An acquaintance has a flat top Blackhawk .357 he has offered me for sale. The serial number indicates manufacture in 1959. It has two issues. First; a previous owner decided to engrave his initials in the topstrap. While not poorly done, this obviously ruined its collector value. Second; the bolt does not rise to lock the cylinder, indicating a broken or missing bolt spring. Other than these two issues, the revolver appears very nice. Most of its original blue is intact, with only minor wear at the muzzle. I am not a collector and if I purchase the gun, it will be put to use; but I also do not like investing more money than I can get out of a gun. His asking price seems very attractive. Considering the issues it has, what would be considered a reasonable price for this gun.
Question for the collectors
- Thread starter TRanger
- Start date
CraigC
Hawkeye
The carved initials, even if done professionally, pretty much relegate it to project status for me. I would have to have it fixed and that costs money. While I was at it, I'd probably have it converted to a more useful chambering. I would have no problem paying $300 for your flat-top but only as a project gun. Maybe $400 if it was professionally done and otherwise in excellent, unconverted condition. Not difficult to find regular Old Model (`62-`72) project guns in the $300 range and I figure on $100 for a decent XR3 grip frame.
flatgate
Hawkeye
I agree with Craig but would add $50 to $100 since the gun IS a Flattop from the '50's!
After all, these guns were dropped from production in '62.
flatgate
After all, these guns were dropped from production in '62.
flatgate
Engraved in the topstrap? That would require rebluing of the gun at a cost of about $200, and then it is still a nice looking shooter. At a price of $300 you should be able to get your money back out of it, and At $500 if reblued, you should be able to resale and breal even in a couple of years. I'm afraid i would be upset that someone defaced the gun every time I saw the engraving and would have to get it reblued.
Qualify these comments with admission I am far from a collector. JMHO
Qualify these comments with admission I am far from a collector. JMHO
