[pistolwhipped]

i have resently got a official police revolver with serial number 545xxx with a 4 inch barral , nickle platted with a butt stamp of 5045 and i was wondering what year it would be? and about how much it is worth? any replies would be appreciated ,

 

[COLTDAGUY]

Hi Pistolwhipped,
Your OP was made about 1929... Can you tell me how the 5045 appears on the butt? Does it run the length of the butt or is it marked so you can read them in a crossways fashion? How big are the numbers? A picture would be good if you have the means... Value would depend whether the nickel is factory or after market and how those numbers might be marked. Is there any other non-Colt markings on the frame/barrel or in the cylinder flutes? Bob Best

 

[pistolwhipped]

the #, read from the bottom left to right No.5045 the number size is 1/16 of an inch the only other mark is a triangle in front of the trigger,the gun is never been re-nickeled also there is damage on the butt where the holster strap rubbed on the handle also there ic 3 s/n all of them match one on the crane,frame, and under the plate for the release

 

[COLTDAGUY]

Hi Pistolwhipped,
Thanks for sending the photos... My reference to a four digit number on the butt of a few early Official Police revolvers was in reference to a shipment to the British Purchasing Commission for the Battle of Britain. Some OPs were marked with a four digit number. It's hard to tell from your photo, but that number appears to be engraved and has the "No." in front of it... wrong type for a BoB gun.
I don't know what your number may represent, maybe a police officer's ID number??? I stamped my ID number on guns I carried off duty...
The triangle on the trigger guard is Colt's "Verified Proof" mark. It signifies the gun passed inspection and there is a small "VP" inside the triangle. Colt began putting the "VP" proof on their guns about 1904 during the production of their New Army and Navy model revolvers.
It's hard to tell from your photo but it appears the nickel is original. The markings look sharp .... You could add a small premium for original nickel to the price of a prewar Colt Official Police model. Hope that helps... Bob Best

 

[COLTDAGUY]

Pistolwhipped...
Looking at the last picture as my reply posted, it doesn't appear that your OP has the correct grips??? The correct grips should fit the grip frame cutouts with no overlap. Those grips appear to be for a '70s era Colt... My opinion... Take care, Bob Best

 

[pistolwhipped]

i know the grips are not right i put the 70s grips on because they are bigger and fit my hand i have the correct grips for it and i do think that the num. is a issue number
also i was looking around the web and saw where the 4" barrel is not as common as the 6" would that raise the value and about how much dose pre war colts go for round about like mine im not looking to sell but just would like to know

thank you cliff

 

[COLTDAGUY]

Hi Cliff,
I don't know that 4 inch barrels are less common than 6 inch barrels in the OP frame size. There were so many prewar OPs produced that I think you could have your choice of barrel lengths any time you wished to buy one. I'm not sure how a collector would view the number on the butt. If you had a Colt factory letter stating that Colt roll marked or engraved the number then it would bring a premium. From the photos, I would guess that your gun might bring $300 to $400. This is about the price range I see being asked at the gunshows and on line... My Opinion! Hope that helps... Bob Best

 

[lonewolf]

Cliff;I will go on the high side of Bob's estimate,or $400, W/O seeing your gun in person,it has 2 things in its favor; First,nickle finish, In over 20 years of collecting mostly E frames(like the O.Police),SAAs and the big New Service D.A. Revolvers,I have seen "2" nickled O. Polices,out of 100's! One was a NIB specimen a dealer was asking,and got,$500,for at a show over 10 years ago. The other, was one that 3 young people brought into a gun shop,I frequented,around 12 years ago. They wanted $175 for gun,and dealer offered them $125-no sale. I came very close to following them out to parking lot and pulling out the $175,from my "stash" of bills
,but figured I might get attacked when they saw the roll of billss,or that gun was "hot", Probably should've bought it,and it had great real stag stocks.

Over on the S&W Froum,we've discussed that 4" S&W M&Ps are far scarcer on the pre war guns than on the post wars,and I think this is true for Colt's competition to the M&P,the O.Police. 6" models were very common before the war,but after,the 4" took over,and the 6" models were far less popular. A variety of reasons for this,too long to add to this already long post.

My guess on the markings is probably a P.D.,but it also could be from a gun issued to a plant guard.

Only problem with nickle guns,is that any "nickle loss" shows up more,and distracts from the guns overall appearance,than a blued gun,wich seems to show less obvious wear,especially if the worn area has taken on a nice "patina".

Good Luck,and BTW,glad you have the original stocks,and I bet if you added a grip adapter,especially a polished stainless steel one by Tyler,you'd find the original stocks would feel better with your hand fit.

Bud /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[pistolwhipped]

thank yall for re: to my post im glad i can learn more about my pistol ect. iv got one more question where can i find out about a russin 1943 mosin nagent rifle i just bought it today any links would be nice thank yall again


thanks cliff

 

[ButchG17]

[ QUOTE ]
iv got one more question where can i find out about a russin 1943 mosin nagent rifle i just bought it today any links would be nice thank yall.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forums.com/phpBB2/