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Old July 30, 2010, 09:36 PM   #1
Hardy
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A "Colt Peacemaker" needs critique

Serial # G or 632428A on frame, Colt pat 1871
July 2 72 Jan 18 1975 Great shape bought in mid 80's new. Maybe shot 50 rounds+/- since. Pristine. Is this worth sellin or keepin. 357 Mag!! Not sure of actual value (Kinda- but not sure enough) but thought you might want to look at it and advise I tell you, it's a bad boy in my book : I believe it's a 3rd but I have not yet looked it up in the "Gun Bible."



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Old July 30, 2010, 10:16 PM   #2
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Nice looking gun. Value currently is around $1300. If you don't need the money I'd keep it as it is only going to appreciate.
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Old July 30, 2010, 10:30 PM   #3
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Jeez thanks I was figuring around $1000. but Marshall Dillon shot a man facin him down the road at the beginning of Gunsmoke with one. By the way -who was that man? damn good trivi ques! but that man did shoot first. Bet the Smokin Gun might know that one. I don't
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Old July 30, 2010, 11:23 PM   #4
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It is probably S32428A which would place it after 1993. The serial numbers in the mid-80s ran with SA as a prefix, eg SAxxxxx.

Colt is your competition. Brand new Colt SAAs sell new for about $1200. The latest SAAs are usually better quality than the Colt SAAs from the '80s and '90s. You would be lucky to get $1000 for yours, but that still represents a good retained value nonetheless.

Now, if the serial happens to be 63242SA, then you are talking about a 2nd generation SAA from the early '70s. If this is the case, your gun would have more value, perhaps in the $1300-1700 range.

Last edited by Model-P; July 30, 2010 at 11:30 PM.
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Old July 30, 2010, 11:43 PM   #5
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Model-P I was basing my opinion on his misreading the S as an 8 and that he bought it in the mid 80s.
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Old July 31, 2010, 12:23 AM   #6
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That's O.K., except that 63242SA would place it in the early '70s. The serial and the mid-80s timeframe don't add up. I hope Hardy will get a magnifier and ascertain what the numbers actually read. The value will depend on that, as well as on the condition. Better pictures would help.

I would keep it and shoot it if I were he.
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Old July 31, 2010, 01:52 AM   #7
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the original man in black in the opening scene of Gunsmoke was Arvo Ojala, holster maker and fast draw teacher to hollywoods biggest stars, flathead
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Old July 31, 2010, 02:43 AM   #8
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Cool! I didn't know that! I'll have to check it out next time. I have one of his fast draw booklets. Thanks!
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Old July 31, 2010, 07:40 AM   #9
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Model-P. Just going on my experience from that time frame. I bought a couple of SAA made in the 70s new in the box in the 80s. At least in my area of Ohio the longer barrel ones in calibers other than 45 Colt just sat in the cases. My how times have changed. Got a hefty discount when I bought them. Wish I still had them. I agree I'd just keep it in good shape and shoot it.
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Old July 31, 2010, 10:32 AM   #10
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There are a lot of 2nd and 3rd gen SAA .357's on GB. They aren't getting $1100 opening bids.
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Old July 31, 2010, 05:23 PM   #11
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Thanks Flat-- I can probably win money on the gunsmoke man. How did you know that !? Anyway it is a 6 on front of serial on this here peacemaker. I bought the gun from a store in 1987. I didn't get a box or paperwork but I remember he had several on display including 45's. I think I paid around $280 new for it. Anyway, since I started my store, I brought it back out of hiding. I loaded it up w/38 specials. It does have a fine line on cylinder(as it should) the end of the barrel has a little bluin worn off but I touched that up w/pen. I can't find too much else wrong but a few t-tiny nics here and there on right side of barrel but not really noticable unless anal scrutinization by a collector looks. It is loud!!! I guess I will ask $1100. for it and thanks everyone.

Now, I have a 3'rd gen unfired colt Walker in case w/ flask/ colt cap box and a small Bull Duram burlap sack of balls. What I like about this gun is that it was a 150 year aniversary edition with less than 800 made-I think- and replicas now cost 380 to 480 if you can get them. We have the ubertis on back order for months now.What I don't like about it is that the wooden box does not appear to be a Colt and the powder flask is brass. I assume that flask is not what came w/gun but I'm sure they aren't cheap anyway I know little about Walkers and never fired one. I don't think I'm gonna fire this one. I'll send pics and serial # later since it is not here at this writing if anybody cares.
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Old July 31, 2010, 06:47 PM   #12
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Well, if you're sure about that 6, then it must be 63242SA (what you thought was an 8 must be an S). You may have bought it in 1987, but that serial number indicates a 1972 production, making it a 2nd generation and worth more than a typical 3rd generation. If that is the case, you may well be able to get up around $1800 or more for it, though something about the color case on the right rear of the frame doesn't look quite right to me.

