Colt Frontier Six Shooter

[dwink]

I just inherited a Colt Frontier Six Shooter. It is a 44/40, 7 1/2in barrel, nickel finish, box is from Colt custom shop and also has a letter of authenticity saying it was built in 1983 and who it was built for. The revolver appears to have never been fired and was in a plastic bag. Is this revolver still made?? I would like to shoot it( thinking of using it for deer hunting) but am not sure I should. Any idea as to value?? Any and all input would be appreciated

 

[VanGoghComplex]

Guns are made to be shot. If you have no pressing need for money, lube that wheelgun up and take her to the range!

A quick Google search shows results from $600ish to $4000ish. I think you may consider having it professionally appraised.

 

[yugorpk]

A long barrel gen 3 frontier six shooter NIB. probably in the $2000 to $2400 range. You could deer hunt all day with it or sell it and buy several deer hunting pistols that you don't have to worry about. Thats the thing about heirlooms. Hard to do what makes sense sometimes. Iv'e got a bunch of guns like that taking up space in the safe. Good thing about Colts though. Theyre like money in the bank as long as you don't mess them up or die before selling them.

 

[CraigC]

IMHO, inherited guns that are still NIB are not heirlooms, they're just inherited property. They're not worth any more than whatever someone is willing to pay. To me, what makes an heirloom is dad, grandpa, uncle or a close father-in-law using a gun for a great portion of his life before passing it down. That is what gives it value, well beyond any dollar amount. I can't tell you what to do with your property but were it me, I'd shoot the piss out of it and carry it every chance I had, without a single worry about what some faceless collector might pay for it when I'm gone. Third generation Colt SAA's aren't particularly collectible anyway.

 

[Barry the Bear]

As far as value I to have seen varying prices as to hunting the barrel length is great , but i seldom see .44-40 "hi-speed" loads to hunt with most of the stuff out there is low power cowboy stuff.

If you reload then of course (for deer at least) the .44-40 is a good round although with the semi-bottle neck case it could be a problem, but getting a 225 gr slug to about 950-1000 fps should put bambi out . If it was me Id strongly consider re chambering it to a .44 special conversion . Then you got something alot easier to load deer thumpers in .

 

[dwink]

frontier six shooter

Thanks---Knowing the guy I inherited from he'd say shoot it---the dutch in me says leave it in the safe. I am familiar with the colt snake guns and have several but never owned an SAA

 

[Barry the Bear]

Thanks---Knowing the guy I inherited from he'd say shoot it---the dutch in me says leave it in the safe. I am familiar with the colt snake guns and have several but never owned an SAA

I never owned a colt saa , id shoot the heck outta it , ill probably never own a true colt (ruger vaqueros and ubertis for me) so go out and shoot the thing.

 

[Jim K]

"Colt Frontier Six Shooter" was the designation originally given to single actions in .44-40. AFAIK, a "Colt Frontier Six Shooter" (not "New Frontier") made in 1983 would have been a custom gun and could be worth considerably more than a standard production model. Colt did make some "repros" of the original guns, complete with etched panels, in 2008.

In addition to evaluating the gun, I would research the original owner; if it is a person of some prominence, the value could be considerably enhanced.

Jim

 

[yugorpk]

Fixed sights or target adjustable?

 

[Jim Watson]

a "Colt Frontier Six Shooter" (not "New Frontier") made in 1983 would have been a custom gun and could be worth considerably more than a standard production model.

Well, it could have COST more than a standard model.
Whether it has a present resale price much more than the next, I could doubt. Look at the thread on commemoratives.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well the shoot every thing you have no matter what bunch is on board, but I would urge some caution. Two things come to mind very quickly.

The combination of caliber (.44-40), finish (nickel plate), and 7 1/2" barrel was not commonly made, and its value should not be determined by current values of past cataloged options. The total number in existence (not counting commemoratives) is probably in the low hundreds and maybe substantially less.

While it is very decorative, nickel finish can peel and flake if you shoot it, especially around the cylinder's front face. Even the Colt company advises that this particular model is made primarily for collectors, and they can be expected to sharply drop in value if they are fired. Of course those that are insisting that it must be shot have nothing to lose.

