Colt help?

gunluver · March 21, 2013, 11:39 AM

My holy grail of .22 revolvers has been the Colt Diamondback .22 ever since the first time I've held one. I've never come along the right deal or model and most on gunbroker are extremely expensive or I'm afraid to take a chance on it.

So a local gunshop just got 2 new pieces in off of an estate sale. 2 Colt Diamonbacks, both blue, both 4", one is a .38, and the other is.....yep a .22.
Apparently they came from the same estate (person) and were both bought new by that person, shot once, and put in the safe. Widow cannot find the original boxes. I can believe the "shot once" or at least very little. I would but the bluing at 99%, and only the slightest hint of a turn line on the cylinders.

They want $1400 a piece for them. I'm thinking that's a little high without original boxes, but on the other hand......there they are, only 15 minutes from my house and looking all shiny and perfect.

What say the experts? I'm really only thinking about the .22

Bob Wright · March 21, 2013, 11:54 AM

Do you want it $1400 worth?

As for me, I'd opt for a 6" barrel in a .22 L.R. You wanting a shooter, or a wall hanger?

For me, $1400 is too steep for a Diamondback.

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

Bob Wright

**Mike Irwin** · March 21, 2013, 12:06 PM

That's definitely high, but it's in line with what people are wanting for the few .22s that are at gunbroker and auction arms.

You can try seeing if he will take less, but the Diamondback is one of those guns that everyone seems to thing is make out of angel farts and unobtanium so they are priced accordingly...

gunluver · March 21, 2013, 12:18 PM

Angel farts and unobtanium??

LOL, that's funny!!

I should go with my original gut feeling....too high
Maybe I'll try to talk him down

Bob, I get what you're saying about the 6" better for shooting. I just don't like them, 3" and 4" barrels just handle and balance better for me

Venom1956 · March 21, 2013, 12:20 PM

I'd offer 2k for both or something like that. 2k is alot more then 1400 and they probably got them pretty cheap. Psychologically 2k for both seems better to him, then trying to get him down to 1000 for just the .22 If you got 1400 you can stretch 2000... its a life purchase...

Grant D · March 21, 2013, 01:18 PM

This one is at Collectors Firearms in Houston,and they are proud of their weapons.
They know what they're worth, and price them accordingly.

Check out their web site they have thousands of weapons.

$1,250.00Colt Diamondback .38 Special (C8936)
Colt Diamondback .38 Special caliber revolver. 4" blue model in near excellent condition with very light wear.

I agree with Venom1956...offer two grand for the pair.

Winchester_73 · March 21, 2013, 04:29 PM

I wouldn't pay $1400 but what do they bring in that condition without a box? I'd say they do sell at least online for $1400 +/-. Just like the Python, they bring that money because they are out of production. I have one, a OMM, and several K-22s and between the ergonomics IE feel and sights, the diamondback is the caboose of the group. If you want it for shooting, IMO there are better guns, but if you want it as a collectible, they are very in demand and sought after by collectors. When you find diamondbacks in 22, most will be 4in blue, so don't pay for it thinking its something unusual. I see much less of the 6in versions, snubs are rare, as are factory nickel guns, when talking diamondback 22s. As others have said, making an offer on the pair is a smart move, but make sure you get the old ladys phone # so you can call back every so often to see if she finds the boxes at a later time. The box adds much to the package, as you probably know.

* edit - Diamondbacks are very collectible, but I don't like them near as much for shooting. I did not mean to say Diamondbacks are last in collectibility, they are at the top.

gunluver · March 21, 2013, 06:29 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone. I went and talked with the guy, tried to offer lower. He won't budge. I'm not gonna pay that, so he gets to keep the pair for the next guy.

**Mike Irwin** · March 21, 2013, 06:49 PM

In the current environment, not really surprising...

oldgunsmith · March 21, 2013, 07:36 PM

Overpriced for me, but so is everything else out there. Makes me wonder how many are actually selling for what everyone is asking.

KyJim · March 21, 2013, 10:07 PM

I was fortunate enough to get my Diamondbacks (.38 and .22) before the crazy insane prices. Prices on Pythons had started to get high and I decided to get the Diamondbacks because Colt made fewer of them than they did Pythons. They are good guns but not worth the price they seem to be fetching these days.

22-rimfire · March 21, 2013, 10:15 PM

A Mint 4" DB 22 in the original box is probably worth their price. I wouldn't pay $1400 for a 99% one with no box.

The Blue 4" Diamondback is the most common of all the Diamondback variations in both 22 and 38spl. Some are pretty special.

Venom1956 · March 22, 2013, 11:51 AM

Go there with 2k in twenties. seems like they they huge pile of twenties looks awesome. and put them all down one the counter. Cash is king. I'll give him pause. That's all you can do. but 2k promised is a lot less persuasive then a pile of cash sitting on your counter. Also its cheaper for small shops to take cash then run a card.

