colt new service target

C

ctrmass

Inactive
How much is this worth?
ser # 328xxx (I think it was made in 1928)
It has a skeletonized hammer, checkered trigger, checkered front & back straps. Flat top and adjustable sights. I have no way to verify if it's a factory gun, all mods are done very cleanly & professionally, as to be factory. The grips are factory with the pony, but have been built up for larger hands. Grips are in v good cond.
It has a 7.5" bbl and is chambered in 44 spl/russian.
It retains AT LEAST 90% of the factory blueing, slight thinning at the muzzle.
I dont know if it's even a target model, the barrel says "New Service".:confused:
All the things I see on this pistol leads me to believe it's the target version.
I've NEVER SEEN a hammer like this one. Online or in person.
The action is smooth and the break is like the proverbial glass rod.
If it wasnt for the muzzle wear, it could pass for an unfired specimen.
It's that nice.
What's it worth?
BTW, I'm NOT selling it!:D
 
I'll see what I can do.

edit: I'm not very techie, this may not happen.

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I can't guess a dollar value but that is a very handsome New Service Target.
And the .44 Russian and Special version is a real treat.
But the hammer is NOT factory.
 
"But the hammer is NOT factory."

I don't think the trigger is either. It would be interesting to see the inside.

Jim
 
The hammer is not factory, the trigger is not as it left the factory, and the front strap and back strap checkering is not factory. Very nicely done, though. I used to have a New Service in 45 Colt, and it had very fine machine rolled checkering (maybe 36-40 lpi) down the back strap, but the front strap was smooth, and the front of the trigger was also checkered, only finer. The checkering tin the picture is neither fine, nor even.

My guess is that New Service Match could fetch over $2K from the right buyer.
 
I have a very dim recollection that someone at one time made hammers and triggers for Colts that had a second cam so they worked like the S&W lockwork. I knew one guy who did it, but he only did a couple, and I seem to recall that someone else advertised them.

Jim
 
Nothing you can do about the checkering on the gripstraps, but both hammer and trigger can be replaced.

It's a good bet that your gun was someone's pride and joy at one time. In days of yore, guns were purchased for a purpose, not "collecting," and I suspect the purpose for that gun was target shooting. It's a real beauty, and. although not original to the gun, the mods are so well done that I would not hesitate to have it in my collection.
 
Grandpa was a Marine Colonel, and heavily into bulls-eye shooting.
I suppose I should have expected it to be somewhat modified.
The trigger is finely checkered and I cant get a good pic of it.:(

OK, this is the deal.....


I bought this long ago from my Father in law for $350 iirc, and included in the deal was an 12g Ithaca NID with a cracked buttstock. And a Nydar sight. $350 was the price for the Colt and the Ithaca.
The Ithaca is about as nice a cond as this Colt except for the stock and a shabbily done repair on it. Both were from his grandfather's collection, and were "in the family" for several generations.
Forward 20-30 years....
My BIL wants to purchase/swap the Colt back.
Several years ago he mentioned a swap for an S&W mod 41 and a Colt snubby for this pistol.
I once agreed to this, and still would agree to this on my word, ONLY because it's his Grandfathers gun. I now have 1 child and she's mildly autistic. I do not know if she'll ever get to enjoy this sport/hobby. I'm 51 yo and she's 9. I may never know if I believe what my Dr's tell me. Anyway.....

The BIL...all of a sudden, recently, somehow believes the 41 is worth more than this.
The 41 is in good cond, but not nearly worth what he believes. There's nothing special about it, no rare variation etc, just a well shot model 41.
I believe his father bought it.

I have no idea why or how he came to the conclusion that trading his S&W 41 for this is a raw deal.
I'm guessing because maybe his grandpa maybe at one point told him the Colt cost him $25 in 1930?
And he, or his father bought,the 41 for maybe $300 in 1965-1970, so it's "worth more" ??? I dunno......

It don't really matter what it's worth, I'm not selling it for neither $300 or $3000. Believe me, I COULD use the money. I'm disabled, just dumped 12K + into the house which is still falling apart. I have no nest egg, and foresee a LOT of cat food on the menu in the future.
If I had the BIL's money (millionaire), I'd burn mine.....anyway.....