In addition, at the present moment the Colt Company is in the middle of bankruptcy proceeding, with the final outlook completely unknown. What ultimately happens might have a substantial affect on your revolver - in an upward direction - if it remains unfired.

Also with it's relatively crude fixed sights, and chambered in a somewhat difficult to find cartridge, the revolver has little to recommend it for the purpose of deer hunting. If this is the primary use you would put it to, you would be better off to sell it to a serious collector, and use a part of the return to purchase a Ruger Super Blackhawk, chambered in .44 Magnum, with a 7 1/2" barrel, and easier-to-see/fully adjustable sights, with a blued finish.

Unlike the Colt, it is designed and made for the purpose you have in mind.

In any case before heading for a shooting range with the gun you have, I suggest you call and discuss this situation with someone at the Colt Company. I am sure you'll find what they say is far different then some of the advise you are getting here.

 

[highpower]

Interesting discussion. I have a Frontier Six Shooter that was made in 1984. The frame is a copy of the original blackpowder style with the screw holding the cylinder pin in rather than the spring loaded cross bolt.

It was still NIB when I bought it. I have shot it some, but it still looks new. The secret to not putting a turn line on the cylinder is to cock it completely and then let the hammer down. If you drop the hammer from half cock the cylinder bolt will leave a nice turn line.

I am not so sure a .44-40 is all that great a hunting round, there isn't a factory loaded hunting round out there for one, and everything I have read about them says that the cases are thin and not recommended for hot loads.

 

[bannockburn]

dwink

I suppose a lot may depend on if youre more of a collector or more of a shooter. There are a lot better choices in revolvers for hunting so you could always sell this gun to fund another more suitable gun that you want. If you're a collector you might want to have it appraised and then put away for safekeeping.

 

[J-Bar]

I don't want to give Old Fuff a heart attack by agreeing with him, but he has given you excellent advice on this revolver. It should be appraised by someone you trust and who is knowledgable about Colt revolvers.

 

[dwink]

colt fontier six shooter

Thanks again for every ones input. Sounds like I better do some more research on the revolver. I will try and add a picture. I think I better use my S&W 29-5 for deer hunting this year.

 

[dwink]

colt frontier six shooter pics

I don't have the greatest camera for this.

 

[Old Fuff]

I don't want to give Old Fuff a heart attack by agreeing with him

Fortunately this doesn't happen very often...

But thanks anyway.

 

[Old Fuff]

Nice revolver. The stocks appear to be rosewood, which is unusual.

I will also point out that this is not a commemorative; But rather an individual custom shop order made for a particular person. As such they're is no relationship in terms of value between it and regular cataloged versions.

Get photocopies or scan the original letter that came with the gun, and then be sure it's kept in a safe place. In the future you might not be able to duplicate it.

 

[Malamute]

I'm somewhere in the middle. Some things perhaps should be left alone if truly rare or valuable. However, if it means something to have the gun your friend left to you, and you want to put it to some "practical" use, then I'd say do it. Its a little different than the average single action Colt, but not spectacularly so. Is it the ideal deer gun? No. It would certainly do it with style and class though. Elmer Keith wrote that his friend Ashley Haines had worked up heavy hunting loads for his 44-40 Colt pistols, but it doesnt require anything super powered to kill deer.

The "practical" concerns of "is it what somebody would go buy to hunt deer with", or what its monetary value is to sell and go buy something else, those would have less weight than the sentimental value of a gun your friend left to you. If it would make you smile to use it as a deer gun, and let you think of him while doing it, then that may be more valuable. Some bright orange fingernail polish can help the sights be easier to use in the field, and wont hurt the gun.

I had a nickel 44 spl Colt. It was one of my all time favorite guns I've ever had. I shot it quite a bit, never had the slightest problem with the nickel. If I could have another one, to help recapture a part of my misspent youth, it would be at the top of the list. The book or street value would be the last thing on my mind.

I had a friend that collected original Sharps rifles. He shot and used them, hunted with them some. He took care of them, but used them.

