Figures that since it also takes unusual these days ammo, you should put a bug in the ear of anyone that sells sporting goods and ammo in your area to be looking for someone trying to figure out what 38 ACP is or where they can get some of that ammo. Figure out how many 38 ACP guns are functioning in your area within 100 miles these days, and do the odds. Tell the sellers maybe to have the requester bring it in to be sure? That is if it is in the possession of some thug who wants to carry it or shoot it. Or run an ad in the papers looking to buy old Colt automatics. They are often stupid and may fall for that. Just turn down all callers until the right one comes along! Or worst case some idiot will have it, not know what to do with it, and hide it in the crawlspace or bury it for safekeeping, never to be seen again. Or it might be in the hands of someone who knows exactly what it is and what it is worth, and even then would have to try to sell it on Gunbroker or an auction house, or something like a SGN ad. Any gunshows regularly within 100 mi. of you? And since it is a particularly rare and expensive item, like jewelry, watches, coins etc. any chance of an inside job? WHo all knew you had it. That is speculation as I don't know the details. Good luck. Better chances of finding it versus a common gun I guess. Like finding a famous painting versus an obscure much less valuable one. They get noticed when they surface. ADDENDUM. Just thought of this-make the net your friend or a useful tool. Rare guns of great value often get listed on the web whether they are in an active auction or not. Maybe sometimes you could do searches for say-1902 Colt for sale, or even more specific like serial number added? If a 10,000$ gun surfaces for sale in the legitimate market, I bet it will appear on the web somewhere, and let the search engine to the walking!