American steel to make your house a break in target.
To all the replys
Thanks guys for all the info. My grandfather gave these to me. The old 1900 Colt although you cant see to much by the picture is in great ORIGNAL condition.
I saw a colector gun shop selling a 1900 Colt with out safety sight for 13,999.00$ and the picture of the barrel looks pretty rusted so I plan on oiling mine and wrapping it and putting it in my fire safe till the day come!!!
I really like the 586 its a sweet shooting gun.
I saw the 38/44 HD sold for $1999.00 on a bid site. Guess its going in the safe to.
Thank you for all your help. Oh by the way my grandfather had a Civil war rifle in gr8 shape.Shot it on New Years if I remember. But my Uncle took it when he died darn.
Oldsalt
Thanks guys for all the info. My grandfather gave these to me. The old 1900 Colt although you cant see to much by the picture is in great ORIGNAL condition.
I saw a colector gun shop selling a 1900 Colt with out safety sight for 13,999.00$ and the picture of the barrel looks pretty rusted so I plan on oiling mine and wrapping it and putting it in my fire safe till the day come!!!
I really like the 586 its a sweet shooting gun.
I saw the 38/44 HD sold for $1999.00 on a bid site. Guess its going in the safe to.
Thank you for all your help. Oh by the way my grandfather had a Civil war rifle in gr8 shape.Shot it on New Years if I remember. But my Uncle took it when he died darn.
Oldsalt