1908 Colt Bisley 45

[thedogdidit]

I have had a passing interest for some time now in owning an old Colt. Particularly a Bisley model. Having difficulty in pricing one though. Haven't found one similar on GB in the archived "completed" section. It is in a LGS that I haunt somewhat infrequently. Found this one today when I went to pick up a transferred new Vaquero that I bought on here last week from @seasterl. Excellent transaction with him!
This Colt was born in 1908. They have a $2600 tag sitting on it. They offered to take one of my revolvers in trade and $475 on my end. He won't come down any more.
The revolver that I would be trading (IF I do) is one of the 1997 engraved ones with the faux ivory grips and the "CCH" on the frame. New in box, and unfired with all of the papers etc. The one below is a pic off the internet for reference. Mine is buried in the safe.
Your knowledge and opinions would be most appreciated. Unsure of the value of the Colt. Finish as you can see is not that great, but..... what do you think should be placed on the Colt?
Should I make the trade, or walk?

Edited to say see post #7 for more explanation. It defines my question more clearly. Thanks again folks!

 

[azleite]

I have had a passing interest for some time now in owning an old Colt. Particularly a Bisley model. Having difficulty in pricing one though. Haven't found one similar on GB in the archived "completed" section. It is in a LGS that I haunt somewhat infrequently. Found this one today when I went to pick up a transferred new Vaquero that I bought on here last week from @seasterl. Excellent transaction with him!
This Colt was born in 1907. They have a $2600 tag sitting on it. They offered to take one of my revolvers in trade and $475 on my end. He won't come down any more.
The revolver that I would be trading (IF I do) is one of the 1997 engraved ones with the faux ivory grips and the "CCH" on the frame. New in box, and unfired with all of the papers etc. I think I have the shipper too. The one below is a pic off the internet for reference. Mine is buried in the safe.
Your knowledge and opinions would be most appreciated. Unsure of the value of the Colt. Finish as you can see is not that great, but..... what do you think? Should I make the trade, or walk?

Sorry if I missed it, what caliber is the Bisley?

 

[pawncop]

The barrel has 45 Colt. Second picture.

 

[thedogdidit]

Sorry if I missed it, what caliber is the Bisley?

45

 

[Johnnu2]

I'm no math wizard, but it seems like they are willing to give you $2125 for your Ruger. Assuming the Colt is reasonably priced at $2600 (?), I'd jump on the deal. Take this with a grain or salt bec. I'm not a collector, but $2125 for your Ruger appears very high to me. Why not ask your question over at the Colt Forum...??? They will tear down the Bisley, but you may come up with a few morsels of info.

J.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

Well, keep in mind that anything and everything marked Colt is WAY overpriced.
You're paying 30% for the gun, and 70% for the name and the nostalgia.
But yeah, if he's offering you $2,100 for that Vaquero in trade?
Well...That's just a no-brainer trade deal IMO!

 

[thedogdidit]

I appreciate all of the answers that I have received so far. I realize numerically speaking that it sounds like a great deal. I just have zero clue as to what value to place on the Colt. As can be seen in the photos, it is not in the best condition aesthetically speaking. Functionality is also a concern. "Appears" to be ok in the hand. But have not done a detailed disassembly.

The Vaquero. Asking price for that particular one is HIGHLY overinflated on GB. $1500-2+K is the typical ASKING range, but none of the completed transactions reflect that price. I did purchase mine on this forum for $1000 but was happy and comfortable to do so. That was before knowing what the "asking" market for this model is.

So in reality I would be into the Colt at $1500.
1K paid for the Vaquero+ 25 for background check & transfer fee+ $475 on my end.
So, the real question is, is the Colt a good purchase at $1500?

 

[thedogdidit]

Well, keep in mind that anything and everything marked Colt is WAY overpriced.
You're paying 30% for the gun, and 70% for the name and the nostalgia.
But yeah, if he's offering you $2,100 for that Vaquero in trade?
Well...That's just a no-brainer trade deal IMO!