Good luck.
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Old July 31, 2010, 06:48 PM   #13
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Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke didn't carry a Colt, it was a Great Western copy.
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Old July 31, 2010, 09:16 PM   #14
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Hardy

I'm curious. Why do you feel it "should" have a faint line around the cylinder?
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Old July 31, 2010, 09:51 PM   #15
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because it has been fired and enough cylinder rotation to wear a small groove
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Old July 31, 2010, 10:25 PM   #16
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Actually if the bolt is carried down properly there should be no line no matter how many times it has been fired as the bolt should not contact the cylinder until it drops into the leads. Might want to check that.
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Old July 31, 2010, 10:38 PM   #17
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The line really comes on the c/b repos of 1858 which I see alot. After examining cylinder on this one it is not a groove or enough to take bluing off -just a line that might be noticed by some serious collectors. Will take better pics tommorow. But it is time for a beer for now
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Old August 3, 2010, 05:46 PM   #18
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More pics as promised -





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Old August 3, 2010, 05:48 PM   #19
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Pics

the last two:

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Old August 3, 2010, 05:56 PM   #20
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Purdy. All I have is a New Frontier (22 LR) and an original Bisley which the previous owner converted to .38 Special. I should write Colt and find out what the original barrel length and caliber is.
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Old August 3, 2010, 07:30 PM   #21
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Might want to check your bolt. It looks like the bolt is not being carried down far enough to clear the cylinder completely. I see raised ticks on the outboard edges of the cylinder notches followed by a line on the cylinder that indicates to me the bolt is staying in light contact with the cylinder during rotation.
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Old August 3, 2010, 09:11 PM   #22
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Denster- I'd rather raise chicks than ticks Now, I know what you're saying and most top frame guns I've seen have this after use. None of these type guns are perfect. So I wouldn't know how to work on it or much less replace it. Polish it maybe? Or since it's a 2nd just quit cocking it. My Uberties and Colts and Piettas get ticks in the notches after so much wear. But Hell, I asked for critique and that's what I want. This has to give insight for others too.
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Old August 3, 2010, 10:37 PM   #23
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It looks pretty good by golly, and I wouldn't let just any ol' smith go fiddling around with my prized Colt Peacemaker either.

Last edited by arcticap; August 3, 2010 at 10:42 PM.
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Old August 3, 2010, 10:54 PM   #24
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Quote:
Actually if the bolt is carried down properly there should be no line no matter how many times it has been fired as the bolt should not contact the cylinder until it drops into the leads. Might want to check that.
Just IMHO, I have yet to see a Colt or a Smith DA or SA revolver that will not show a line from the cylinder being turned. IME it is normal wear, at least in the revolvers I have and have had. In a SA at half cock the bolt is completely retracted but not before or after reaching half cock. Unless I'm badly mistaken. If I am I don't know how that line got there on all of 'em.
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Old August 3, 2010, 11:23 PM   #25
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In a SA at half cock the bolt is completely retracted but not before or after reaching half cock. Unless I'm badly mistaken. If I am I don't know how that line got there on all of 'em.
On a Colt type single action, that line usually comes from people who lower the hammer from half cock, instead of fully cocking the hammer from half cock before lowering.

The bolt should clear the cylinder notch just before the cylinder begins to rotate.

I did, however, have a Colt SAA in which I had the bolt replaced by a supposed single action expert gunsmith where he set the bolt to where it just skimmed the surface of my newly charcoal blued cylinder. Luckily, I detected it and fixed it before the cylinder got ringed. The bolt should retract flush or just below the opening in the frame when fully retracted. There is no reason for it to ring the cylinder under normal handling.

Double action guns and Ruger type single actions are another story. It's nearly impossible to avoid rings on them due to their inherent designs.

Much better pictures there, Hardy. You have a nice looking Single Action Army of which you can be proud. Thanks for sharing.

Last edited by Model-P; August 3, 2010 at 11:58 PM.
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