Do you think this is a fair deal taking into account it's history?
My wife tells me he (BIL) believes I payed 150 for the two, and wants to buy it back for that.:eek:

I believe I'm being fair in my end of the deal.
What do you think?
 
I don't know if it is a factory Target Model. If it's not, a very talented smith did an excellent job on installing the sights. The hammer is modified. Old trick to shorten the lock time by lightening the hammer for a faster throw.

I don't know what the monetary value may be, but if my BiL wanted HIS grandfather's revolver back I would give it to him. If you can't afford to give it away ask for your $350 back. Forget about trying to put a value on trade items. At least 99% participants in trades can't agree on what the other guy's piece of junk is worth compared to his piece of gold.
 
I try not to get into Internet Firearms Appraisal for guns I am not trying to buy or sell, but you need some help. Your brother in law is trying to gyp you.

It doesn't matter what a gun sold for in 1930 or yesterday, what matters is its current value. The nearest thing I could find that actually sold on Gunbroker was $1780. It is unaltered and maybe in better condition than yours but it is a standard model, not target. Compare at http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=515387226

Some are higher, some are lower; $500 to $3500 depending on rarity and condition.

The M41 + snubby trade would be a reasonable deal in the family.
$150 is not. $350 is not. Not even close.
 
"I don't know what the monetary value may be, but if my BiL wanted HIS grandfather's revolver back I would give it to him. If you can't afford to give it away ask for your $350 back. "

It was my wifes grandfather too.
There's a LOT more to this soap opera, I've delved way too deep into personal laundry already......
Problem being, he wouldn't be satisfied & happy even @ $350.....:confused:




"Never sell a used car to a relative. "

BTDT too, they (not this guy...other in laws) usually promptly wrap it around a telephone pole and that's the end of that.:o
Or flip it, & make some quick bank.:(
 
But not YOUR grandfather.

My opinions on all things are based on my experiences. I have seen relatives fight and squabble over money and over objects. I think this is something to avoided at nearly any cost. If my brother in law wanted it as a memento I would give it to him. Unless he was a real mutant who caused nothing but trouble in which case I would tell him to go relieve himself up a rope. I don't know what your relationship is like with your inlaws. You do what you think is best.

PS: If you really need the money that much have it professionally appraised and ask that much for it. Might be worth $1K, maybe $5K. Or $10K. I have absolutely no idea. If BiL won't pay appraisal price then sell it elsewhere. But be prepared for hard feelings from at least one and maybe more inlaws.
 
If I'm not mistaken, New Service Target Models came from the factory, or had as a factory option, that checkering pattern on the front and rear straps. Triggers also had the same checkering pattern on the face.

You can see that same checkering pattern in a NST for sale here: http://poulinantiques.hibid.com/lot/9611114/colt-new-service-target-model-da-revolver-/

The rear sight is a Colt standard for the NST.

I've never seen one with a skeletonized hammer, but it could also be a factory option.

That gun, as it sits, is worth a LOT more than a stock Model 41.
 
Yes, I googled around and found that checkering pattern on the backstrap of several New Service Targets.
The trigger checkering doesn't show on the one here, can't know if it were factory or aftermarket finer/sharper.

Nothing about the hammer showing above the frame looks stock. The checkering is rough, uneven, and in the white.
 
Just to reiterate what has been said already, what you paid for it years ago has nothing to do with it's current value. If your BIL wants it that bad, he should be prepared to pay the going rate.

I like the idea of having it appraised BY A PROFESSINAL APPRAISER. Do not rely on Joe Blow the counterman at your local gun store.

I have been screwed by family before and I don't agree with the attitude that you should just bend over because you are related to someone. I spent eight years avoiding family gatherings due to conflicts with other family members. To this day I don't regret it.
 
My Officers Model Target from 1909 has checkering on the trigger, hammer and cylinder release. Can't recall if on grip frame as the 1950s target stocks covers it, but probably is. My 1931 OMT lacks the checkering and instead has grooves. Somewhere between 1909 and 1931 they changed.
 
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