Colt Model of 1909 Revolver (US Army)

[Mike Josephic]

I've been looking at these for some time now and prices seem to be all over the map. For example, on GB there are four for sale right now, in fair to excellent condition with prices ranging from $2,100 to $4,500. The "Blue Book" says $1,500 for a 95% condition. Now I know that the Blue Book is sometimes not true to reality, but what
would be a realistic price a very nice example in 90%+ condition?


Thanks

[Johnny P]

Blue Book neither buys nor sells, but for $1500 I would certainly buy a 95% Model 1909. Just my opinion, but I would think that a 90% is going to be closer to $1750.

[Tuna]

Are you sure your looking at the right 1909 model? The Blue book lists the Army model at $2250 for 100% and $1000 for 90%.

[Johnny P]

Are you sure you are looking at the right Model 1909? My Bluebook, the 33rd Edition, lists the Model 1909 at $3200 in $100%, and that is a steal.

[joem]

I haven't looked at prices for a while but that seem very high to me. I don't remember what I paid for my 1903 vintage but it wasn't anywhere close to that.

[Johnny P]

I haven't looked at prices for a while but that seem very high to me. I don't remember what I paid for my 1903 vintage but it wasn't anywhere close to that.

You must be thinking of another revolver. The order for the Model 1909 Revolvers wasn't placed until late December of 1908, and the first were shipped in May of 1909.

[Tuna]

Johnny what does your book list the Navy and the marine versions at?

[Johnny P]

Navy - 100% = $3500 and 95% = $2600.

USMC - 100% = $4000 and 95% = $3200.

Either one of those pistols would bring double that in 100%.

[Tuna]

That is the same as mine. But the Army is a lot less then yours. Same book but different values??????????

[joem]

You must be thinking of another revolver. The order for the Model 1909 Revolvers wasn't placed until late December of 1908, and the first were shipped in May of 1909.

Mine looks the same and I bought it listed as a 1896 army. Close inspection showed a faint date of 1903 inspected by RAC.

[JBinIll]

Mine looks the same and I bought it listed as a 1896 army. Close inspection showed a faint date of 1903 inspected by RAC.

I think you are confusing the Colt New Army-



With the New Service which is what the M1909 is-

[Johnny P]

JBinIll has it correct. The Model 1909 caliber was .a slightly modified .45 Colt, and your pistol is a .38 Colt.

To Tuna, this is on page 625 of the 33rd Edition of the Blue Book. If yours are different, one of us has a misprint. The percentages from left to right are 100%, 98%, 95%, 90%, etc.

[JBinIll]

From my experience many sellers using a Blue Book look at the $ prices and decide the per cent of finish based on the $ price they want whether there is any finish on the gun or not.LOL A 90% rating may only be worth half the 100% and 10% finish wear isn't much.

[Johnny P]

It has been my experience that the highest priced percentage of finish on a collector pistol is the last 1%.

[Tuna]

Johnny, My page is the same except for the 100% being 2200 instead of 3200. One of us has a misprint. lol