I appreciate your response. I think I might'a explained my thought process a bit more in post #7.

 

[contender]

Well, your Vaquero has an estimated production of either 1500 or 1750 guns. (I'm not sure of the barrel length.) They were a distributor special to have the cylinder engraved & inlaid like that.

If you were to do the deal,, as mentioned,, you'd be into the Colt at $1500.00.

Me PERSONALLY,, I'd pass unless I got a better deal. The Colt looks well used,, and w/o handling it & checking it out,, I'd be skeptical.

 

[thedogdidit]

Well, your Vaquero has an estimated production of either 1500 or 1750 guns. (I'm not sure of the barrel length.) They were a distributor special to have the cylinder engraved & inlaid like that.

If you were to do the deal,, as mentioned,, you'd be into the Colt at $1500.00.

Me PERSONALLY,, I'd pass unless I got a better deal. The Colt looks well used,, and w/o handling it & checking it out,, I'd be skeptical.

The revolvers match in caliber, and 4 5/8" barrel length. After sleeping on it last night, I am still going back and forth on this deal. Numerically speaking it feels like a good deal. A smart one even. I feel like both are Niche market revolvers.
The Ruger is a safe queen that I don't get to fire. And the price they're giving me is much higher than I believe it to be in reality.
The Colt feels like I can at least recoup my money, and possibly a few bucks to boot if I were to resell in the future. Plus, I get to shoot it. I am balking at the dishing out the additional money though.

This may come down to the flip of a coin.....

 

[Huntfish918]

IF the Colt's is solid, jump on that deal.

 

[Bisley nut]

My 2 cents-I would pass on this particular one at that price. This one appears to be possibly acid washed as well as have a couple other red flags.

There are much better examples out there for not much more money with actual finish left and original grips. Not on GB though….,Just takes a little patience for the right one to come up.

 

[Neon Vernon]

My 2 cents-I would pass on this particular one at that price. This one appears to be possibly acid washed as well as have a couple other red flags.

There are much better examples out there for not much more money with actual finish left and original grips. Not on GB though….,Just takes a little patience for the right one to come up.

Acid washed could explain why I was puzzling over the look of the frame, thinking it could be an iron frame but the cross latch post dates that.

 

[DerekR]

I don't know, but that is a very cool Colt. I love a gun that shows it was used.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

I know nothing about Colts , but that Ruger would be awful hard for me to part with IMO.
Good luck with your coin flip . As long as you wind up happy is all that matters.
Best,
Terry

 

[usmc69]

Go to this site and ask these folks. https://www.coltforum.com/forums/1st-generation-colt-single-action-army.116/ They will have an answer for you. If it hasn't been putz'd with, it should be worth more than $1500.00. If it has been then that also may be a good price. Helped a friend sell a 1873 Colt SAA that was in the last buy the U.S. made in 1891. He got $8,000.00 for it in about a day.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

Was it originally plated? It looks shiny inside the loading trough, as well as a few other areas I can see.
I've seen a number of antique revolvers that have that frosted appearance after the plating has worn off.

 

[thedogdidit]

I believe it to be a good deal. Maybe even a great one. But I decided to pass on this deal.
Added is the link to this exact gun just in case anyone on here is interested in making a deal on it. This link says "sale pending". It no longer is as I spoke with him about my passing on the Colt. It just has not been updated online.
The owner of the shop is Terry Jewel. Good guy.
Tell him Sean referred you and maybe you can get a better deal on it.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...olt-bisley-model-45-colt.cfm?gun_id=103604398

 

[thedogdidit]

Was it originally plated? It looks shiny inside the loading trough, as well as a few other areas I can see.
I've seen a number of antique revolvers that have that frosted appearance after the plating has worn off.

I really am not sure. I added a link to the gun that has more detailed photos of it.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...olt-bisley-model-45-colt.cfm?gun_id=103604398

 

[eveled]

That has to be the prettiest hammer ever put on a revolver.

 

[thedogdidit]

That has to be the prettiest hammer ever put on a revolver. View attachment 104868

I absolutely agree 100%