March 21, 2013, 11:39 AM	#1
gunluver Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Location: York, Pa Posts: 381	Colt help? My holy grail of .22 revolvers has been the Colt Diamondback .22 ever since the first time I've held one. I've never come along the right deal or model and most on gunbroker are extremely expensive or I'm afraid to take a chance on it. So a local gunshop just got 2 new pieces in off of an estate sale. 2 Colt Diamonbacks, both blue, both 4", one is a .38, and the other is.....yep a .22. Apparently they came from the same estate (person) and were both bought new by that person, shot once, and put in the safe. Widow cannot find the original boxes. I can believe the "shot once" or at least very little. I would but the bluing at 99%, and only the slightest hint of a turn line on the cylinders. They want $1400 a piece for them. I'm thinking that's a little high without original boxes, but on the other hand......there they are, only 15 minutes from my house and looking all shiny and perfect. What say the experts? I'm really only thinking about the .22 __________________ Life is too short to not buy the handguns you want.....or think you gotta have.......or is just pretty......or a good deal.......(insert reason here)

March 21, 2013, 12:06 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	That's definitely high, but it's in line with what people are wanting for the few .22s that are at gunbroker and auction arms. You can try seeing if he will take less, but the Diamondback is one of those guns that everyone seems to thing is make out of angel farts and unobtanium so they are priced accordingly... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 21, 2013, 12:18 PM	#4
gunluver Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Location: York, Pa Posts: 381	Angel farts and unobtanium?? LOL, that's funny!! I should go with my original gut feeling....too high Maybe I'll try to talk him down Bob, I get what you're saying about the 6" better for shooting. I just don't like them, 3" and 4" barrels just handle and balance better for me __________________ Life is too short to not buy the handguns you want.....or think you gotta have.......or is just pretty......or a good deal.......(insert reason here)

March 21, 2013, 12:20 PM	#5
Venom1956 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 3,656	I'd offer 2k for both or something like that. 2k is alot more then 1400 and they probably got them pretty cheap. Psychologically 2k for both seems better to him, then trying to get him down to 1000 for just the .22 If you got 1400 you can stretch 2000... its a life purchase... __________________ E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. -Smaug Last edited by Venom1956; March 21, 2013 at 12:26 PM.

March 21, 2013, 04:29 PM	#7
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	I wouldn't pay $1400 but what do they bring in that condition without a box? I'd say they do sell at least online for $1400 +/-. Just like the Python, they bring that money because they are out of production. I have one, a OMM, and several K-22s and between the ergonomics IE feel and sights, the diamondback is the caboose of the group. If you want it for shooting, IMO there are better guns, but if you want it as a collectible, they are very in demand and sought after by collectors. When you find diamondbacks in 22, most will be 4in blue, so don't pay for it thinking its something unusual. I see much less of the 6in versions, snubs are rare, as are factory nickel guns, when talking diamondback 22s. As others have said, making an offer on the pair is a smart move, but make sure you get the old ladys phone # so you can call back every so often to see if she finds the boxes at a later time. The box adds much to the package, as you probably know. * edit - Diamondbacks are very collectible, but I don't like them near as much for shooting. I did not mean to say Diamondbacks are last in collectibility, they are at the top. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west Last edited by Winchester_73; March 22, 2013 at 06:12 PM.

March 21, 2013, 11:54 AM	#2
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	Do you want it $1400 worth? As for me, I'd opt for a 6" barrel in a .22 L.R. You wanting a shooter, or a wall hanger? For me, $1400 is too steep for a Diamondback. You pays your money, you takes your choice. Bob Wright

March 21, 2013, 01:18 PM	#6
Grant D Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2011 Location: Brazos County, Texas Posts: 1,038	This one is at Collectors Firearms in Houston,and they are proud of their weapons. They know what they're worth, and price them accordingly. Check out their web site they have thousands of weapons. $1,250.00Colt Diamondback .38 Special (C8936) Colt Diamondback .38 Special caliber revolver. 4" blue model in near excellent condition with very light wear. I agree with Venom1956...offer two grand for the pair.

March 21, 2013, 06:29 PM	#8
gunluver Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Location: York, Pa Posts: 381	Thanks for the replies everyone. I went and talked with the guy, tried to offer lower. He won't budge. I'm not gonna pay that, so he gets to keep the pair for the next guy. __________________ Life is too short to not buy the handguns you want.....or think you gotta have.......or is just pretty......or a good deal.......(insert reason here)

March 21, 2013, 06:49 PM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	In the current environment, not really surprising... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 21, 2013, 07:36 PM	#10
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 278	Overpriced for me, but so is everything else out there. Makes me wonder how many are actually selling for what everyone is asking.

March 21, 2013, 10:07 PM	#11
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I was fortunate enough to get my Diamondbacks (.38 and .22) before the crazy insane prices. Prices on Pythons had started to get high and I decided to get the Diamondbacks because Colt made fewer of them than they did Pythons. They are good guns but not worth the price they seem to be fetching these days.

March 21, 2013, 10:15 PM	#12
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	A Mint 4" DB 22 in the original box is probably worth their price. I wouldn't pay $1400 for a 99% one with no box. The Blue 4" Diamondback is the most common of all the Diamondback variations in both 22 and 38spl. Some are pretty special.

March 22, 2013, 11:51 AM	#13
Venom1956 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 3,656	Go there with 2k in twenties. seems like they they huge pile of twenties looks awesome. and put them all down one the counter. Cash is king. I'll give him pause. That's all you can do. but 2k promised is a lot less persuasive then a pile of cash sitting on your counter. Also its cheaper for small shops to take cash then run a card. __________________ E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. -Smaug