Value of a Colt Viper?

CarryTexas · 01-23-2013, 07:26

A friend recently inherited a Colt Viper. He is interested in selling it, but needs to determine the value first. GunBroker has a couple and they are going for a considerable amount of money. However, those include the original box and paperwork.

This one is just the gun and apparent aftermarket grips. No box or paperwork. I am not sure how much that would affect the value.

This gun seems to be pretty rare.

Your help is much appreciated!

fnfalman · 01-23-2013, 09:34

It was rare because it was only made for like a year back in the late 1970s and got discontinued because of poor sales. Essentially it's a long barrel Cobra (aluminum frame). I suppose for a Colt collector it might worth a lot, but not to me. A long barrel D-frame just doesn't make any sense. Depends on the condition of the gun and lack of paperwork & box, I'd say maybe $500-600 range.

texmex · 01-23-2013, 12:19

I think fnfalman is exactly correct. It is a nice revolver and appears to be in good shape, but not all that valuable.

CarryTexas · 01-23-2013, 12:35

It amazes me that the box, papers and grips can make a $4000 revolver into a $600-$700 revolver.

The information that I have found says there were only 4000 of these made.

fnfalman · 01-23-2013, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarryTexas

The information that I have found says there were only 4000 of these made.

Because nobody wanted to buy it. Not too many people want it now. I'm a Colt D-frame fan and it doesn't do squat for me. If I can buy it at a decent price then I would but I am not losing any sleep over it either.

Bren · 01-23-2013, 14:37

CarryTexas, tell him to take it to an expert for appraisal.

A. They can be valuable, because they are rare and there are plenty of Colt collectors who need one, to have one of each "snake" revolver.

B. They can also be fake - I read the gun parts corp. sold off the left-over Viper barrels and people bought them and put them on Cobra or other D frames, so the serial number isn't right for a real Viper. (You can buy the barrels on Ebay right now)

C. The internet, and especially Glock Talk, is a bad palce to get advice of this kind.

If I was your friend, I'd hop on Ebay and try to find an owners manual and box for it - I see a box label and some manuals on there right now.

paul45 · 01-23-2013, 15:21

CarryTexas, please go to the ColtForum revolver section and ask the question.

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/

You will get expert advice from Colt revolver collectors who know the facts and are in tune with values.

You might find that a 500-600 valuation to be quite low.

Also do not buy the fake labels and such on ebay.

got2hav1 · 01-23-2013, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul45

CarryTexas, please go to the ColtForum revolver section and ask the question.

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/

You will get expert advice from Colt revolver collectors who know the facts and are in tune with values.

You might find that a 500-600 valuation to be quite low.

Also do not buy the fake labels and such on ebay.

Absolutely go there for Colt advice. They are the experts and it can probably be sold there as collectors are always looking for Vipers.

bac1023 · 01-23-2013, 18:21

I'm not a huge fan of the Viper, but they do sell for some high prices.

The box and papers do help quite a bit.

bac1023 · 01-23-2013, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by texmex

I think fnfalman is exactly correct. It is a nice revolver and appears to be in good shape, but not all that valuable.

I'm not sure about that. I think it can still bring good money, maybe $1500 or so.

Put it on Gunbroker with a low reserve and a long auction and see what you get out of it.

fnfalman · 01-23-2013, 21:01

Next thing you know, people would want to buy the Commanding Officer for some outrageous sums because they're "rare".

Some of these Colts had short manufacturing runs for a reason.

bac1023 · 01-23-2013, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Next thing you know, people would want to buy the Commanding Officer for some outrageous sums because they're "rare".

Some of these Colts had short manufacturing runs for a reason.

I'm not saying it was a good revolver by any means. It's all collector's value.

jfost11 · 01-23-2013, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

I'm not saying it was a good revolver by any means. It's all collector's value.

Exactly. It's worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Just like those that want a Glock 25 or 28 just to have them all. Never mind the fact that for a gun of it's size, a .380 version is absolutely pointless in this country other than finishing out someone's collection.

It may be the most pointless Colt ever made. However, the least popular Mercedes Benz is still a Mercedes Benz while a mint Escort is still only a Escort.

Bren · 01-24-2013, 06:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Next thing you know, people would want to buy the Commanding Officer for some outrageous sums because they're "rare".

Some of these Colts had short manufacturing runs for a reason.

Collecting doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how good the gun is - a P45 Liberator is the biggest POS that will fire a bullet, but it's worth as much as 3 of my Glocks.

fnfalman · 01-24-2013, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bren

Collecting doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how good the gun is - a P45 Liberator is the biggest POS that will fire a bullet, but it's worth as much as 3 of my Glocks.

The Liberator has significant historical values.

But people pay whatever they want to pay for whatever they want to have.

donmor53 · 01-24-2013, 13:58

Post the info and pics on Colt Forum. Those guys are great and will give you an unvarnished view of just exactly what you have and what it's worth in the current Colt market.

Who knows...it may well be the missing piece in some Colt collector's collection...

Unk · 01-24-2013, 14:24

OR you could go to page 630 of the 33rd issue Blue Book of Gun Values and see mfg 1977-1984 with a 70% specimen at $750 or a 100% at $1495,

Bet the Colt Collectors group could give you a "real" number.

Best.

bac1023 · 01-24-2013, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unk

OR you could go to page 630 of the 33rd issue Blue Book of Gun Values and see mfg 1977-1984 with a 70% specimen at $750 or a 100% at $1495,

Bet the Colt Collectors group could give you a "real" number.

Best.

Blue book value doesn't mean squat to collectors. A gun is worth what someone is willing to pay.

CarryTexas · 02-17-2013, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnfalman

It was rare because it was only made for like a year back in the late 1970s and got discontinued because of poor sales. Essentially it's a long barrel Cobra (aluminum frame). I suppose for a Colt collector it might worth a lot, but not to me. A long barrel D-frame just doesn't make any sense. Depends on the condition of the gun and lack of paperwork & box, I'd say maybe $500-600 range.

Well, it sold

Colt Viper

The guy that bought it has bought 6 of them. All priced from $1000 - $2800

*ASH* · 02-19-2013, 02:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarryTexas

Well, it sold

Colt Viper

The guy that bought it has bought 6 of them. All priced from $1000 - $2800

wow

FreeAmerican · 02-19-2013, 05:56

About a year ago there was a "what Colt to invest in" thread. I suggested a Viper but I think he got an Anaconda or 125th Anv SAA or something. Should have listend

CarryTexas · 02-19-2013, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by *ASH*

wow

Agreed...

From looking at it you would never know how valuable it was. The bluing was excellent, but other than that it looks like any other revolver out there...

paul45 · 02-19-2013, 09:39

This is exactly why I suggested the OP go to ColtForum.

countrygun · 02-19-2013, 12:17

It goes to show that you can't apply a set of rules across the board on guns. They have to be taken as individual models and variations and need to be evaluated by someone who knows the market for that particular gun.

For example, I have gun in my collection that is certainly, technically, the rarest gun I own. It is a variation of a popular gun with shooters and collectors but the values on the "standard" models are such that there are few collectors that have large enough collections they feel compelled to have this little known variation. The last one sold on the internet went for good money but it took a long time to find buyer/collector who wanted it.

Joshhtn · 02-19-2013, 12:39

Very nice! Little bit more than $500-$600!