| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
I know, this is way off base for a bike forum, but I also know we have quite a few LEOs and ex-military folk here... Dad (81 this year) gave me his old 4" Official Police .38 last week, and I'm in the process of cleaning it ("last time I chambered a round in it was when I went to the range for the bicentennial"). It's nasty - I think that was the last time he *cleaned* it, too. Sticky, dusty, and generally cranky from disuse...but I'd have to say it's about 98% blue intact - EXCELLENT condition with no pitting anywhere and nice sharp rifling - and with a few disassemblies/lubes/cleanings this week so far, it's actually starting to behave like it should. Might get it's first cylinder-full in a long time, shortly  It still has the hand-carved ivory grips he had made (monogrammed) while he was overseas. I had to reattach one corner of one grip...but other than that, no issues. Anyway, I'm looking for the best resource on it. The serial number (8067xx) indicates it's a 1950 from what I can tell, and that jives with the story of his FBI-agent brother giving him the gun before he shipped out for his first tour in Korea. Get this - he's actually looking for the original sales receipt, which he thinks he still has. Something like $37 is what he says it was, LOL. I saw on the Colt webpage they have some sort of pedigree papers available for like $75 - anyone know if it's worth it? It's not a museum piece by any stretch...but a nice, old gun with a lot of personal history that I'd like to treat with respect. It kept him alive while he was behind the lines...the least I can do is keep it in good condition. | ||
| Gunut75 |
If you ever plan to sell it, the papers will increase the value. If you DONT intend to sell it, the $75 may not be worth it. Then again, if you wait a few years, you may not be able to get those papers! Nice pistol dude! I would keep it, AND get the papers. | ||
| Aesquire |
A family heirloom with wartime history from the golden age of American Revolvers! Get the papers, treat it nice & shoot it from time to time. It's not a sculpture, (but it's still art) it's meant to be used. | ||
| Chadr81 |
I think the pedigree papers are well worth the $75, just because of the meaning it has to your father and you. I'm guessing you're not planning on selling it anytime soon, but if you do, it might increase the value a little bit. It's a family heirloom with history - get the papers and hold onto it all. | ||
| P_squared |
+1 on the papers. Even if you don't sell it, it's just that little bit more that adds to the family history of it once it leaves your hands to your child. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Oh yeah, definitely not selling it. I've had my eye on it since I was a kid because it was a "cool gun"...but now that I'm older (and dad's older) and I understand more about its past...it's definitely a keeper. And it'll get used. Properly, and cleaned. But it's not a museum piece, I know that Thanks all for the input! | ||
| Ourdee |
If you can get or have the leather holster and such, don't forget to care for it too. Protect it well. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yep, got the leather holster. Brass fittings are ...um...green and hairy at this point, but the leather is good and mold-free. It's dark brown/black now - dad says the Marines were giving him a hard time because the lighter leather made him...well, a target. So they dyed it for him. But yeah, it's a "kit", LOL. Sidearm, holster, and some rounds that I think are also from the '50s. Just wadcutters, and they look pretty good, so I'll use 'em for plinking at cans and see how they work. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Use "Never Dull" on them there rivets. Its quick, and works great. Maybe check it on another piece of leather first. |
