Colt SAA

vincerho · April 8, 2013, 06:44 AM

Hello,

I am new to this forum and hope someone can help me with a question I have on my 1901 Colt saa .45 with a 4 1/2 inch barrel

All the numbers match but on the barrel the only markings I can see is the two line address on the top. I thought that there should also be Colt .45 marked on the left hand side also. The address line is very faint and I think the caliber marking has just worn away. I remember reading, though, that during the transition years from black powder to smokeless that it was not uncommon for Colt to use the old style barrels w/o the caliber markings. If so does my gun fall in that time frame.

Any input would be very much appreciated.

Thanks for all the input - sorry it took so long to upload the pics.

cecILL · April 8, 2013, 06:48 AM

Greetings.

Although I can not help on your question, the guys here that can will need some decent pictures.

James K · April 8, 2013, 12:04 PM

We will definitely need some good pictures. Those caliber markings were often lightly stamped and were easily worn off or buffed off in refinishing. With a popular caliber like .45 Colt, I doubt Colt would be using up barrels from some ten years earlier.

Jim

WIL TERRY · April 8, 2013, 02:43 PM

IF IT REALLY HAS A 4 1/2" BBL, it could be an extrememly rare pistol. Up to 99.9999999999% of the short ejector rod length BBL's are 4 3/4" in length. UNLESS there is something else here going wrong...or outta whack...

James K · April 8, 2013, 03:34 PM

I figured to wait on the pictures, but 4 1/2" would be shorter than the ejector rod housing. FWIW, the so-called "Sheriff's Model" has a 4" barrel.

Jim

Slamfire · April 8, 2013, 03:39 PM

You are going to have to post pictures, but always remember something from 1901 has had 112 years of previous owners before 2013.

Since then, there have been a lot of “Cowboy” and “Wild West” fads: there was the quick draw period in the 50's and now there is the SASS. Lots of opportunities for someone to take a gun to a gunsmith and have the barrel changed.

vincerho · April 8, 2013, 10:28 PM

just uploaded the pics - thanks for all the help with this revolver.

James K · April 8, 2013, 10:34 PM

That one has "been rode hard and put away wet" but it is in fairly good condition all things considered. The grips are not factory, of course, but have been on there a long time.

It does look as though the muzzle has been cut down a bit but a picture of that area would prove or disprove that.

Jim

vincerho · April 9, 2013, 06:37 AM

Just uploaded pics of muzzle. Would it be advisable to purchase period grips? I know where I can get a pair of original 1st gen grips in nice condition. I know all grips are fitted to a particular frame so I'm worried they might not fit correctly.

James K · April 9, 2013, 08:12 PM

They should be close enough, and would look better, at least in my opinion. But if those grips are real stag, either leave them there or keep them to sell with the gun if you should sell the gun.

Jim

1911Tuner · April 11, 2013, 08:21 AM

Wow! Lotta character in that old Colt. I'd love to have it just to show it off to a a chosen few. I might even shoot it a few times with some powderpuff "Cowboy" loads...but very few.

I'm jealous.

UtopiaTexasG19 · April 11, 2013, 08:31 AM

Back "in the day" stag grips were popular to add some style to the SAA and also provided for a better/practical one handed grip in wet weather. I personally would leave them on but it is your gun so do what you think necessary.

James K · April 11, 2013, 10:14 AM

As I said, if the grips are real stag (which I think they are), I would leave them. But if they are some kind of cheap plastic, a more original-looking grip would be better.

Jim

gak · April 11, 2013, 10:32 AM

I still think it could be original (or replacement) at the proper 4-3/4". Unless the original was badly corroded or otherwise bungled up, can't see someone going to the trouble of just removing a quarter inch AND crowning as well, which this appears it is,

Is the OP measuring just to the frame? If so, there's a bit there not being measured. We could use a close-in direct side picture--no angle whatsoever--of the muzzle end area.

