Colt 3" .32 Detective Special fair price

[riley31]

I have a friend who inherited a 3" colt Detective Special in .32 caliber it is marked Hartford police on the back strap and is in 95% condition he wants to sell it any idea what a fair offer for this gun would be

[DFrame]

Around my neck of the woods $600 to $800. Some like PD marked guns some do not. Same with 32 calibre, some like it, some do not.
As far as I'M concerned ANY 3 inch Detective is VERY interesting, since I collect them. Should you deceide NOT to buy it I would be interested.

[riley31]

I just talked to him he said the gun store offered him $1200.00 in trade for it so he wants $1000.00 cash. What do you think?

[DFrame]

Too rich for MY blood, but good luck.

[riley31]

That is what I decided to. I told him he had better take the gun store deal.

[ralph7]

I just talked to him he said the gun store offered him $1200.00 in trade for it so he wants $1000.00 cash. What do you think?

i think your friend might be fishing for a nice bid under a little white lie.

[Collects]

Riley, good luck to your friend.

IMHO, the value is a lot closer to $600 than $1,000. I would only offer $500.

.32 NP is not a serious self defense cartridge, so it is a shooter or a low grade collector gun. No box, no papers, and some wear = the serious collectors have no interest. I enjoy shooting the .32 NP cartridge, but if I ever have to defend my life with a handgun, God forbid, I hope I have a .45 in my hand!

While the Blue Book, 32nd Ed. is only a guide, here is the only entry for the .32 DS:

DETECTIVE SPECIAL POST-WAR (SECOND ISSUE)

- .32 NP, .38 NP, or .38 Spl. cal., 2 or 3 (scarce) in. barrel, can be distinguished from First Issue by 1/8 in. deeper frame (measured from hammer to bottom of frame behind trigger guard), plastic grips 1947-1954, wood grips 1955-1965, wraparound wood grips 1966-1972. Mfg. 1947-1972.

Grading	100%	98%	95%	90%	80%	70%	60%	50%	40%	30%	20%	10%
	$950	$800	$550	$300	$250	$200	$185	$170	$160	$150	$140	$120

Add 20% for nickel finish. Add 15% for 3 in. barrel.

There are four variations of the model - a pre-war design with post-war ser. nos., a "Transition" variation (late 1947-1952, with blue pre-war frame, late 1948-1952 have Coltwood grips), polished long grip frame (mfg. 1953-1966, round grip frame), and short grip frame (mfg. 1966-1972, walnut grip panels).

[Collects]

Here is one for $825, allegedly new and unfired in the original box.

Colt Cobra 32NP NIB Colt Double Action Revolvers- Modern for sale, gun classifieds or gun auction from ELMIRA ARMS CO PEACO. Buy or bid on this Colt Cobra 32NP NIB in the category Colt Double Action Revolvers- Modern on GunsAmerica.

[ohiobuckeye]

The key here is the three inch barrel...rare bird in 32 cal.