Colt .475 Wildey Magnum

[Alucepluv]

There is a very rare firearm for auction on Gunbroker. It is a .475 Wildey Magnum with the logo of Colt's Manufacturing Company. Only 15 remained at Colt, apparently, but 100 were supposed to have been produced. This is number 3 of 100, serial number 4595. In 1999, Wildey, F.A. approached Colt about manufacturing a line of pistols. Some were produced as samples and sent to Colt for approval. The partnership was never approved, and the pistols Colt had were sold. This gun is one of them. For those who collect rare items, this would be one to look into.

For the most part, it is a standard Wildey manufactured pistol. The main difference is it has the Colt logo instead of Wildey. The asking price is a bit high, but not outrageous.

I noticed the seller is a BEEMER1. It wouldn't be the one on here now, would it?

[BEEMER!]

Yes, that is my pistol set up for sale. 

There are only about 15 of them and when was the last time you saw one for sale?

The 10", 45 Wildey Magnum barrel in itself is seldom seen.  It is a rare and very unique set indeed.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=542402573

[BEEMER!]

Here are a couple of old cached photos that have been floating around the internet for years.  These were taken at the 2006 SHOT Show and were on display in the Wildey Booth.

It is my understanding that the serial #C-016 shown never went to Colt and is in Wildey Moore's possession or the Wildey Company's possession.

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[Alucepluv]

I've never heard of such an item until you posted it on Gunbroker.

In looking at Wildey auctions on the site over the years, many don't sell over $5,000.00 asking price...even engraved ones.  Some of the Cheshire manufactured pistols may on occasion due to their rarity.  I only have one engraved handgun, a C.O.P., which I purchased on Gunbroker for around $1,300.00 a few years ago.  Obviously, quite smaller then an engraved Wildey.  The price was a little high, but not bad.  I expect an engraved C.O.P. to market at between $800.00 and $1,000.00 during the period.  Blue Book values normally don't include engraved firearms, but I don't expect the prices to be drastically higher than ones that aren't.  One exception would be the use of gold inlays.  I'm not an expert, though.

I was looking at some of the Holland & Holland firearms on Gunbroker as well.  Heh, one can buy a luxury car for the price of those.  Royalty guns, I assume?

[Captain O]

Jeez, Louise! Colt?! Really?! How ridiculous! Wildey is starting up again and thier prices will be through the roof. Nice, but unless I am hunting with the thing, it's not worth 13 months of rent. No way on earth!

[Alucepluv]

I just noticed there is a bid on it, but does not meet the reserve price yet.