Hawg · April 11, 2013, 07:32 PM

The muzzle is even with the end of the ejector rod housing so the barrel is 4 3/4. Stag grips got popular in the fifties but were unknown before the turn of the century. The earliest known set were on a Colt that Kid Curry stole from a Colt salesman sometime around 1901-1904.

newfrontier45 · April 12, 2013, 05:32 PM

Nice old Colt and definitely real stag.

April 8, 2013, 03:39 PM	#6
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	You are going to have to post pictures, but always remember something from 1901 has had 112 years of previous owners before 2013. Since then, there have been a lot of “Cowboy” and “Wild West” fads: there was the quick draw period in the 50's and now there is the SASS. Lots of opportunities for someone to take a gun to a gunsmith and have the barrel changed. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

April 9, 2013, 06:37 AM	#9
vincerho Junior Member Join Date: April 7, 2013 Posts: 3	muzzle Just uploaded pics of muzzle. Would it be advisable to purchase period grips? I know where I can get a pair of original 1st gen grips in nice condition. I know all grips are fitted to a particular frame so I'm worried they might not fit correctly.

April 11, 2013, 08:21 AM	#11
1911Tuner Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: NC Piedmont/Foothills Posts: 666	Old Colt Wow! Lotta character in that old Colt. I'd love to have it just to show it off to a a chosen few. I might even shoot it a few times with some powderpuff "Cowboy" loads...but very few. I'm jealous. __________________ If your front porch collapses and kills more than three dogs...You just might be a redneck

April 8, 2013, 06:48 AM	#2
cecILL Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: central IL Posts: 769	Greetings. Although I can not help on your question, the guys here that can will need some decent pictures.

April 8, 2013, 12:04 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	We will definitely need some good pictures. Those caliber markings were often lightly stamped and were easily worn off or buffed off in refinishing. With a popular caliber like .45 Colt, I doubt Colt would be using up barrels from some ten years earlier. Jim

April 8, 2013, 02:43 PM	#4
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	IF IT REALLY HAS A 4 1/2" BBL, it could be an extrememly rare pistol. Up to 99.9999999999% of the short ejector rod length BBL's are 4 3/4" in length. UNLESS there is something else here going wrong...or outta whack...

April 8, 2013, 03:34 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I figured to wait on the pictures, but 4 1/2" would be shorter than the ejector rod housing. FWIW, the so-called "Sheriff's Model" has a 4" barrel. Jim

April 8, 2013, 10:34 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That one has "been rode hard and put away wet" but it is in fairly good condition all things considered. The grips are not factory, of course, but have been on there a long time. It does look as though the muzzle has been cut down a bit but a picture of that area would prove or disprove that. Jim

April 9, 2013, 08:12 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	They should be close enough, and would look better, at least in my opinion. But if those grips are real stag, either leave them there or keep them to sell with the gun if you should sell the gun. Jim

April 11, 2013, 08:31 AM	#12
UtopiaTexasG19 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 743	Back "in the day" stag grips were popular to add some style to the SAA and also provided for a better/practical one handed grip in wet weather. I personally would leave them on but it is your gun so do what you think necessary.

April 11, 2013, 10:14 AM	#13
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	As I said, if the grips are real stag (which I think they are), I would leave them. But if they are some kind of cheap plastic, a more original-looking grip would be better. Jim

April 11, 2013, 10:32 AM	#14
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	I still think it could be original (or replacement) at the proper 4-3/4". Unless the original was badly corroded or otherwise bungled up, can't see someone going to the trouble of just removing a quarter inch AND crowning as well, which this appears it is, Is the OP measuring just to the frame? If so, there's a bit there not being measured. We could use a close-in direct side picture--no angle whatsoever--of the muzzle end area.

April 11, 2013, 07:32 PM	#15
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	The muzzle is even with the end of the ejector rod housing so the barrel is 4 3/4. Stag grips got popular in the fifties but were unknown before the turn of the century. The earliest known set were on a Colt that Kid Curry stole from a Colt salesman sometime around 1901-1904.

April 12, 2013, 05:32 PM	#16
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	Nice old Colt and definitely real stag.