Colt 22LR

[schwarz633]

I'm in the process of dealing with my brother-in-laws estate and ran across this Colt Diamondback 22LR revolver. I've got a Glock 19 and a Sig Sauer P226 in 9mm so I initially turned my nose up at the 22 caliber, but after a little research, it appears that it's actually worth something. My question is why would I want it, and how much should I pay the estate for it? I believe it to be a 1979 model with 6" barrel.

[Robert Coats]

Very nice and collectible. With an original box, it could fetch $1k+

Check listings on Guns for Sale - Online Gun Auction - Buy Guns at GunBroker.com to get a good glimpse of the market.

[regency]

Nice Gun, at the range you can shoot more & save $$.

Steve

73 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

[Tobra]

with a little trigger work, you have yourself a little 22 python

My brother has one of those, sweet shooting little gun, that one there is almost too pretty to shoot.

[Bill Douglas]

Don't need to shoot it. Just wipe it down with an oily rag and look at it.

[targa911S]

I'm with Bill. Too nice to shoot. yes you want it. pay them what they want.

[widgeon13]

Are you the executor of the will? If so you should pay market value to make certain there are no complaints and so no one will try to contest the will over such a minor issue. Just my 2 cents.

[Seahawk]

This is close: Colt Diamondback Revolver, 22LR, 6 inch barrel : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

I agree with Widgeon...even if you are not the executor, people get goofy.

[on2wheels52]

Was the b-i-l more of a gun 'nut' than you?
Assuming they are going to liquidate the estate, if it was me and I was somewhat interested in the thing I'd offer about 1/2 the retail value. No point in paying full fare if it's not something you've been looking for.
If you're doing some work for the estate, perhaps they'll just give it to you. I expect my grieving widow to be handing out guns like popcorn (she has a lot of brothers).
Jim

[Bill Douglas]

Don't touch it, don't have anything to do with it. Send it off to some foreign country far away. Some place like maybe New Zealand...

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Tobra

with a little trigger work, you have yourself a little 22 python

My brother has one of those, sweet shooting little gun, that one there is almost too pretty to shoot.

You should have put it in Greenn...

Tigger work...geezus do I need to say it ..it is about as good as you can get it from a outa the box factory spoon.

Value 1200 to 1400..especially wid de box

And if your too stupid to know not only that this thing is special but will shoot better than you ever will,..you are the poster boy for Gun Control.

[schwarz633]

Well, I guess the general consensus is that it's pretty desirable. That being the case, I think that I'll offer $900. The estate is being split between my wife and her two sisters, BIL had no wife or kids. So it will only cost me $600 out of pocket. It came in a leather holster marked "Black Sheep Brand" 4432-8. The gun is SN R555XX, no box, but I have the mustard colored Instruction Manual and a tan Handling the Handgun pamphlet. Am I going to hurt the value by shooting it? There's already some very light drag marks on the cylinder, so it's not like it's never been fired.

[on2wheels52]

A good pawnshop (assuming there is such a thing) might give you $600 for a .22 DB. Go for it.
Jim

[tabs]

Not only will you have a fine shooter, you will also have a hopefully good rememberance of the BIL. U really won't harm it by shooting it at the Range where it will come out of a Gun Rug and back into it when finished. Just keep it out of the holster.

Leather Holster storage is very destructive to firearms as the leather retains moisture..further they impart wear on the finish with the putting in and the taking out of the Spoon. So a nice Canvass Gun Rug with a soft interior (without Foam) is in order to protect your investment. Kolpin is a good mfg.

Also retain all original factory paper work..collectors just love that stuff.

[Vintage Racer]

Originally Posted by schwarz633

I believe it to be a 1979 model with 6" barrel.

It could be a 1979 (the target grip and shrouded ejector rod). It could be an earlier Diamondback (worth more NIB, but less w/o a box and paperwork). They were made from 1966-1991.

You should make some better pictures of the revolver (and a couple after removing the stocks [grips]). A collector needs to inspect the frame w/o the stocks for possible condensation damage.

I collect older Colt and S&W revolvers. I bought this NIB S&W, never fired, 1978 Model 34 a few days ago:


It's a 3-screw with matching stocks (the rear number on the stocks show the same ser. number as the gun).

That Diamondback is worth $800-$1250 (depending on the details).