Have my eye on a couple of colt diamond backs at a local shop, but I am not sure how to come up with a fair offer on them.


DB#1 - 22LR dated 1978, based on what I saw its 90+ percent but does not have its papers or box. 4in blued with wooden / gold medallion


DB#2 - 38spl dated 1969, appears to be 90+ percent as well. no papers or box. 4in blued with silver medallions and wood grips.



Any info on pricing would be helpful. hoping to pick them both up to add to the snake gun collection

I have found that with any of the original Colts snake guns you have two categories......shooters in good shape with no box and papers that are honest guns but are in 90% condition but have been well taken care of but have been fired some.
Then you have the collector grade that are 98% or better and have the original box and docs....and possibly ASNIB and only turned but not fired or fired little.
The value of the Diamondbacks follows the same pattern. Good shooters at say 90% or so condition but with no box or papers seem to sell for around $1700 to $1900 and the 98% guns with Box and docs range from $2100 to $2500 plus.
On paper .38's Diamondbacks are not worth as much as .22's but I have not found that to be true in shows or on the street trading. They seem to be about similar in value.
Here is some on GunsInternational. https://www.gunsinternational.com/search-results.cfm?qs_cat=&Quick_Search_Keyword=Colt+diamondback+&start_row=1&the_order=6

I have found Guns International to be much more realistic on comps than Gun Broker. GB pricing is oftentimes inflated due to the proliferation of dealers listing stuff. But that's just me.

Here is one that is a sale pending that kinda fits the description of the one .22 you are looking at.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/revolvers/colt-revolvers---diamondback/1976-colt-diamondback-22lr-excellent-condition.cfm?gun_id=103089101

Thanks, gunny, this is the range I had in mind. Wish they had papers, but they're both nice pieces

Absolutely! They sound damn cool. Hope you get them sir!!!

highvelocity said:

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Thanks, gunny, this is the range I had in mind. Wish they had papers, but they're both nice pieces

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In gunny's other thread he posted a link on how to get the papers from different manufacturers. Won't be original papers, but you'll have the history.

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3541637

thank you for posting. i could always get a replacement box and papers i suppose

Gung-Ho Serious firearm collectors that are making purchases, usually as investments, want to have the original " box and docs". But what that may actually be in reality is just original owners manuals, warranty cards, (if applicable) standard accessories that may come with the firearm like cleaning brushes, cleaning rods, etc.
The correct boxes, in good shape, are typically the most important item. Correct period boxes of how that particular firearm was originally packaged from the factory that has correct interior packaging components and end flap labels with matching model and matching serial numbers to the firearm printed or written on it is what is preferred.
It's not uncommon to find empty correct boxes for sale for multiple hundreds of dollars, depending on the rarity of the firearm.
Correct wooden cases/boxes that some firearms were packaged and shipped in will push that to even higher $$$$.
Usually you can find after market owner's manuals and other " in the box papers" for sale…..Along with the correct box accessories as well.
Correct period and type/size of boxes might be a little more challenging to find but usually are available if you are willing to pay the price.
I always tell folks to always keep their original boxes and papers that come with new guns they purchase because 30 years from now there is no telling what those original boxes and papers/accessories might be worth with the gun.
The " factory letters" just add provenance to how the original gun left the factory, serial numbers and date of manufacture. Simply put, factory letters just verify that the gun is real and that it's in its original configuration as it left the factory…and where it was originally shipped to.