Antique 41 Cal 1889 Colt Revolver With 4 1/2" Barrel. Value??

[albayo]

I recently came across an Antique 41 Cal 1889 Colt Revolver with 4 1/2" barrel . I am currently working on a trade for it, but am unsure of the value.
The outside looks rough with some pitting on the outside of the barrel, trigger guard and on the bottom of the back strap. The bore and inside of the cylinder is extremely clean as good as most modern used firearms I have owned. Most of the bluing is gone, there are some small chips missing on the very bottom of the grips next to the back strap. The action is smooth but lock up has quite a bit of play. It comes with about 50 new brass I looked it up and the FRT# is 17566-26.
Do I need an RCMP letter if I acquire it? What should I be looking in Value?

 

[fiscus]

You do not need any special letter from the RCMP to posess an antique firearm. Antiques are exempt from paperwork (registration, license etc), which is basicly what the letter says. Also it is a good idea to read up all the relevant laws / regulations that apply (or do not apply) to antiques.

 

[rgbai]

I just bought the same gun a couple of days ago on gunbroker. were you
wondering if you needed the rcmp letter to import it?

 

[albayo]

No I was wondering if I needed an official letter to own it or sell it to someone else.
It has a three digit serial number which makes first year of production.

 

[dingus]

No I was wondering if I needed an official letter to own it or sell it to someone else.
It has a three digit serial number which makes first year of production.

That Number you see on the Latch is not normally the ser # the ser # is in the butt strap of the gun.
but all 1889 DA Colts are pre 1898 no mater what the ser# is.

No you dont need no antique letter to own it or to sell it.
Some guys just like them so they can prove to others (like COs or police Ect) the guns pre 1898.
A gun like yours where all the model 1889s are pre 1898 a letters not so imporant to have.

 

[starpuss]

if you want all the parts to make it a 1892 let me know. i have lots of spare parts.

as for Value i would say 600-1200 max! if a good shooter in that shape.

if you want a good gun to shoot Dont shoot the 1889. buy a 1892 or mod a 1889 to 1892

 

[41 Colt]

Value, being the less desireable 1889 without the cylinder lock and in poor shape $600-$800 max IMO. I remember one in similar condition on here a few years back go for $600.

 

[dingus]

The 1889s are more Rare tho than the 1892s.
They should climb up in value down the road and if its working right a 1889 locks up pretty good.
Theres lotsa 1892 about but not so many 1889s
Yours is abit rough lookin tho still i wouldnt alter it to a 1892.
a 1892 has a better cylinder locking system but the 1889s have a nice clean look with no stop notchs.

Heres a picture of a custom 1892 i got comeing soon.
its a 6 inch barreled DA 41 LC 1892

 

[Tyockell18]

^Now thats a ###y gun, nice find dingus!.

 

[starpuss]

That Number you see on the Latch is not normally the ser # the ser # is in the butt strap of the gun.
but all 1889 DA Colts are pre 1898 no mater what the ser# is.

No you dont need no antique letter to own it or to sell it.
Some guys just like them so they can prove to others (like COs or police Ect) the guns pre 1898.
A gun like yours where all the model 1889s are pre 1898 a letters not so imporant to have.

Not all the time are 1889 looking guns antique.

Some times guys toss the 1889 cylinders on 1892 frames to complete a gun to sell them off so still check the s/n

(i have done this on 2-3 of them i sold. better to sell a complete gun then a box of part sometimes. (and i like to keep the 1892 parts) , but they where still antique.)