Old Colt SAA revolver with history

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http://www.appliedinternet.com/guns/colt-saa-1st-gen/

There. Looks like the same hammer in that picture as on my gun.

As for the finish, I don't know. It wasn't a collectors gun untill my dad got it and I am sure that is obvious from the pics. I believe the front sight has not been replaced, I think it was ground down in the back for some reason as the back where it curves up is shinny and has no finish. If someone could help me with determining wether the barrel is original or not I would really appreciate it.
 
3rd Gen hammers have a flatter flat at the top point....one photo looks like there's flat possibly there, but admitted it's hard to tell from photos supplied....also, the hammers were originally case-colored, and that one looks polished...and the front sight has been altered....these latter two all qualify as "modified"....the gun is worth buying several books on Colt SAA's, and it's very hard on the internet to post/type every possible permutation of what to look for to determine originality....I suspect your gun is 100% original parts with hammer polished and front sight modified, BUT, the gun would need to be disassembled to verifiy assembly numbers, barrel/frame marking and SN placement, correct hammer/cylinder, etc.....
 
Tallpine, my apologies....there are so many posts here retelling old wives tales on guns, that a guy could make a full-time job of bubble-bustin'....and I'm aplogizing for assuming your post was one of those.....I believe all the early successful US metallic cartridges had a brief stint as folded-head before more sophisticated brass drawing techniques came into play....but this is just an assumption on my part.
 
The hammer is not polished as there is still some remnents of finish there, it is just worn like the rest of the finnish on the gun.
 
Tallpine, my apologies....there are so many posts here retelling old wives tales on guns, that a guy could make a full-time job of bubble-bustin'....and I'm aplogizing for assuming your post was one of those.....I believe all the early successful US metallic cartridges had a brief stint as folded-head before more sophisticated brass drawing techniques came into play....but this is just an assumption on my part.
Click to expand...

Apology accepted. :)

Actually, my question was based on the fact that .45 Colt is not considered a good rifle cartridge (and apparently was never offered in rifles back in those days) because of the narrow (and at that time, fragile) rim did not reliably hold up to rifle extraction.

But the .44-40 was a rifle cartridge that was also available in civilian SAAs (correct?). But if as a previous post seemed to indicate, the .44-40 is just a .45 Colt necked-down to .44 (.429?) then it would seem to have the same rim issues, especially in the pre-1900 or so version.
 
After you find out what it is worth, shoot the darn thing so you can truly see what it was like to own one of these way back when. I'd obviously stick to light loads and have it checked over for safety first by someone trustworthy, but part of the line of history with guns like these is firing them, IMHO. A gun that is borderline unsafe is one thing, but if it is safe to fire and you have all the documents (and insurance!) I would go out and blast a few bottles with it to walk in the shoes of your forebears.

Again, IMHO.

gp911
 
Drop by www.coltforum.com

for a few more opinions.

A letter from Colt is the way to go. It will cost you $100.00 but is well worth it. The link to the Colt historian is available at the Colt website. The letter will tell you the date the gun left the factory, where it was shipped to, the original caliber, original barrel length and any other special features of the gun. If your gun differs from that it's because it was altered by one or another owner. If the alteration was done at the factory it may mention that.

tipoc
 
TallPine, the comment about the 44WCF and 38WCF being the same basic case as the .45 Colt has me sorta scratching my head.

The WCF cases certainly have a much more actual rim designed for case extraction on Winchester rifles. The .45 Colt rim was basically vestigal until modern times, sufficient to keep the cartridge headspace in the SAA, but that's about it...different rim, different taper, the WCF cases have a neck, but otherwise the same? My Suzuki is the same bike as my Harley, the Suzuki just being downsized?
 
RancidSumo, as I said earlier, it's just plain hard to go just by photos, especially ones lacking detailed close-in shots of parts, markings, etc.....from the sound of it, it still sounds like an original gun (aside from front sight mod), worth $2000 min., but no way to tell for sure without detailed photos and disassembly to verify markings both interior and exterior....and don't forget to shoot that gun....
 
RS, just another quick shooting note....the VP mark was applied circa 1900/SN192,000 and the gun is completely safe with 13,000cup (not psi) loads....circa 1905/SN261,000 and all subsequent can handle 20,000psi loads....but I'd stick to the earlier-type loads, which are humdingers anyhow, that basically presaged 10mm auto ballistics.
 
Appears to be a nice, original SAA. The 7 1/2 barrell length is usually a desireable plus. It's a smokeless powder as opposed to a black powder frame. The SAA Colt "Compendium" is a great little book that gives detailed information and helps you determine originality of various parts. One thing you can check is taking off the grips to look for the s.n. that is usually scratched inside. (usually last four digits) The grips should have an exact fit and feel along the edges. The .38-40 is a better than average caliber in this era gun. The .44-40 a bit more desireable to some collectors. I have the same caliber piece in a 4 3/4" bbl in about the same condition. I value mine highly but then we tend to value or own guns a bit high... If it has the original holster or holster rig that can add significantly to the value. I know the complete Eastern Colorado history of mine from the original owners son and it came with a beautiful floral Heiser period holster rig and they can go for nearly as much as the gun. Also came with the fellows spurs...
Don't underestimate the value of your history of the gun and get it down on paper to stay with the gun.
 
I'd add that the front sight is modified and that's not unusual. I've even seen them with silver coin fashioned sights replacing the standard. Depending on the year and this appears to be as previously suggested it should slope at the front as it does and then straight down in the rear rather than curve in.
Colt letters are pricey but worth the bucks. Used to be $50. but inflation caught up. $2000.00 baseline is close but from a casual glance its probably another $500 to $1000. depending as suggested on correct parts, e.g. hammer, grips, bbl, cylinder, bore condition, etc., etc.. If it is all correct (sans the front sight) and timed adequately, then shooting it can be great fun; especially with that length of barrel.
 
What I would do with this gun is get better documentation:

  • Get a letter from Colt.
  • Write down the history in the family. Get family members of the older generation to sign it.
  • Track down your Great-grand father's history -- pictures, his obituary, and so on.
Keep all this with the gun -- and it will about double in value.
 
+1 and then some on what Vern posted.

You need to have the Colt letter. Do you know anything about the other one? Were the two in sn sequence? Try to get the family side that has that one to letter it.

FYI a set of fitted ivory for a Colt SAA nowadays runs @ 500 USD.
 
I know who has the other and I am in the process of writing him a letter. I will see about getting the letter soon. I am not sure exactly when I will order it but I will make sure to get one. Thanks for all the information.
 
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