 

[dwink]

Thanks again for the input. That is my problem I like to collect them and shoot them. I also know the friend ( his family) I inherited from liked both also. Which ever I do hunt or just look at it in the safe I will think of him. Kinda hard not to think about someone you hunted with for 40 years. He probably had 40 handguns and I can't for the life of me remember when or where he got this one. I did find some Winchester 44/40 ammo in a 200gr soft point.

 

[Malamute]

The regular 200 gr JSP (not the so-called cowboy) loads are supposed to run about 975 fps in a 7 1/2" barrel. That should be adequate to bring a deer home with.

 

[CraigC]

Of course those that are insisting that it must be shot have nothing to lose.

We have to have a financial stake to have an opinion? Or is the opinion that it should be kept in a safe and wrapped in a diaper the only noble, valid one?

Nonsense, I never recommend anyone do anything I wouldn't do myself. I honestly do not understand how folks expect to use firearms and not lose any money on them. I could give a damn less what some faceless collector will think my guns are worth when I'm gone. I want to enjoy MY life and MY guns while I'm alive and that is how I approach it. Collectors are obsessed with monetary value. I am not. ALL guns depreciate when they are used. Colt's are no exception and they don't depreciate any faster with use than anything else. So it really makes no more sense to keep a $2000 Colt unfired than $2000 worth of guns from any other makers.

As far as heirlooms, as I said before, from my own perspective, guns that are kept pristine and never used carry little more value than whatever someone is willing to pay. I didn't inherit any guns from my grandfathers. When my own father passes, I'll surely get some guns that he has never used, because he owns way more than he'll ever get to use. Which do you think will carry more sentimental value to me, the guns he's never used, or the old heavily worn High Standard HD Military (in a floral carved Heiser) that he taught me to shoot with when I was 4yrs old and used more than any other firearm?

There's really no need to have a 3rd generation Colt appraised. That's just a waste of money. These are not incredibly rare guns and only bring a slight premium over more common offerings.

Here's an expired listing for $1695:
https://www.gunsamerica.com/991457534/COLT-SAA-FRONTIER-SIX-SHOOTER-3RD-GENERATION-44-40.htm

Here's one that went for $1400 back in 2012.

http://www.icollector.com/Third-Gen...ntier-Six-Shooter-Revolver-with-Box_i13752823

Here's one that sold for $2000 at auction less than two weeks ago.
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...kel-plated-third-generation-1920-c-90f4a50860


So now we have an idea of what it's worth. Future collectors will place more value on a NIB example. Your heirs will place more value on the enjoyment YOU gained from using it. You have to decide for yourself where its value lies. In using and enjoying it, or in keeping it new.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

IMHO, inherited guns that are still NIB are not heirlooms, they're just inherited property. They're not worth any more than whatever someone is willing to pay. To me, what makes an heirloom is dad, grandpa, uncle or a close father-in-law using a gun for a great portion of his life before passing it down. That is what gives it value, well beyond any dollar amount. I can't tell you what to do with your property but were it me, I'd shoot the piss out of it and carry it every chance I had, without a single worry about what some faceless collector might pay for it when I'm gone. Third generation Colt SAA's aren't particularly collectible anyway.

+1000

Well said CraigC!

Mirrors my own opinion.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

If you are interested in a deer gun and don't really care what happens to the piece, listen to Old Fuff. There is good wisdom in his post.

If this is really and heirloom that you are not going to sell (I would be homeless before I sold some of the heirlooms in the safe), get to having a good time with it.

Not sure if 44-40 is a great deer cartridge, though. Could it do the job? Probably, but there are better options out there. I believe somebody mentioned Ruger.

 

[CraigC]

On the .44-40, it ain't ideal but it will get the job done within a reasonable range of say, 50yds. Handloading opens a lot of possibilities. Factory loads are anemic in deference to the old guns. In modern guns, a 200gr at over 1000fps is easily done without exceeding standard pressures. It depends on how they configured these guns. The .44-40 is "supposed" to use a slightly smaller .427-.428" bullet but many manufacturers have simplified things by going to standard .430" .44Spl/Mag bullets. Which would allow the use of more effective 240-250gr bullets. If not, a 200gr will get the job done. I killed a nice little buck two or three years ago with a 200gr cast hollowpoint at around 800fps out of a 3rd Dragoon .45Colt conversion and got a full pass through on a double lung shot.