Colt 32020 WCF

Question
I have a Colt 32-20 WCF. Crome, 2inch barrel, Brown handles with the round metal insigna colt and horse picture at top of handle. Only marking are on barrel. Special 32-20 WCF. Serial # 216764. Could you tell me what year it was made and where I might find an ejector rachet for it? Thank You

Answer
Hi Mike.

To get an accurate history and value for your firearm I highly recommend that you refer to the Blue Book of Gun Values by S. P. Fjestad.  This book contains detailed history and pricing information for virtually every major firearm on the market including older models and obsolete brands.  It may also have the serial number data to help you determine the age of your Colt, but if not then you can contact Colt directly and they should be able to tell you. Colt's contact info is:

COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC
Customer Service Department
P.O. Box 1868
Hartford, CT
06144-1868   U.S.A.
Tel: 1-800-962-COLT
Fax: (860) 244-1449

The Blue Book is well worth the price (especially if you own more than one firearm) and it is generally used as the sole source for appraisals by gunsmiths, collectors, and dealers.  This book is updated every year to ensure that the values are always current so beware of older printed copies which are often sold at a discount but usually contain outdated information.

You can access the book instantly online at https://store.bluebookinc.com/Ecom/ProductDetail.aspx?Industry=1&id=62 or purchase it from any major book store such as Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc.  The price for either option is usually around $35 but I highly recommend the online subscription because you can get the information immediately plus check the site for updates at any time during the year.  If you don抰 want to pay the full price for an online subscription or printed book then you also have the option to download a single section of the book for a specific manufacturer.  The individual sections usually cost $5 or $10 but some of the sections are free.  Here is the link to purchase the value and history section for Colt:

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Downloads/SalesPageSplitCategory.aspx?product=8&id=248

And here is the link to some free serial number data which includes a section on Colt:

https://store.bluebookinc.com/info/PDF/Firearm/Serialize.pdf

You should also know there are many variables that significantly affect the value of any firearm and most of these details are impossible to discern without inspecting the gun in person.  The book mentioned above will educate you on all the details to look for and it includes many photos of real guns so you can learn how to distinguish between the finer points that can make a big difference in the value.  Once you have graded your gun according to the standard rating system then you simply look it up in the tables that are provided to see the current market value.  Any estimates that you get without a physical inspection are likely to be way off the mark in either direction so you need to do the research yourself or have an experienced professional appraise it in person to be sure you are getting an accurate estimate.

If you are certain of the exact manufacturer and model of your firearm and you have graded the condition accurately then you might be able to determine a fair street value by searching your local gun stores or the most popular auction sites to see what similar models are selling for.  Most auctions sites also allow you to search the closed auctions as well so you can see what similar items actually sold for.

http://www.auctionarms.com/
http://www.gunbroker.com/
http://www.gunsamerica.com/

There are also some gun dealers, pawn shops, and other retailers which post their inventory on the web but the sites above offer a pretty good chance of finding a similar gun since they are used by thousands of dealers across the US. If you suspect the gun has significant value then it may be worth it to pay Colt for research and a certified record of the origin.

If you don't want to buy the blue book or check the value online then I suggest that you take the gun to a local gunsmith or gun shop which deals with similar guns, or to a local gun club or range where they shoot similar guns.  Chances are high that someone there will know enough to give you some good advice and many of them will gladly do this for free, although keep in mind that their opinions may be biased if they are interested in buying or trading for your gun.

I am not aware of a parts source for that specific part but here are a few links to try:

http://www.coltparts.com/index.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=colt+revolver+parts

Good luck with your research.

Bob