What is this old six shooter

[U.S.SFC_RET]

A Friend of mine has an old Colt. The handle on the colt reads 1883 and has a cartouche, I believe them to be original. I would like to upload more pictures

 

[AlexanderA]

That's a very nice Single Action Army. The cartouche means it's an army-issued gun in .45 LC. Check to see if it has matching serial numbers on all the major parts.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

All Serial numbers match the gun. The cartouche states G L B I believe, hard to read. There are three letters on the bottom of the grips that state D.F.C. Whats a gun like this worth in working condition?

 

[eastbank]

a bunch, if mine I would spend the money for a colt letter before I thought about selling it. it I could well be into the thousands. looks like a fine piece of colt history. I don,t collect colt military single actions, but if I did I would want that one. eastbank.

 

[Scooter22]

You have a valuable gun. Do some research starting with Colt as Eastbank mentioned.. Thats in great shape for it's age and doesn't look messed with. Good luck.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Would anyone know who to write at Colt to obtain a Letter?

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, the guy's name is Paul Szymaszek, but you have to fill out the forms and SEND MONEY. A letter on a SAA is $100.
https://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Archive-Services

 

[eastbank]

and it will be 100.00 well spent, and will give you info on date made and when and where it was sent to begin its military history. it also may have been involved in the indian wars as they went into the early 90,s(wounded knee a one sided affair). eastbank.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

As always Jim Watson thank you.

 

[tark]

+1 to everything said so far. That hogleg is quite valuable . The visible screw heads look pristine, a good indicator. Too bad you don't live nearer, You could drive over to the Rock Island Auction Co. and they would go over it for you and tell you what they would expect it to go for at auction.

 

[BSA1]

Whatever you do don't let your friend "clean" the finish. Just give the gun a loving coat of gun oil.

 

[tark]

Whatever you do don't let your friend "clean" the finish. Just give the gun a loving coat of gun oil.

Excellent advise. Even if the bore looks rough. Squirt some oil down it and leave it be. Do not touch that gun. It is worth four figures, possibly higher.