SAA Colt .45 is it real?
I'm trying to find out for my wife's grandfather if this is a real colt and what it might be worth. The serial # is 89665 and FCB is stamped on both sides of it. Thanks for any info available.
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Looks like your pistol was made 1883 The FCB does not look factory Might be initials of one of the original owners.IT has been refinished as well as grips replaced. So No longer a high value collector Item but still worth a fair amount. This is a so called Black Powder frame and I for one would NOT shoot Modern Hi velocity loads in it .I would shoot reloads that use something like Trail Boss powder or ammo loaded for Cowboy Action shooters. 0 -
I agree with perry shooter's opinion.
From the few pictures you've provided it appears to be a real 1st Generation Colt Single Action from 1883. We don't have enough pictures to tell you everything that is wrong with it, but it has been fairly heavily buffed and re-blued, including the frame that was once case hardened if it was a blued and case colored gun originally. Based on the gap between the frame and ejector rod housing, the barrel or housing might have been removed and/or replaced at some time. From what I can see of the front sight the barrel appears to have been cut down, but I can't be sure. Either the grips, if original to the gun, have been heavily sanded and checkered (non-factory) or they were replaced.
The Colt has the bull's-eye ejector rod head that was discontinued around 1883, so it is possible that this gun could still have come with that head.
Does it have the same serial number (89665) on the butt?
We would need better pictures of the complete Single Action, all markings, and all features (hammer spur, etc.) to confirm originality and be able to evaluate it further.
Without better pictures to determine originality (Colt or fake) and perform a more in-depth evaluation; from what I'm seeing I would say its value is in the $800-$1000 range.
Edit 1: Paintguy, the front sight is too long front to back and the profile isn't correct for a Single Action of this vintage. I suspect the barrel has been cut down and a new, larger front sight installed; or the barrel has been replaced, which is a real possibility since the ejector rod housing doesn't fit properly to the frame. Can you provide a picture of the barrel markings and a better picture of the front sight (one from the top and one from the side)?
The hammer is correct (long bordered hand cut knurling with a slash below) for a Single Action of this vintage. However, it has been polished.0 -
Here are some more pics of it. Thanks a lot. 0 -
Here are some more. It also cam with these grips. 0 -
Interesting to note the B is backwards on one side. 0 -
I hate to see rust on a firearm. It can be removed.
Dixie Gun Works sold checkered ivories like those for $20 in the '50s.
The ivory grips alone are valuable today. I kick myself for never buying a pair.
Barrel markings may determine if barrel is original though it looks crisper than the rest of the gun.
Ranches, Railway Express and other companies have marked their guns
but it could have been a private owner.
The revolver needs to be examined and appraised0 -
personally i think it is a Colt COPY, if it were a true Colt where is the "Rampant Colt" stamping ? and it should have the Colt stamping on the barrel
in my OPINION it is NOT a Colt.., just a good copy.0 -
quote:Originally posted by USN_Airdale
personally i think it is a Colt COPY, if it were a true Colt where is the "Rampant Colt" stamping ? and it should have the Colt stamping on the barrel
in my OPINION it is NOT a Colt.., just a good copy.
If it had the "Rampant Colt" on the frame, it would be a fake. The "Rampant Colt" wasn't used until 1890 and this SAA was made in 1883.0 -
And if it has the original barrel, the lightly stamped address was probably lost when polished and reblued. 0
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