Colt 45 expert needed

bcc1309 · January 7, 2005, 11:36 PM

[email protected] undefined[LEFT]

six shot single action. 4 1\2 inch barrel mother of pearl grips. All original . Handed done by Great Granddad thru the family. s/n # 158395, patten dates 1871/1872/1875. Firing just fine. Just like to know all about it. Would be interested in the in a rating of this old timer. Thanks for any help.

MCIWS · January 7, 2005, 11:37 PM

Don't know, but WOW!

Sir William · January 8, 2005, 12:43 AM

I cannot process blue with my eyesight. If it is all original, you have a sweet Colt. I suggest www.dixiegunworks.com as a resource. Their catalogue is worth the price. They have a section for antique firearms on their website. That should give you a fair idea of value.

Dfariswheel · January 8, 2005, 02:08 AM

You really need to get this looked at by a REAL expert appraiser.

These First Generation black powder framed Colt SAA's are EXTREMELY valuable collector's guns, and prices run up to $20,000.00 and MORE depending on condition and possible factory pearl grips.

One source of good info, is to get a Historical Letter from Colt.
Expensive, but it'll give the the official word on when made, and what configuration, caliber, finish, and any special items like grips the gun had when it left Colt.
Also they'll tell you when it was shipped, and to who.

guntotin_fool · January 8, 2005, 04:22 AM

good points get a letter from Colt

Do not shoot it until you verify condition with a QUALITY gunsmith. Not just a counter jockey. Once saw one where a 45 cylinder had been misassembled into a 38 frame. big mess.

I know a couple but would only be good if you lived near me. email me if you would like my contacts,

[email protected]

otherwise you lucky sog nice looking piece, enjoy and keep it safe,

Jbar4Ranch · January 8, 2005, 12:25 PM

Nice looking SAA! Based on the s/n cross reference in the back of the Blue Book, my guess for a manufacture date is about November of 1894. A Letter of Provenance from Colts for your revolver is $100 by mail or $150 if you phone it in. It's well worth the money on these older Colts. If it turns out that the gun was shipped to or owned by someone of some importance, the price of the letter will be more, but then that boosts the value of the gun too. Be careful what you shoot in it, as this is a black powder gun, not a nitro proofed, post 1900 frame.

Cactus · January 9, 2005, 08:13 PM

It's very hard to determine condition from anything but a professional photo, but if your pistol has only 40% original finish, it would be worth around $7000 if every thing is correct. It would be worth your time and money to get the Colt letter and have your gun appraised by a knowledgable Colt collector.

gordo b. · January 9, 2005, 09:46 PM

I was gonna say $4500-6500. My advise is to lube it good, put it in a nice padded case and enjoy the rise in value! The Pearl grips require special care, like Mineral oil and tissue paper wrap.

**4V50 Gary** · January 9, 2005, 10:54 PM

No tissue paper. Use that brown paper that S&W wraps their guns in before placing them into a box.

gordo b. · January 10, 2005, 11:11 PM

With all due respect Gary: I think that S&W type paper is Vapor Inhibited Paper designed to prevent rusting, very good for the steel parts but the Pearl grips would benefit more from mineral oil wipe and then wrapping type tissue paper, (NOT KLEENEX OR TOILET PAPER!!!!).

January 8, 2005, 12:25 PM	#6
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	Nice looking SAA! Based on the s/n cross reference in the back of the Blue Book, my guess for a manufacture date is about November of 1894. A Letter of Provenance from Colts for your revolver is $100 by mail or $150 if you phone it in. It's well worth the money on these older Colts. If it turns out that the gun was shipped to or owned by someone of some importance, the price of the letter will be more, but then that boosts the value of the gun too. Be careful what you shoot in it, as this is a black powder gun, not a nitro proofed, post 1900 frame. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

January 9, 2005, 10:54 PM	#9
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	No tissue paper. Use that brown paper that S&W wraps their guns in before placing them into a box. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 7, 2005, 11:37 PM	#2
MCIWS Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 145	Don't know, but WOW!

January 8, 2005, 12:43 AM	#3
Sir William Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2004 Posts: 3,261	I cannot process blue with my eyesight. If it is all original, you have a sweet Colt. I suggest www.dixiegunworks.com as a resource. Their catalogue is worth the price. They have a section for antique firearms on their website. That should give you a fair idea of value.

January 8, 2005, 02:08 AM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	You really need to get this looked at by a REAL expert appraiser. These First Generation black powder framed Colt SAA's are EXTREMELY valuable collector's guns, and prices run up to $20,000.00 and MORE depending on condition and possible factory pearl grips. One source of good info, is to get a Historical Letter from Colt. Expensive, but it'll give the the official word on when made, and what configuration, caliber, finish, and any special items like grips the gun had when it left Colt. Also they'll tell you when it was shipped, and to who.

January 8, 2005, 04:22 AM	#5
guntotin_fool Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2004 Posts: 1,446	good points get a letter from Colt Do not shoot it until you verify condition with a QUALITY gunsmith. Not just a counter jockey. Once saw one where a 45 cylinder had been misassembled into a 38 frame. big mess. I know a couple but would only be good if you lived near me. email me if you would like my contacts, [email protected] otherwise you lucky sog nice looking piece, enjoy and keep it safe,

January 9, 2005, 08:13 PM	#7
Cactus Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 1999 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 482	It's very hard to determine condition from anything but a professional photo, but if your pistol has only 40% original finish, it would be worth around $7000 if every thing is correct. It would be worth your time and money to get the Colt letter and have your gun appraised by a knowledgable Colt collector.

January 9, 2005, 09:46 PM	#8
gordo b. Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2002 Location: Peoples republik of Calif. Posts: 961	I was gonna say $4500-6500. My advise is to lube it good, put it in a nice padded case and enjoy the rise in value! The Pearl grips require special care, like Mineral oil and tissue paper wrap.

January 10, 2005, 11:11 PM	#10
gordo b. Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2002 Location: Peoples republik of Calif. Posts: 961	With all due respect Gary: I think that S&W type paper is Vapor Inhibited Paper designed to prevent rusting, very good for the steel parts but the Pearl grips would benefit more from mineral oil wipe and then wrapping type tissue paper, (NOT KLEENEX OR TOILET PAPER!!!!).