Given what I read here so often, I would first look towards confirming its authenticity as completely as possible.
Seems so many commented upon here, are B.S. barrels on other compatible revolvers. Might could be why it has languished so long.
Then, commence with potential valuation.

 

You've got to be pulling our collective legs! If the BS functions as it should, has the original stocks and isn't pitted with rust, buy it as quickly as possible for the asking price or haggle if you must but don't pass it up! Check closely to see if it's a Railway Mail gun. Here's a current example, albeit a little on the high side: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1116764707

 

Pretty sure it is not a RMS gun. If it were I would have jumped on it. No marking and no sign of it having been "scrubbed." Cylinder window seems compatible with the shorter, non-.38 Special cylinder. I grant you it might be worth $900 but it does seem high to me and it would put the gun above my toy budget of $1000 per. Sometimes I am just a cheap SOB.

 

What's the % finish? % condition of stocks? If it's a square butt, you have to buy it. If it's a round butt, you should buy it. ( I'm great at spending other people's money.)

 

I have been semi-eyeballing a decent blue Banker's Special in the used-consignment shelf at my favorite LGS/range for quite some time. It is almost at the one-year-on the shelf date. ...

Over 6 months at a local gun shop, which the public can enter and see it every day? That tells you it's too high for the local market. And the local gun shop knows that. Maybe the consignor doesn't.
With some caveats: The job of a seller is to get the absolute highest price he can. The job of a buyer is to get the lowest. All you can do is ask for a lower price to be considered. I'd go a couple hundred down. Why? Because you'd know right away if the guy is serious about selling it, of if he's happy to just "store" his gun there. If he comes halfway up, would you be happy with the price?*

I've made offers on consigned guns many times, and almost always they were accepted. It's not about "comparisons" with Gunbroker. It's about the person selling it, what his motivations are, and if he's tired of it sitting in the shop for months with no calls. Your offer is about what YOU think it's worth, using your knowledge of rebluing, problems, broken things on it.

*nobody here knows what this gun looks like or if it's original.

 

"Average" conditions Bankers Specials typically bring low to mid teens. $900 seems relatively inexpensive for that particular model.

 

Thanks guys. I will take a much closer look at it when next I drop in. I am in there for the range about once a week. (The gun is mis-tagged as an Official Police which clearly it is not.)

 

Oh...! The plot thickens. If they don't know it's a Bankers....you might want to grab it before they figure out the descrepancy, making an offer of course. But often gun shops will put whatever a seller wants to sell a gun for, they don't look them up or establish a price.

 

$900 is a very good price from what I have seen on the BS. Cherry's had some a while back and the one with the most wear on it was still over a thousand. They all sold.

 

I would do as much research as possible, know serial number ranges, correct features etc then go back with your best Poker face and six crisp Benjamins plus some 10's and 20's and be prepared to wrestle to the mat if you decide you want it. If You back & forth handlng it and asking questions, or taking pictures you will tip him off and he might stand firm or raise his price along with his suspicions. Walk in armed with information and be prepared to negotiate if it proves to be the real deal. Good Luck

 

I remember when the original Cobras were pretty high. One day the LGS got in about 18 of them at once, from a collection. They had them all priced in the "Gunbroker Plus" price range. They sat and sat for weeks. Finally someone started marking some of them down, the more ratty ones. But he got confused, and marked down a mint, nickel one. Which I immediately bought when I saw the $399 price. But know what? Today, they're down, and $400 bucks is about what it would sell for. Moral? Dont' get caught up in a high price wave if you don't like the gun or want it for a shooter. No one knows what the future holds for gun investments.

 

Here is a decent summary of characteristics, markings, and production.

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/updated-information-for-the-colt-bankers-special.394722/

 

Well I went back, took a GOOD look at it, did some research and I think I have it figured. What it is is a relatively early Police Positive that has at some time been rebarreled with a Bankers Special barrel. Serial # 105XX. It would still be a neat shooter so I went ahead and put in a reasonable (but a lot less than $900) bid on it and I will see what shakes out. THANKS FOR ALL THE INPUT GUYS. I APPRECIATE IT. I will let you know what happens.

 

Can't wait , always like to see vintage Colts . I always pay what I am comfortable with no matter what the market is at the time. As we all know , gun value can be a rollercoaster. You have to be happy with your decision or you won't be happy with your gun .