Colt- Catelogs / Book values?

[Chopperdog]

I am an avid Colt Firearms Collector but have never collected Colt printed material and have recently acquired some. I am interested in knowing a rough value for the following.
1. 1920's and 1930's Colt "The Arms of Law and Order" catelogs.
2. An original "Makers of History" paperback book copyrighted in 1926 by Colt.

Thanks for your input,

Chopper Dog
CCA, SASS

[JudgeColt]

Welcome to the forum.

The price varies hugely on eBay. Lately, some optimistic seller is listing "Buy-It-Now" prices at near $300, and, so far, I have not seen any of the 1920s to 1930s catalogs sell at that price. Your question lumps twenty years of catalogs together and a 1920 catalog is worth a LOT more than a 1940 catalog. The gray embossed cover "The Arms of Law and Order" catalogs of 1929 to 1941 also vary in their market price, influenced by condition, whether the proper price list is with the catalog and whether the mailing envelope is with the catalog. I have seen them sell from $15 to $100. The undated but "coded date" ("Ninety-three Years of Colt Fire Arms Manufacture") 1929 catalog seems to be the most common. (1929 through 1931 catalogs are "date-coded" only based on the number of years from 1836, with no actual title page date.) I would speculate that the average for a "bare" embossed gray cover catalog is around $30 to $60.

The little books put out by Colt have little value unless two people happen to want the same book. The books usually bring only $10 to $30.

[rhmc24]

On the same subject, I have a little 1937 book Revolving Cylinder Colt Pistol 1839-1847 covering the period from the Paterson to the Walker. It is by J. H. Edgerly, then owner of pictured crude-looking prototypes. Its on ebay now so we'll see what it's worth.

[Chopperdog]

Thank you for your feedback. The older and smaller book that i have from the 1920's does not have Information refrencing IE: ("Ninety-three Years of Colt Fire Arms Manufacture") as the 1930's catelogs have. The only refrence to date in the book is is the last page anouncing the 1922 offer to add the Johns-Pratt Company to its organization. Having attended several CCA all Colt shows, i have not seen any dealers selling these catalogs. They seem to be either very scarce or limited in collectibility? If anyone knows of any books or sources covering the scarcity, collectibility, and valuation of these catologs, your feedback would be appreciated. The historical stories and National Camp Perry shooting competition results listed in them are great reading. I would imagine that several of the competitors pictured had their names engraved on their grip frame. I wonder how many people own those pistols and cannot trace the prominace of the owners????

[JudgeColt]

If you are interested in Colt literature, you need "The Book of Colt Paper" by John Ogle. The book describes every known piece of Colt literature.

Our resident God of the Woodsman, Mr. Rayburn, has a pair of engraved Pre-War Match Targets, each inscribed with the name of a Decker brother. I was able to provide some information on Emerson Decker because I actually met Mr. Decker in the 1970s. Mr. Decker was a competitive shooter in the 1930s. The Decker Brothers Sporting Goods firm is still in business as a trucking firm owned by the same family. If you ever see a semi-trailer with "Decker, Mason City, Iowa" painted on it, that is a direct link to the Decker Match Targets in Mr. Rayburn's collection. Here is the link to the guns:

http://www.colt22.com/featured/index.html

It is ironic that I have a Pre-War Match Target that was also shipped to Decker Brothers. The family has the other gun that was in the shipment with mine, but it is not for sale.

[Chopperdog]

Once again. Much thanks Judge Colt! That is one beautiful Match Target!

Here's a challenge for you! ........... I hope you are either VERY old or a wizard on research technique!!
Its a .45 cal., 7 1/2 barrel, US contract Calvary, single action, R.A.C. inspected, ?1890-1891. Included in the last US contract shipment. This gun did not go back to the Colt factory for refurbishing and shortened barrel.
It has period correct engraving down the grip frame.... Top of grip frame has a 5 point star behind the trigger recess.
"E B.Howard" along the grip frame. Then "USM" (I do not know what "USM" is an acronym for other than an obvious guess)near the butt at the bottom of the grip frame. On the bottom of the butt is an engraved date "1897".
The closest possibility I have found is an E B Howad as 7th Commander of Whittier Post #7, Grand army of the Republic Chicago outpost assuming the 7th Commander was EB Howard in the 1897 period??
If you can nail down verifiable prominance on this gun, I'll come see you and kiss your feet!

Thanks~ Chopper Dog

[22-rimfire]

Collecting Colt literature is an interesting hobby. I was very active for a number of years and since trailed off. I mean, how many 1955-1956 catalogs does one person actually need if they aren't a dealer? The small format catalogs are generally the better catalogs to pick up in good condition. Pre-1910 catalogs are great if you can afford them!

[Chopperdog]

Rimfire,
Can you post a pic and dimensions of a pre 1910 catalog for me? Also, can you give me a general ball park for values of the different date ranges pre 1910?
Im kinda shooting in the dark on values!
The rarer, the better!!

Thanks~ Chopper Dog