Detective Special

[dfletcher]

Sorry if posting this is poor form, but I'm either amazed or ignorant as hell (and willing to be educated) regarding this auction - is there any good reason for this price?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76433616

[ETD1010]

stab in the dark... but I'd say because it's a) a colt and b)an old one

[BigDogatPlay]

Let's say it's unfired, LNIB and it does certainly have all the original pieces (box etc.). The finish in the close ups shows signs that it has been handled / wiped down quite a bit so I'd have to question the veracity of the description on the auction to a degree but (equivocation alert) it is very hard to determine from photos.

Either way, that price is inflated if you ask me. It's a fairly common model and not really a rarity. That this one is assumed unfired is a premium, but I think that price is out of line.

[L-2]

It's what the owner wants for it, reasonable or not.
I suppose the seller is hoping for that one person who'll pay anything to own that particular model in that condition.
I noticed nobody bid the first time and no one's bid on the next auction, either.

Now, here's a rhetorical question which doesn't need answering, but for future consideration: How is this a "California Handguns" issue as the seller is out of NC?

[Python2]

I have one, but I will not sell mine for even that price.

[Mr. Beretta]

Very nice DS. Worth $1200 ? Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn't pay that much for it but somebody else might.

L-2 makes an excellent point too. That gun can't come into CA unless its to a FFL or leo.

JMHO

[dfletcher]

I realize the gun can't come in - unless there's an LE with more $$$ than brains. But I think the underlying approach of posting something hoping the uninitiated may bite is applicable in CA, maybe more so since some guns that are quite common outside the state are hard to find in CA.

[mzimmers]

One of the good things/bad things about gunbroker are that the insertion fees are so minimal, and the relisting fees are zero (I believe) that vendors aren't discouraged from putting things up at high prices, waiting for someone to bite. I'm not saying that this auction is necessarily an example of that, but it could be.

[Stormfeather]

Prices on Colts have been over inflated for years since colt was supposedly going to stop making handguns. Since that industry rumor came out, Colt prices flew thru the roof, I even bought a few myself before the prices went seriously high. Unfortunately, it never came true, and the prices stayed up there. The same thing happened with Winchester rifles. We just got our shipment in of Winchester for the year when 3 days later the press release came out that they were discontinuing production of the rifles. I bought some of our old lever actions, and bought some off caliber levers as well. Then I went to the Reno gun show and saw the same guns we sell for $429.00 being sold up there for $1200! This vendor had them all laid out in red velvet wooden cases to make it look all pretty and "rare". I asked the guy why was it so expensive and he said "well son, winchester doesnt make these any more, so they are collectors items now" I laughed and handed my card out to about 15 guys standing in line there waiting to buy one and told them I will save them about $800.00 and to come see me. Needless to say he was pissed! To this day we still have a ton of winchesters at $429. Dont buy into the hype is all. Is this particular gun worth what hes asking? Probally not, but its a open market, and hes free to charge what he wants for it. Theres a sucker born every minute! Ive got some old Colt Police 6"-'ers I will sell ya for $400! How many ya want? Ya know, colt doesnt make handguns anymore, so these are sooper dooper rare!

[xenophobe]

It's a factory nickel Colt DS. Not a common gun by any means. Find one for cheaper, and in that condition. Guns like this will make you money in the long run. $1200 seems a bit high, but if you got a bluebook of gun values, look it up, add 20% cause all the BBGV Colt prices are always a year or two behind the current market.

[ivanimal]

It's a factory nickel Colt DS. Not a common gun by any means. Find one for cheaper, and in that condition. Guns like this will make you money in the long run. $1200 seems a bit high, but if you got a bluebook of gun values, look it up, add 20% cause all the BBGV Colt prices are always a year or two behind the current market.

Nickel does bring a premium, I had not even seen a DS in that finish till last year. I have since bought 2 one for 450 and the other for 600 neither had box or papers. I would pay up to 750 for one now. 1200 is a dream at this point. Ask us again in a year, Colts are going through the roof.