Posted: 2/16/2008 3:39:05 PM EDT
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My sis and elderly mother like to go to garage sales. They have standing orders from me to buy any revolver that isn't obviously rusted into a solid mass as long as it says "S&W" or "Colt" on it somewhere and costs no more than $100. That's about as much money as I'm willing to throw away sight unseen. Well, this strategy just netted me a Colt Cobra, serial 417xxLW, in the ".32 Colt N. P. Ctg" chambering. That last part is OK; I like .32s and I have a couple of others (though they are autos). The unshrouded ejector rod puts manufacture before 1972 and the serial number puts the date of manufacture around 1955 according to my source. Condition is what I'd call semi-usable, pending cleanup. There are light traces of rust on all the steel parts but, with one exception, nothing that won't come off with some chemicals and scrubbing. The one exception is the cylinder. The rear of the cylinder has, again, light rust everywhere that goes into a couple of the chambers. One, though, is particularly bad. I'd call it "lightly pitted" for the first quarter-inch or so. It'll clean up and be usable with some work but this is the sort of thing that would make a collector sniff, make a face, and toss it back on the table at a gun show. It bugs me that the left side plate doesn't fit flush with the frame; there's just the slightest bump where they meet. I see no evidence of improper driver use on the screw heads and have no reason to believe the side plate has ever been off; this ill-fitting, based on my extremely limited experience, seems like something that probably came from the factory. The single-action trigger pull is lovely - crisp and light. The double-action pull stacks pretty badly but not enough to make me think there's anything wrong. Cylinder lock-up is notably nice. It's absolutely solid with no discernible movement in any direction. All in all, I think this is a perfectly reasonable acquisition for $100. I'm wondering about some things, though. Keep in mind that I'm not a collector; I'm strictly a user. None of my sources (I've only checked a few online; I have no good Colt reference books) list the .32 as a chambering. If .32 is less common, I'd assume the gun would be worth more to a collector but I'm also assuming no collector would want a revolver in this sort of condition. (Please feel free to tell me if my assumptions are bad.) So did I get a good buy? What should I do with this thing? With a complete refinish (and maybe rechamber to a longer cartridge like the .32H&R or .327?) and some decent grips, I would consider this a fine little carry gun. Is that a reasonable course of action and, if it is, does anyone have a 'smith they'd recommend to do the work within 100 miles of Houston, Texas? Or have I just demonstrated complete cluelessness from the beginning? Any thoughts are welcome. Ben |
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You've represented some great forethought in enlisting your relatives to assist in your And a good deal you did get. Sure, it's rusty, but it doesn't sound too bad for a shooter. There's nothing particularly rare about the .32 Colts. They made a bunch of them, and back in the day it was a popular caliber. The .38 Sepcial eclipsed it, so they get pushed to he side by many users, and since there are manhy still around, they don't get ultimate collector attention. Basically the .32 caliber doesn't do any harm nor help in value to a collector, and it's not as generally accepted as a carry gun today over the .38 specials. I have a couple .32 "D" frames, a 3" Cobra and a 4" Police Postivie, both of which were converted to .32 H&R mag. Numrich (Gun Parts Corp now) made a run of .32 H&R cylinders by rechambering original .32NP cyliders for the .32 H&R. Conversion quality is going to run the spectrum, since many bought the parts and just "threw them on, because there's nothing to it". Some few knew what they were doing and they are done well. I don't think you'll really hurt it's value if you convert it. I'd have a good gunsmith do it though. At least you aren't starting with one someone has already screwed up by doing it poorly. You would have to pay for the conversion. Given the gun's condition, that might not be the perfect "investment" either. I mean it's not going to effect your value, either way. So you're sinking more money into something for no return other than being able to shoot .32 H&R. I'm a huge .32 H&R fan, but I'd think twice on a covnersion based on cost. I'd leave it just the way it is and shoot it. .32's are still easy to buy. The story of how you obtained it and how cheap it was kinda has a value of it's own. Anyway, your Mom and Sister did good! They get the stamp of approval in my book. You need to take them to dinner! |
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To which I will add the following. I strongly doubt the side plate was a factory mis-fit. Colt polished the side plate and frame as an assembly specifically to insure they were a perfect match. This was especially well done in the 50's. I suspect the plate may have been removed improperly since a mis-fit is a very common sign of a Billy Bob at work. Second, I know nothing about the .32 M&R Magnum or the new .327 Magnum since they came after I retired. I would question if an aluminum frame revolver like the Cobra is appropriate for these hotter rounds. 50's Cobras are not rated for ANY use with +P ammo, so I'd ask a current expert if the gun would be safe with the newer ammo. |