Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns help me value an old colt please

I recently purchased a Colt 1902 that has magnificent bluing as you can see by the reflections in the pics. There is a couple spots where it rusted a tiny bit and a scratch in the frame, also seen in the pics. The finish appears to be original to me but I am no expert. The barrel might as well be new. It shows very little sign of wear. S/N is in the top of the 36k's.

Were it not for the couple spots on the finish, the gun would look nearly new. I am unsure how to value such a piece. Please help.

I am pretty sure it is as the edges are sharp and no signs on the markings. The blueing is super deep unlike stuff seen today. The wear areas are simply not worn. It appears to have been in a collection for a long time.

I should be able to trade it for an ar then....

A mirror finish doesn't sound right for a 1902 Colt.

Take a look at this gun, notice that not only is the finish not mirror it's also a much lighter blue than yours, almost a translucent gray. That's Carbonia bluing.
http://w.coltautos.com/1902mci_38341.htm



I have seen 1902's and guns of that era both Carbonia blued, and slow rust blued. The slow rust blue would produce a more black finish, but it's usually even more matte than Carbonia bluing.

A rust blued 1902 would look more like this



Just speculation on my part, but yours appears to be a re-blue using hot caustic bluing process. Looks like they did a decent job, but the finish is not right for the gun.

Understand this is just speculation based on some not so great photos on a forum, the only real test is looking at it up close.

One of the easiest ways to tell if a gun has been re-blued is by looking at pitting on the gun. If the edges of the pitting are sharp and discolored, chances are it's the original finish. If the edges are rounded just a bit, and there is no discoloration to the edges, then it has been re-finished.

Reblue or not, you have a super cool pistol there. If re-blued it should get you over a grand just because the blue job appears to be well done, and the rest of the gun seems to be all there and in good condition. If it really is the original finish, then it could go anywhere from $2k to $3k...ish. Just my .02

NOOO!!!



Stop and find out what you have before you agree to a trade for an AR! Otherwise it had better be one hell of an AR.

Even if that's a re-blued gun it's worth at least what a very nice brand new Colt AR would go for. If the finish is original, then it's worth 2 or 3 AR's. Find out what your pistol is really worth before you let someone take you for a ride.

and absolutely, positively, NO .38 Super ammo

My pic is under a florescent light with a cell phone. In good light it looks very much like the first pic. I will get some light box pics. I took it to a local who deals with high end guns who had the same pistol. Three folks who have been around these agreed it is original finish. There is zero sign of a soft edge anywhere. I will get some quality pics up soon.