Colt SAA .38WCF

[CraigC]

Just picked up this 3rd generation SAA from the RugerForum classifieds. Tuned and stocked by Tom Sargis. The .38WCF is one of my favorite cartridges and I've always wanted a Colt in this configuration. The action is smooth as butter and if it's a good shooter I might have it engraved at some point.









Frame has some nice colors on it.



I've always drooled over the engraved, full blue SAA's in Doc O`Meara's "Classic Colt Peacemakers" book, along with R.L. Wilson's Colt books. Which is why I went that route with my Open Top and will do so again.

 

[mavracer]

Nice, I started out shooting a 1911 10mm for everything so I've always had a soft spot for the original 10mm

 

[horsemen61]

Awesome score

 

[v8stang289]

That SAA is one of the most beautiful guns I have ever seen. It is absolutely gorgeous. I love the blued steel with the case hardened frame and the wood. Congrats on an awesome find.

 

[BobWright]

Craig,

That is a beauty and well set off by those grips. No way would I let an engraver touch that!

Bob Wright

 

[bannockburn]

CraigC

I don't know Craig, that Colt looks mighty fine (especially with those grips!), just the way it is. Nice find and in .38WCF too!

 

[Lucky Derby]

Very nice. And those grips, wow! Personally I'd never let an engraver touch that. Too nice the way it is.

 

[StrawHat]

Can't wait to see it after it is engraved and refinished!

 

[J-Bar]

Another vote here for NOT engraving.

You would be gilding the lily.

 

[Dframe]

Nice acquistion. Beautiful gun. I particularly love the stocks.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'm with Bob.
I think she's perfect as is.

Just gorgeous.

 

[RainDodger]

Don't engrave it!

 

[DPris]

Craig,
No matter how many forums you post that on, you're STILL a DOG!!!!!!!
Denis

 

[huntershooter]

The case color and bluing are pretty nice on that one.
If you get it engraved, I can recommend Turnbull's for case coloring.
Here's a Lipsey's Ruger they did that turned out well:

 

[CraigC]

It's a nice sixgun and has nice case colors but that won't keep me from building it into what has been a dream gun for years. That is, an engraved 4¾" .38-40 in full blue with fire blued screws, color case hardened hammer & trigger and one piece ivory. Maybe a dovetail front sight too. Sargis' grips are well done but I don't care for the way he shapes them.

No matter how many forums you post that on, you're STILL a DOG!!!!!!!

Ha ha!

If you get it engraved, I can recommend Turnbull's for case coloring.

I like Turnbull's colors better anyway. I know some folks like Colt's muted colors but to me, they look out of place with their high polish bluing. IMHO, this is what a blued and case colored SAA is supposed to look like.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Very pretty. I wonder if the case hardening needs to be softened for engraving, or if an engraving cuts right through the hard outer layer.

If it wuz me I would leave it just like it is, but it is your gun, after all.

 

[CraigC]

It's a possibility it will have to be annealed first.

I wonder what folks consider to be a proper canvas for engraving, a beater??? It's a Colt SAA, they all look like that. The only other option is to order one factory engraved from Colt, wait 2-3yrs and pay three times as much. Or order one from Nutmeg, who gets them from Colt in the white, wait a year and pay twice as much.

 

[Eaglestroker]

I like Turnbull's colors better anyway. I know some folks like Colt's muted colors but to me, they look out of place with their high polish bluing. IMHO, this is what a blued and case colored SAA is supposed to look like.

Your right, it should look like a 44 Special

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

It's a possibility it will have to be annealed first.

I'm still curious. The colors of Case Hardening are quite fragile. They can mute over time, strong chemicals can erase them, even exposure to sunlight over time can dull them. Are you not concerned that if a heat process is used to soften the case, that the colors might be affected? Or would you have the frame re-casehardened after engraving?

This 2nd Gen was made in the late 1970s, I had it lettered but I forget exactly when it was made. You can see how muted the colors have become over time.

 

[CraigC]

The colors will be gone anyway because I'll have the engraver polish and Turnbull blue the whole thing. Probably charcoal blue, like the Open Top.

 

[Red Cent]

I wanna see the holster.

 

[CraigC]

I contacted Gouse and he said annealing shouldn't be necessary.