Colt in .25 ACP??

Swamp Yankee · January 28, 2002, 09:06 PM

Friend at work was showing me some pictures of a Colt pistol he inheritted from his Grandmother. It's a single action semi with a bright nickel finish, and black grips. Caliber is 25 ACP. Never heard of a Colt in .25 ACP before. It appears to be in very good to excellent condition based upon the photos. He said it was stamped US Government. Any idea as to what this little cutie is? Any idea as to what it's value is?
As always, Thanks in advance for the responses.
Take Care

johnwill · January 28, 2002, 09:55 PM

If it's the .25ACP, and it's stamped as US Property, it's probably one of the few 1908's that were so stamped, or perhaps a fake, hard to say. Is this the pistol?

**Mike Irwin** · January 29, 2002, 01:38 AM

If it's bright nickle and stamped US property, I'd bet that it's either a fake, or has been nickled sometime AFTER it fell into private hands.

If that is the case, it destroys much of the value.

Swamp Yankee · January 29, 2002, 07:41 PM

Thanks Guys

You are indeed correct that's the gun. I got a peak at it today at lunch. It is marked US Property, not US Government. The plating job is very good, so if it was done after the fact, whomever did it certainly knew what they were doing.
I referrred my friend to a shop owner I trust that does firearms estate appraisals.
Much obliged for your time, assistance, and information.
Take Care

johnwill · January 29, 2002, 09:40 PM

It's a shame that someone nickeled the gun, because an original US Property 1908 would be worth a significant sum. In excellent condition, my book has them at $2500, but after refinishing, it's value has been cut to perhaps 15-20% of that, or less.

C.R.Sam · January 30, 2002, 12:50 AM

I can't bring up John's picture.
If it is a 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless, could be nickle and marked U.S.Property..........Fjestad.

Single action ? Hammer showin, oh well.

Sam

johnwill · January 30, 2002, 06:07 PM

I kinda' doubt that any of the US Property ones were nickel, I've never seen any reference to that being the case. The Blue Book doesn't actually say any nickeled ones were so marked, it just makes a note about value if so marked at the end of the description of the 1908 .25. It would be interesting if anyone had a definitive reference to say, one way or the other.

January 28, 2002, 09:06 PM	#1
Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2000 Location: Northeastern Ct. Posts: 1,013	Colt in .25 ACP?? Friend at work was showing me some pictures of a Colt pistol he inheritted from his Grandmother. It's a single action semi with a bright nickel finish, and black grips. Caliber is 25 ACP. Never heard of a Colt in .25 ACP before. It appears to be in very good to excellent condition based upon the photos. He said it was stamped US Government. Any idea as to what this little cutie is? Any idea as to what it's value is? As always, Thanks in advance for the responses. Take Care

January 29, 2002, 01:38 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,126	If it's bright nickle and stamped US property, I'd bet that it's either a fake, or has been nickled sometime AFTER it fell into private hands. If that is the case, it destroys much of the value. __________________ "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.

January 28, 2002, 09:55 PM	#2
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	If it's the .25ACP, and it's stamped as US Property, it's probably one of the few 1908's that were so stamped, or perhaps a fake, hard to say. Is this the pistol?

January 29, 2002, 07:41 PM	#4
Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2000 Location: Northeastern Ct. Posts: 1,013	Thanks Guys You are indeed correct that's the gun. I got a peak at it today at lunch. It is marked US Property, not US Government. The plating job is very good, so if it was done after the fact, whomever did it certainly knew what they were doing. I referrred my friend to a shop owner I trust that does firearms estate appraisals. Much obliged for your time, assistance, and information. Take Care

January 29, 2002, 09:40 PM	#5
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	It's a shame that someone nickeled the gun, because an original US Property 1908 would be worth a significant sum. In excellent condition, my book has them at $2500, but after refinishing, it's value has been cut to perhaps 15-20% of that, or less.

January 30, 2002, 12:50 AM	#6
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,864	I can't bring up John's picture. If it is a 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless, could be nickle and marked U.S.Property..........Fjestad. Single action ? Hammer showin, oh well. Sam

January 30, 2002, 06:07 PM	#7
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	I kinda' doubt that any of the US Property ones were nickel, I've never seen any reference to that being the case. The Blue Book doesn't actually say any nickeled ones were so marked, it just makes a note about value if so marked at the end of the description of the 1908 .25. It would be interesting if anyone had a definitive reference to say, one way or the other.