Old Colt
I have not seen it yet, but a friend of mine has an old Colt SAA that he wants me to look at. According to him, it is a 1st Gen, 1903, 38 WCF, sn#138,xxx, in very good condition. I'm looking in the Blue Book and seeing values in the neighborhood of $10,000. Am I on the right page?
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had a friend call today about an old colt sa 45 7-1/2 revolver...his friend was the executor of an estate and wondered how to properly sell this old colt which has a 4 digit serial and i have dated it thru my info to 1876 and military issue... i told them to find the colt guru and have it appraised as this has to be accurately identified as genuine and not a fake or something screwed with...any recommendations as to who or where this would be...we are here in the middle of kansas...it needs to be done right...thanks 0 -
pretty close, if it is what you say it really is a 1st gen. 0 -
$10,000 is pretty optimistic unless it's in 90% or better original condition, including correct markings, case colors, bluing, as-issued barrel length & caliber and matching, numbered grips. "Very good condition" is a subjective term.
First Generation SAA's can be found for considerably less. For example, here's a restored .38WCF made in 1903 for $2,600:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=195007355
Here's one with no finish for $2,000:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=194744912
Both of these examples could technically be described as "very good". In fact, the first one is described as "magnificent"! However, your friend's may be a jewel. We really need pictures in order to estimate a value as many SAA's have been reworked.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
$10,000 is pretty optimistic unless it's in 90% or better original condition, including correct markings, case colors, bluing, as-issued barrel length & caliber and matching, numbered grips. "Very good condition" is a subjective term.
First Generation SAA's can be found for considerably less. For example, here's a restored .38WCF made in 1903 for $2,600:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=195007355
Here's one with no finish for $2,000:
OK, now I have seen it. The finish is the weak point, I think. There is virtually no case hardening left, and the blue is on present in small patches. I would estimate the bluing at 20-30%. Mechicanically it is nearly perfect. 4 clicks, tight as new. There is a very small area of pitting on the cylinder, and a place the size of a dime that it looks like someone has hit it with a hammer several times, very old, and very worn, The serial numbers all match, except the loading gate. The grips are nearly perfect with no signs of wear or cracks. I could not get the cylinder pin out. It moved freely for about an eighth of an inch then stopped. The cylinder spun freely, so I think I was doing something wrong. I would not hesitate to load it up and shoot it
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=194744912
Both of these examples could technically be described as "very good". In fact, the first one is described as "magnificent"! However, your friend's may be a jewel. We really need pictures in order to estimate a value as many SAA's have been reworked.0 -
The loading gate number won't match as it's an assembly number and not the serial number. The matching number is on the frame underneath the trigger guard. That was to insure those parts stayed together.
Maybe you aren't pressing the cross-pin release catch in far enough to remove the cylinder. It could be gunked up or rusty, too.
If the grips are like new and the rest of the gun isn't, they may have been replaced. They should be scratched with the matching serial number on the inside of the grips.
You didn't say the barrel length but 4 5/8' is the most desirable. Still, based on your description, it sounds more like the $2,500-$3,000 range to me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Eddpyatt
According to him, it is a 1st Gen, 1903, 38 WCF, sn#138,xxx, in very good condition.If the serial number really is in the 138,000 range, then the production date would be 1891, not 1903, and it would have the old style frame with a screw in the front of the frame to release the base pin, not the traverse spring loaded release.
What is the actual serial number range?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
quote:Originally posted by Eddpyatt
According to him, it is a 1st Gen, 1903, 38 WCF, sn#138,xxx, in very good condition.If the serial number really is in the 138,000 range, then the production date would be 1891, not 1903, and it would have the old style frame with a screw in the front of the frame to release the base pin, not the traverse spring loaded release.
What is the actual serial number range?
You're right, OC. I just went on his statement of 1903 and didn't verify the serial number DOM.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
quote:Originally posted by Eddpyatt
According to him, it is a 1st Gen, 1903, 38 WCF, sn#138,xxx, in very good condition.If the serial number really is in the 138,000 range, then the production date would be 1891, not 1903, and it would have the old style frame with a screw in the front of the frame to release the base pin, not the traverse spring loaded release.
What is the actual serial number range?
Oops, my bad. The serial number is 238,990. All numbers except the loading gate match. The finish just looks like it has been worn off through handling.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Eddpyatt
Oops, my bad. The serial number is 238,990. All numbers except the loading gate match. The finish just looks like it has been worn off through handling.Since it is a 1902/1903 Single Action, if there are no modifications and the remaining finish as well as all parts are original to the Colt including the hammer, grips, etc; then I'd agree with Spider that it would be somewhere around $2500 depending on how clean the gun is and just how much usage wear the gun shows.
If you could post pictures of the Colt we could probably give you a better assessment; 100% originality is very important with these guns.
If we hit the 10th post the thread will lock shortly afterwards, so if it locks and you want to post pictures and get some more opinions then please start a new thread and reference this one.
Added:
By the way, as Spider mentioned, the number on the loading gate is an assembly number that only by coincidence would match the last digits of the serial number. It should match a corresponding assembly number on the bottom of the frame, hidden by the trigger guard frame. The trigger guard frame would have to be removed to see this number.0
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