.45 Colt cowboy gun

Keepin_Jeepin · November 29, 2012, 04:48 AM

So I have an old gun here I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it. Possible year, value, history, rarity, etc?

What caliber does it shoot? It is a .45 LONG colt, right?

Sorry I dont have better pictures. I havent even seen this gun in a long time its in my safe. I am pulling pictures out of a file on my computer from my last insurance inventory.

I do have high resolution if anyone desires better pictures.

Hawg · November 29, 2012, 05:41 AM

.45 Colt sometimes called Long Colt. Looks like the trigger screw is broken off. You need to get that fixed. Need the serial number to determine date.

highpower3006 · November 29, 2012, 07:33 AM

Yes it is chambered in .45 Colt (they never made a short Colt round). It is a post 1898 gun as it has the cross bolt cylinder pin retention system. It is rated for smokeless powder, but have it checked out by a competent gunsmith before you shoot it.

Baba Louie · November 29, 2012, 08:01 AM

Go here for date based on serial #
http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

Get it fixed when you can (you should)

Then, reinsure it for replacement value and place back in safe... after shooting it once or twice and cleaning it well?

UtopiaTexasG19 · November 29, 2012, 08:21 AM

Colt SAA (Single Action Army) and yours appears to have the original gutta percha grips.
Try out the Colt Forum for specifics. Looks to be a first generation produced after the black powder era but would NOT be safe to shoot with the more high pressure loads used by modern .45's. The loads it would shoot after being checked out by a competent gun smith would be considered "Cowboy" loads between 700-800 fps. I have my great grandfathers Colt SAA from 1902 and it is a great pistol to shoot....full of history.
http://www.coltforum.com/

towboat-er · November 29, 2012, 08:38 AM

Its a beauty.
The serial number will let ya know what year it was made.
http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

I dont know what it is worth. Here are some that for sale.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Col....cfm?cat_id=28

Jim Watson · November 29, 2012, 09:19 AM

Quote:

It is a post 1898 gun as it has the cross bolt cylinder pin retention system. It is rated for smokeless powder,

Do be careful about that.
Blue Book takes the popular concept that the cross bolt marks the transition to smokeless powder acceptance when introduced in 1896.
Flayderman says Colt recommended AGAINST smokeless powder in 1898 and did not include smokeless loads in their guarantee until 1900.

Bob Wright · November 29, 2012, 10:21 AM

(photos deleted)

Bob Wright

**Mike Irwin** · November 29, 2012, 10:37 AM

Ok, folks, this is NOT going to devolve into yet another argument about whether the term Long Colt is historically accurate or whether those who dare to use it are in league with Satan and make Baby Jesus cry.

One only needs to use the search feature to see the threads on that subject.

Hal · November 29, 2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

What caliber does it shoot?

I'm not sure - but - I believe that gun is a .454" bore size.

Wasn't there a change to .451 at some point?

rclark · November 29, 2012, 12:53 PM

Question: What caliber does it shoot? Answer: .45 Colt or even the .45 Schofield today. Depending on its age will depend on what powder should be safely used in it. Either way, it would be safe with a Blackpowder load pushing a .452-.454 250g bullet. Of course it needs to be fixed first and gone through to make sure it is still safe to fire.

Keepin_Jeepin · November 29, 2012, 05:12 PM

Great, thanks for the information guys!!

November 29, 2012, 04:48 AM	#1
Keepin_Jeepin Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2007 Location: Chelan Posts: 161	.45 Colt cowboy gun So I have an old gun here I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it. Possible year, value, history, rarity, etc? What caliber does it shoot? It is a .45 LONG colt, right? Sorry I dont have better pictures. I havent even seen this gun in a long time its in my safe. I am pulling pictures out of a file on my computer from my last insurance inventory. I do have high resolution if anyone desires better pictures. Last edited by Keepin_Jeepin; November 29, 2012 at 04:58 AM.

November 29, 2012, 08:01 AM	#4
Baba Louie Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2001 Posts: 1,552	Go here for date based on serial # http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html Get it fixed when you can (you should) Then, reinsure it for replacement value and place back in safe... after shooting it once or twice and cleaning it well? __________________ A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington, January 8, 1790, First State of the Union Address

November 29, 2012, 10:21 AM	#8
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	(photos deleted) Bob Wright Last edited by Bob Wright; November 29, 2012 at 07:03 PM.

November 29, 2012, 10:37 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Ok, folks, this is NOT going to devolve into yet another argument about whether the term Long Colt is historically accurate or whether those who dare to use it are in league with Satan and make Baby Jesus cry. One only needs to use the search feature to see the threads on that subject. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 29, 2012, 12:53 PM	#11
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	Question: What caliber does it shoot? Answer: .45 Colt or even the .45 Schofield today. Depending on its age will depend on what powder should be safely used in it. Either way, it would be safe with a Blackpowder load pushing a .452-.454 250g bullet. Of course it needs to be fixed first and gone through to make sure it is still safe to fire. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

November 29, 2012, 05:41 AM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	.45 Colt sometimes called Long Colt. Looks like the trigger screw is broken off. You need to get that fixed. Need the serial number to determine date.

November 29, 2012, 07:33 AM	#3
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	Yes it is chambered in .45 Colt (they never made a short Colt round). It is a post 1898 gun as it has the cross bolt cylinder pin retention system. It is rated for smokeless powder, but have it checked out by a competent gunsmith before you shoot it.

November 29, 2012, 08:21 AM	#5
UtopiaTexasG19 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 743	Colt SAA (Single Action Army) and yours appears to have the original gutta percha grips. Try out the Colt Forum for specifics. Looks to be a first generation produced after the black powder era but would NOT be safe to shoot with the more high pressure loads used by modern .45's. The loads it would shoot after being checked out by a competent gun smith would be considered "Cowboy" loads between 700-800 fps. I have my great grandfathers Colt SAA from 1902 and it is a great pistol to shoot....full of history. http://www.coltforum.com/

November 29, 2012, 08:38 AM	#6
towboat-er Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2011 Posts: 146	Its a beauty. The serial number will let ya know what year it was made. http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html I dont know what it is worth. Here are some that for sale. http://www.gunsinternational.com/Col....cfm?cat_id=28

November 29, 2012, 05:12 PM	#12
Keepin_Jeepin Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2007 Location: Chelan Posts: 161	Great, thanks for the information guys!!