Colt SAA .45 Colt in stainless steel with 4-3/4" barrel?

[MCMXI]

A local gun shop has a Colt SAA in .45 Colt with a 4-3/4" barrel. According to the shop, the gun is polished stainless steel and was ordered from the Colt custom shop. It's brand new, never fired and they won't allow anyone to turn the cylinder to avoid marking it. I was able to handle it and it's a beautiful revolver. It feels very comfortable in the hand, more comfortable than the USFA Rodeo they had. I can't find any stainless steel Colt SAA revolvers on the Colt website so is it likely that the revolver is nickel plated? They're asking $1699 for the Colt which seems like a good deal if it is indeed a custom revolver in stainless. If it's nickel then the price is just ok. Anyway, it's a beauty and I'd like to know more about it.

Thanks.

 

[dfariswheel]

I don't think Colt has ever made a stainless SAA.
I'd suspect some sort of plated finish.

Before paying that price, I'd want a Colt factory Historical Letter saying that the finish is a real factory job, and just what it is.

 

[Old Fuff]

I agree with dfariswheel.

A custom shop revolver would come with paperwork identifying it as such, and there would be no reason to handle the gun. Before spending a cent call Colt's Customer Service Department with the serial number and ask them to confirm the story. If the seller is telling the truth he won't object.

Because each and every part would have to be individually made, a true stainless Single Action Army would cost a lot more then the quoted asking price.

 

[MCMXI]

Thank you both for the good advice. I'm going to call on Monday and talk to one of the assistants and see if he'll give me the serial number. If I have time I may even drop by to look at the paperwork that must be in the box that the revolver was sitting on. It didn't even occur to me to ask about that when I was there ... I think I was under some sort of spell!

My first thought was that the revolver was nickel plated but the inside of the barrel has a grey appearance rather than a typical shiny finish ... it kind of looked like grit-blasted stainless.

Anyway, it sure is a beautiful piece and I've already started to sow the seeds of desire in my wife's head.

 

[Old Fuff]

If the revolver is sitting on its box, check of an end label. The label should contain such details as the caliber, barrel length, finish, and model number. If you have the model/stock number Colt could quickly identify what it was.

It is not impossible that Colt has introduced a stainless version of its S.A.A. revolver, but it is unlikely such would have happened without some kind of public announcement,

 

[rcmodel]

No such animal as a stainless steel Colt SAA!

It is either the standard Nickel finish, or perhaps a custom shop electroless nickel or hard chrome. (Although I haven't heard of them doing that either.)

rcmodel