Colt SAA - 38 Special - what did I find today?

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Wouldn't the purchase price be a good basis for insurance?


Unless there was only a trade to go by; and that trade value was turning out much lower than what I'd guesstimate the replacement value really is. :D
 
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Just talked to Paul from Colt. As supspected, this did not leave the factory as a 38spl., but we already knew that.

The gun was shipped to Hibbard Spencer Bartlett & Co. at the State Street Bridge main store in Chicago. Shipped on Sept. 4, 1906 in a shipment of 42 same type guns. Original caliber was 44-40; 5 1/2" barrel; blued finish. No stocks type listed.

Still on the hunt for did this fantastic refinish tuning job.


image_zpsb0572f28.jpg
 
STOP THAT !

You're making my guns feel like the red headed step child ! ! ! ! :D



At least I can take solace in the fact that the contrast is a touch high on this last picture.... yeah, I'm picking at nits just to ease my envy.... :D
 
As long as you don't lower the hammer from the half cock notch it'll all be okay.

With properly fitting screwdrivers, no harm in removing screws either.
The OP will want to buy this set
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...s/colt-screwdriver-set-prod25554.aspx?ttver=2

Or even this screwdriver for his Colt SAA.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...gle-action-screwdriver-prod25458.aspx?ttver=2

Both are good and it depends upon what type of screwdriver you like. (I like the wooden handles)

That revolver is a piece of art, not just a six-gun!
 
I know, I know, I know ..... Already?!?!? But even though I had every intention of keeping this around a long time, I've had an offer that I'm not sure any of us could refuse. You tell me .... please. What would you do? My SAA for BOTH of these:


1920 Commercial 1911 - 80%+ - all original:

image_zps2bad4686.jpg


1914 US Property 1911- 80%+ - Springfield barrel upgrade for WWII

image_zps53e4bdda.jpg
 
I have no idea what those guns are worth but if a collector is offering both those guns for your SAA, he probably knows it's worth more. ;)
 
Very nice looking revolver. I've got a Colt 38spl as well. It does not look as pratty as yours and has stag stocks. One of my favorite shooters. That is why it will never look that nice. Am thinking about getting one of the Turnbull SAs with a 7 1/2 bbl as well.
Anyway congrats on having one of the prettiest SAs I've seen.

Cheers,

ts
 
I have no idea what those guns are worth but if a collector is offering both those guns for your SAA, he probably knows it's worth more. ;)
That could be true. As I've been hit with a few offers since my original post, and after scouring countless pages on the net, I'm just not very confident I could sell the SAA for what I could purchase those two pieces for. Now of course they're completely different animals. My feeling is that SAA is worth it's top value to a small few people who want it for a specified reason .... a pimped out modified saa shooter. The vintage original pieces have a much wider collector base and will hold their value and probably continue to increase over time. It's not all about the money really, but that certainly solidifies things when it's all said and done.

If you can't tell; I'm going for it. And I have been given the option of hands on inspection before sending mine.
 
Are they worth $5000? Here's an example for perspective. Now, yours is not original and has a 2nd generation barrel and cylinder but this one has also has a new barrel. It might give you an idea of what a restored 1st generation Colt is worth and that ivory still adds at least $500.

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/store.asp?pid=37108

What are the other two guns worth? What do you figure your Colt is worth?
 
Craig,

No, they're not worth $5k, even in this market. But neither is my SAA IMO. It's not a Turnbull job; it's in a less popular caliber, it's not a brand new resto, and there's no way to proove who did the work on it until the exact person was tracked down and documents were provided. I'm guesstimating mine to be in the $2500-3000 range as sold by me, an individual. If it was coming from the one who did the work, then maybe more could be asked. I'm also estimating the two would be worth in the $3000+ range. This is mostly from viewing tons of previous auction results from the last few years on different sites.

Are you offering $4k? ;) I really do appreciate your help here. Good to know good people out there willing to help and watch out for others.

I may be all wrong. And if I take a bath on this, I'll regret it. But I hope I'm doing ok.



* On another note; I'll be getting access to the older gentleman's (that I got this saa from) other "really good stuff" when I personally deliver his holster rig. To him this didn't qualify to be in that group, so I'm excited to see what does!!
 
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The two Colt pistols have a collector's value in that they are original, and should you want to dispose of either one or both it might be easier (and probably more profitable) then trying to sell the one revolver.

The single action is exceptionally nice, but I'm not sure it would go for more then a similar one from today's Colt Custom Shop. If it was in that condition, but still original as it came out of the factory - well that would be something else.
 
Jarring notes are the front sight and the "fire blue" screws. The screws are beautiful, but Colt SAA screws didn't look like that. It sure looks like Turnbull work.

Jim
 
Jarring notes are the front sight and the "fire blue" screws. The screws are beautiful, but Colt SAA screws didn't look like that. It sure looks like Turnbull work.

Jim
I agree, it sure does look like Doug Turmbull's work alright.

To the OP, you never did say what you paid for that revolver. I have a feeling it was considerably less that what those two 1911 pistols are worth. IMO if you think the deal is right then it's right, especially since you are probably turning a good profit on the deal.
 
I also would check on those grips; they are also too good to be true, plus there are several indications that the frame and straps might have been in worse condition that they would now appear. Picture #15 indicates a possible problem area.

BTW, that 1914 Colt pistol has WWII plastic grips. No big deal, but it is not original.

Jim
 
No, I'm not offering $4000 but I would gladly pay $2500 if it was a 4¾" or 7½" .44Spl or .38-40.


I'm not sure it would go for more then a similar one from today's Colt Custom Shop.
Sorry Fluffer but I can't go along with that. Not by a long shot. You know damn good and well that any 1st generation Colt is worth more than a new one in virtually any condition.
 
Sorry Fluffer but I can't go along with that. Not by a long shot. You know damn good and well that any 1st generation Colt is worth more than a new one in virtually any condition.

Not necessarily.

I will speculate that the original condition of this revolver wasn't all that good, especially the barrel and cylinder (including chambers and bore). If both had been in reasonable shape the restoration work would have been done "as is" rather then to go to an out-of-period .38 Special set-up. That could have brought the value before restoration to $1,200 or less. Obviously I am not including the ivory stocks in this - and I will presume for argument that they are genuine.

I occasionally see "junk grade" SAA's as low as $600.
 
I've never seen a 1st generation SAA under $1500, in any condition. Even those that have been refinished with mismatched parts. The work that has been done to this sixgun alone is worth at least $1200, depending on how involved it was. It's got $500-$600 worth of finish work alone. It'll be at least $400-$500 to fit one with a new 2nd generation barrel and cylinder. It is also painfully obvious we're looking at real ivory that has been fitted to THIS frame and that is nothing if not $500. Sorry folks but even in the world of custom guns, you don't take a hit like that. Most are selling for near replacement cost and I don't see anyone replacing this one for less than $2500-$3000 at an absolute minimum.

It doesn't matter if Turnbull did the work or not. The work speaks for itself and that is all that matters.
 
I would do that trade in a heartbeat. In today's market, the 1911's are going for big bucks. Add to the equation that the SAA is refinished, and to me, it;s a no-brainer.

Yes the Peacemaker is nice, but it is always going to be a refinished gun. The .45 autos are in original condition.
 
Sorry but there's a HUGE difference between a refinish and a restoration. Most folks would assume incorrectly, as you have.
 
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