Value of Colt Official Police .38 S&W

DavidB2 · December 20, 2012, 09:39 PM

What is the value of a Colt Official police revolver in .38 S&W? 5 inch barrel and serial #12630. It is great condition. Thanks your insights.

James K · December 20, 2012, 10:19 PM

Can you double check the serial number? The OP line picked up from the Army Special, which picked up from the New Army & Navy model. The OP was made 1927-1969, but was not made in .38 S&W (.38 Colt New Police) after WWII. The serial number range 1927-1946 would be 513xxx to around 700xxx.

In any case, some good pictures will be needed to provide any realistic valuation. I will note that those "between wars" Colts are nice guns, but plentiful, and rarely bring over $250-300 unless in exceptional condition.

Jim

DavidB2 · December 20, 2012, 10:53 PM

The # 12630 is located next to the lanyard ring on the handle. Is there another number found on these pistols?

Deaf Smith · December 20, 2012, 10:58 PM

Does it have British proof marks?

Or something stamped on it denoting what company used it.

I can see a Colt OP in .38 Special but .38 S&W?

Deaf

DavidB2 · December 20, 2012, 11:50 PM

It may be British proof marks on left side below cylinder. .30-200 is next to Colt OP on the barrel. Wish I had a camera to take pictures.

JT-AR-MG42 · December 21, 2012, 05:16 AM

David,

The serial number for the pistol is found on the frame where cylinder crane closes against it.
The same number is also on the crane as well. Serial range as James noted, most likely in the 629,000 to 652,000 area.

The number on the butt is some sort of ID number for the gun. Combined with the lanyard, my guess is that it was lend-lease.

The 38-200 OPs do command more money than the .38 Specials when found in collectible condition. Most of them in that caliber ended up in England during the war.

The marking on the left frame at the junction of the trigger guard and frame is Colt's 'VP' or verified proof.

If the gun is British marked, you would see it with stampings that are hard to miss.

150 or less - 650 or more without pictures. Take your pick. If the guns finish is in the high 90s it would sell quickly.

JT

DavidB2 · December 21, 2012, 06:23 AM

Thanks for your help. I found the serial # of 668-991. I believe that it is a lend lease gun. I am thinking of trading it for a Remington R-1 1911 along with another used pistol. Just wondered if I could get more than $200.00 of value for it. I has scratches; but no rust and shoots great. The ammo is just hard to find.

James K · December 21, 2012, 02:48 PM

If it was Lend-Lease, it should have British proof marks dating from the time it was sold out of British government stores. But many OP models were made that accept .38 S&W that were not made for the British. Colt had called the cartridge the .38 Colt New Police and offered that caliber, but by the time of the OP, they had given up and advertised the model with .38 S&W as a standard caliber.

Jim

December 20, 2012, 10:53 PM	#3
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	serial # The # 12630 is located next to the lanyard ring on the handle. Is there another number found on these pistols?

December 20, 2012, 10:58 PM	#4
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Does it have British proof marks? Or something stamped on it denoting what company used it. I can see a Colt OP in .38 Special but .38 S&W? Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

December 20, 2012, 11:50 PM	#5
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	.38-200 on barrel It may be British proof marks on left side below cylinder. .30-200 is next to Colt OP on the barrel. Wish I had a camera to take pictures.

December 21, 2012, 06:23 AM	#7
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	Thanks! Thanks for your help. I found the serial # of 668-991. I believe that it is a lend lease gun. I am thinking of trading it for a Remington R-1 1911 along with another used pistol. Just wondered if I could get more than $200.00 of value for it. I has scratches; but no rust and shoots great. The ammo is just hard to find.

December 20, 2012, 09:39 PM	#1
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	Value of Colt Official Police .38 S&W What is the value of a Colt Official police revolver in .38 S&W? 5 inch barrel and serial #12630. It is great condition. Thanks your insights.

December 20, 2012, 10:19 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Can you double check the serial number? The OP line picked up from the Army Special, which picked up from the New Army & Navy model. The OP was made 1927-1969, but was not made in .38 S&W (.38 Colt New Police) after WWII. The serial number range 1927-1946 would be 513xxx to around 700xxx. In any case, some good pictures will be needed to provide any realistic valuation. I will note that those "between wars" Colts are nice guns, but plentiful, and rarely bring over $250-300 unless in exceptional condition. Jim

December 21, 2012, 05:16 AM	#6
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 555	David, The serial number for the pistol is found on the frame where cylinder crane closes against it. The same number is also on the crane as well. Serial range as James noted, most likely in the 629,000 to 652,000 area. The number on the butt is some sort of ID number for the gun. Combined with the lanyard, my guess is that it was lend-lease. The 38-200 OPs do command more money than the .38 Specials when found in collectible condition. Most of them in that caliber ended up in England during the war. The marking on the left frame at the junction of the trigger guard and frame is Colt's 'VP' or verified proof. If the gun is British marked, you would see it with stampings that are hard to miss. 150 or less - 650 or more without pictures. Take your pick. If the guns finish is in the high 90s it would sell quickly. JT

December 21, 2012, 02:48 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If it was Lend-Lease, it should have British proof marks dating from the time it was sold out of British government stores. But many OP models were made that accept .38 S&W that were not made for the British. Colt had called the cartridge the .38 Colt New Police and offered that caliber, but by the time of the OP, they had given up and advertised the model with .38 S&W as a standard caliber. Jim