Father in laws SAA #904

[nainc]

Hey everyone,

My Father-in-Law just informed me that the Colt Single Action revolver that he's owned for 40 years has a frame serial # of 904. He had previously thought that the serial number was 130-thousand something because the trigger guard had been changed by Colt.

He spoke over the phone with Colt the other day, and they're actually having to go back to their paper records to find the history of the gun. They're going to call back in a week or two with the gun's history.

Until then, does anybody have any recommendations or information for me on what he should do, or where he should go with the gun to get it appraised? What do you think it's worth? I did see the sticky at the top of the forum. I'll be trying those guys out, but there's not a chance that will happen until I can get to his house to take and upload some photos.

Any and all advice/information is appreciated!

Thanks.

Jeremy

 

[Jim K]

Pictures will be necessary for any real help. A gun made up from mixed number parts normally would have little collector interest even if in good condition, something that would be unlikely with a "mixmaster". But the low frame number could indicate that the gun was one of those rebuilt and worked over by Colt under an army contract and those are valuable since the parts mixing was done at that time.

Does the frame have "U.S." on the left side above the trigger guard?

Jim

 

[nainc]

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the reply. I'll have to wait until we visit again, as the in-laws are not tech-literate. I'll check on the US on the frame. So that would basically make it an Army redo by Colt?

 

[Jim Watson]

Mixed numbers, US mark, and a 5 1/2" barrel are pointers toward the "Artillery Model" produced by overhaul at Colt in 1894-5 and Springfield Armory in 1898. Colt kept a lot of numbers together but SA worked on more guns and did not bother.

There is more to it than that but that will give you a starting place.

 

[nainc]

Colt Photos

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replys. My wife was kind enough to take some good photos for me this week. I don't know if that gives you any extra info or not. Thanks in advance for the info!

Jeremy

 

[Jim Watson]

CAUTION, I am not a Colt collector or expert...

It sure LOOKS like an Artillery model from the 1898 refurbishment at Springfield Armory.

The bad news is that it has been heavily buffed and reblued which I do not think was part of the Army refurbishment program.

 

[nainc]

Thanks Jim,

I'll repost here when we get the letter back from Colt.

Jeremy

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

nice colt you have!

 

[kdave21]

dont forget to post results of colt letter, inquiring minds want to know...