Colt Model of 1909 Revolver (US Army)

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?
:icon_scratch:

Thanks

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

http://i62.tinypic.com/rbgl76.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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Originally Posted by Johnny P

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.

http://i62.tinypic.com/rbgl76.jpg

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

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Originally Posted by joem

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

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I think you are confusing the Colt New Army-

http://www.imfdb.org/images/6/6f/ColtNewArmy03.jpg

With the New Service which is what the M1909 is-

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rvice_1370.jpg

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.

http://i57.tinypic.com/14n3ecw.jpg

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.

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

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

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Originally Posted by Tuna

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

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What is your 98% value? As noted on mine, it is $2800, and you have to get down to 90% to get below $2200.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Did you figure out that you didn't have a Model 1909?

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Originally Posted by Johnny P

Did you figure out that you didn't have a Model 1909?

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It hasn't been out of the safe in a couple of years. I guess I should shoot it more often.

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Originally Posted by joem

It hasn't been out of the safe in a couple of years. I guess I should shoot it more often.

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Don't worry. I have never shot my Model 1909, and I still remember everything about it.

Mine book is $1000 lower across the board for the Army. Now the Navy is $3500 for 100% then $3100 for 98%. Does this agree with yours Johnny?

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Originally Posted by Tuna

Mine book is $1000 lower across the board for the Army. Now the Navy is $3500 for 100% then $3100 for 98%. Does this agree with yours Johnny?

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Yes, that agrees with mine. Note the page I copied from mine in post #12.

This sale is 14 months ago but a good comparable. 1909's are increasing at a greater rate than the guide indicates in my opinion.
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/12040423

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Originally Posted by 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%.

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Hi Johnny
What do you think a 1909 USMC in 75% condition with 75% USMC Holster would sell for today?

The price curve is the steepest when you drop from the !00% condition (if such a revolver exists) through the next few percentages, but tends to level out more as you past the 90% condition. Nothing but my opinion, but I would think that a Model 1909 USMC in 75% condition would be in the $3000 range. I don't really keep up with the market on leather, but I would think the holster would be in the $1000 range.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Johnny P

The price curve is the steepest when you drop from the !00% condition (if such a revolver exists) through the next few percentages, but tends to level out more as you past the 90% condition. Nothing but my opinion, but I would think that a Model 1909 USMC in 75% condition would be in the $3000 range. I don't really keep up with the market on leather, but I would think the holster would be in the $1000 range.

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Thanks Johnny that makes sense.