Colt Official Police .38 info???

T

temeculabp

Inactive
Hello all,

I have never owned a gun before and was just given this to me from my Grandpa's estate. Gramps was a cop in Los Angeles. The barrel says "Colt Official Police .38". I have the serial # of the gun as well.

Along with the gun is a holster that is stamped "Safety Speed Holster"..."Montebello, CAL." Scared me to DEATH when I pushed on a spot on the holster near the trigger and the damn thing sprang open!!!:eek:

Also there is a case with handcuffs from the "Peerles Handcuff Co." in Springfield, Mass. There is a stamp #185521 on them?

To be honest my intent is to sell these. I have many other things from Gramps that will remain in the family, but I just don't want a firearm. Can anyone give me an idea of what a fair price should be?

Thanks,

Bill
 

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Price might depend on where you are. California might bring slightly higher price since you can't just import them from out of state.
I bought one a few years ago, that was just like your, but in pristine condition for 350.00.

So my guess is anywheres from around 275.00.00 for a quick sale to 400.00.
Other stuff that you mentioned won't bring up price at all.
That was the old clamshell type holster with the release by the trigger.

.38 special caliber, so that adds a little desirability to the gun.
But there are plenty of these around.
The fact that it doesn't have the original grips brings down the price as well.
Looks like Fitz imitation stag or something like that.
 
Since you have not included the guns serial number, it is tough to say the year, but it's probably 1950's to 1960's era, maybe 40's?

It is a fantastic gun. Not worth a whole lot, condition looks to be in the $400+ range to me. But they are great shooters. They have the same mechanism as the Colt Python, which is considered one of the finest DA revolvers ever. I have a Colt Official Police in 4" and it is hands down the most accurate of all the dozen revolvers I own. I paid $375 for it and it is not in as nearly good condition as yours.
 
Hi,
Nice revolver. I would say $350 would be a price range. If you try to sell it to a gun shop or consign I would say the most you would get would $275 to $300. The gun shop will try to get over $400 but you well realize maybe $275 on a consignment sale. PM me. I live in Murrieta and would be interested in seeing the revolver and holster.
Regards,
Howard
 
A nice outfit but I doubt it will sell for more than already estimated.

Will you include a copy of the picture of Grandpa in uniform?
And maybe a writeup on what you can learn of his career in LAPD.
 
I know some people do not like firearms, but if you have never gone shooting, how do you know you won't?

Personally, I would keep it and cherish it. I have a 1926 Colt Officers Model .38 I have had possession of for over 40 year, came from my FIL. Even though my wife will not shoot it (she likes her .22 High Standard Trophy much better) She would shoot me if I even suggested selling it.

Same goes for my 1903 Winchester 1897 shotgun I inherited when my dad died... I have plenty of my own firearms, so after dad died my BIL asked for the shotgun, and I considered letting him have it...my wife went ballistic.

Keep it, it was your grandfather's.
 
I've bought about 4 of these in average to near mint condition over the past 8 years. I've paid from 250-350. Shops usually try to get 400-500 out of them. The are simple, reliable and accurate revolvers I like to keep for home defense as my nonshooter wife can use it well in an emergency.
 
I couldn't read the pictures, is it .38 S&W or .38 Special?
Click to expand...
It is simply marked ".38", indicating that it is chambered in .38 Long Colt, the shorter and slightly less powerful predecessor of .38Spl.

.38 S&W Colts were marked ".38 Colt New Police" or ".38 Colt N.P." for short.

Edited to Add Note: I screwed up here, this is incorrect. Whoops. :o
 
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It is simply marked ".38", indicating that it is chambered in .38 Long Colt, the shorter and slightly less powerful predecessor of .38Spl.
Click to expand...

My 1932 Colt OP is marked:
COLT Official over Police ".38" (and it is a .38 special).
Has not been rechambered, pristine and original.
 
HighValleyRanch is right, it's .38Spl, I got the Colt OP mixed up with earlier Colt models. :o

I think I'll stop posting about Colts for a while...
 
I think I'll stop posting about Colts for a while...
Click to expand...

Nah, don't do that! I consider you one of the more knowledgeable people here, so keep posting!
Just happened to have one in my safe to check over.
I think those police positives have the "special" on them.
 
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