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1921 Colt Thompson For Sale on GB, SN 569


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A very early 3 digit Colt! I took a quick look and noticed what may be a problem with the barrel. The index mark on the barrel collar is either missing or not aligning properly. If interested, proceed slowly...

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It would be interesting to know if there is any sign of the serial number stamp on the breach end of the barrel/chamber. I believe they are sometimes visible without removing the barrel and would be expected on a three digit serial number Gun. Anyone know who Howard Turner is?
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It would be interesting to know if there is any sign of the serial number stamp on the breach end of the barrel/chamber. I believe they are sometimes visible without removing the barrel and would be expected on a three digit serial number Gun. Anyone know who Howard Turner is?

 

I really like your thinking!

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I don't think that's a witness mark at 1:00, it looks like a reflection of something dark on the shiny metal, which will form a line since it's a cylinder shape.

 

The 3:00 witness mark looks like it was struck with a chisel, you can see the metal is upset.

 

If you look at the index line on the receiver, you can see the end of it is also slightly fubared.

 

Someone set a chisel on the index mark and the barrel fin and gave the chisel a solid whack with a hammer, buggering the receiver a little and marking the fin.

 

Should have just left it alone. Kitchen table gunsmithing.

 

I would bet dollars to donuts that the barrel is a replacement, installed by Herbie Bonehead in 1977.

Edited by buzz
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Please do ask, but I will continue to trust my eyeballs over whatever the seller claims.

 

If that receiver index line is not buggered up with a chisel, I am a monkey's uncle.

 

You can easily see that the chisel point was way wider than the original index line, and you can see where the end of the chisel rested because the line is offset and deeper.

Edited by buzz
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Agree with the buggered receiver line and replaced barrel views.

The actuator knob has a rounded 28 look, and the finish is perfect, better than the rest of the gun. A top view would be helpful.

I don't know who Howard Turner is either, but at least he confined his vandalism to the buttplate.

Edited by mnshooter
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Even with a replacement barrel, given the present market, and assuming all else is correct and matching,

 

I would very surprised if this one doesn't sell on the first listing.

 

Low three digit number, condition doesn't look terrible, and starting sell price of $35k

 

Originally sold to the Columbus Georgia Police Department in May, 1921..

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maybe.

 

it's got a replacement barrel and some light pitting

 

how would that compare in value to the average WWII 28A1 ?

 

in my mind, a franken-colt is about the same as an arsenal rebuilt 28A1.

Edited by buzz
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It would be interesting to know if there is any sign of the serial number stamp on the breach end of the barrel/chamber. I believe they are sometimes visible without removing the barrel and would be expected on a three digit serial number Gun. Anyone know who Howard Turner is?

 

There is a bunch of Howard Turner's pick the most exciting one and run with it.

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I think Colt Chopper has got the right idea, as usual.

One might get the idea from reading all the comments that a Colt with a replaced barrel is worth less than a West Hurley.

In my opinion a Colt with all West Hurley parts is still a historically significant subgun.

On the other hand a West Hurley with all Colt parts is still just a West Hurley.

Jim C

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I don't see where you get the west hurley stuff from.

 

It seems to me that this gun occupies the twilight zone between collector item and shooter.

 

A Colt missing the original barrel and possibly some other expensive parts and with some condition issues is pretty far down the totem pole of Colts.

 

Colts tend to get purchased by hardcore gun collector types, the kind of guys who put a very high premium on condition and originality.

 

I don't envision one of those type guys getting too excited about this gun.

 

but we shall see

Edited by buzz
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If.... The barrel is colt and correctly installed... My opinion is it wouldn't dramatically lower the value. Yes it would if a military barrel or West Hurley was installed.

A correct colt barrel replacement is better in my eyes than a bulged barrel

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if all the guts are there and correct i think its worth $35k even with a WW2 barrel....its a shooter grade colt.....the lowest ive ever seen a colt was $32k and it was missing 1/2 the parts....for $35k your getting a lot of gun and hopefully it has everything else correct

 

if i were in the market right now id consider bidding on this....i looked into several $35k colts when i was in the market...none perfect but then again its -$10k

Edited by huggytree
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