Colt .SAA 32-20 Continued
To RobertTheWriter from thread http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=416172
Robert - I guess I missed the part where you wanted to sell your Colt. If that is the case, and your reluctance to clean it, I would just wipe it down with gun oil and a soft cloth and list it as-is. Let the ultimate owner do any restoration so you don't need to worry about causing any permanent damage.
Also, as the .32-20 was not a particularly popular cartridge compared to the .45, .44-40 and .38-40, I wouldn't spend the extra $300 for a factory letter. It most likely went to one of the larger hardware stores or distributors in the 1920's and probably wouldn't add any significant value to your Colt. A letter is desirable when there's a possibility of particular historical importance. That's just my opinion.
Please let us know the auction number when you list your Colt as I would be interested in bidding on it.
Robert - I guess I missed the part where you wanted to sell your Colt. If that is the case, and your reluctance to clean it, I would just wipe it down with gun oil and a soft cloth and list it as-is. Let the ultimate owner do any restoration so you don't need to worry about causing any permanent damage.
Also, as the .32-20 was not a particularly popular cartridge compared to the .45, .44-40 and .38-40, I wouldn't spend the extra $300 for a factory letter. It most likely went to one of the larger hardware stores or distributors in the 1920's and probably wouldn't add any significant value to your Colt. A letter is desirable when there's a possibility of particular historical importance. That's just my opinion.
Please let us know the auction number when you list your Colt as I would be interested in bidding on it.
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Spider, I appreciate all your good advice. I will probably wind up doing what you suggest.
Again, I apologize for being an ignoramus in such things, but:
What do I need to know about any legal requirements in engaging in an auction here, and shipping the gun after it's sold?
Since I don't have a box for this piece, how should it be packed?
And what means should I use to ship it? Would companies like FedEx or UPS handle weapons, and are there special procedures I need to know about?
I assume such info is posted here somewhere, so you could just point me. Thanks much.0 -
quote:Originally posted by RobertTheWriter
Spider, I appreciate all your good advice. I will probably wind up doing what you suggest.
Again, I apologize for being an ignoramus in such things, but:
What do I need to know about any legal requirements in engaging in an auction here, and shipping the gun after it's sold?
Since I don't have a box for this piece, how should it be packed?
And what means should I use to ship it? Would companies like FedEx or UPS handle weapons, and are there special procedures I need to know about?
I assume such info is posted here somewhere, so you could just point me. Thanks much.
The wisest way would be for your local FFL dealer to ship it for you. It needs to go to another FFL dealer (or Curio and Relic license holder in some states but not all). Additionally, a federally licensed dealer can ship it through the US Postal Service whereby an individual needs to ship it through FedEx or UPS overnight which can be quite expensive. A dealer is cheaper and safer and will know how to properly pack it.0 -
Incidentally, anyone who wants to see photos of the piece we're talking about can find them on the previous thread:
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4161720 -
A Colt Archive letter for a Single Action is $100 with a 90-120 day wait for the letter and information. If you use Colt's premium same day phone service the cost is $150 and you'll get the information the same day and the letter in 2-3 weeks. Typically, you only pay more if the gun is factory engraved or shipped to someone of historical significance. The only way a letter will add value to this gun is if it was shipped to a historically interesting location or someone of importance. For example, a Texas or Colorado shipped gun will always carry a premium.
This was a nice old Single Action, too bad it was allowed to degrade to the condition it is now in. In my opinion the surface rust isn't a problem, but the pitting appears to be somewhat significant, especially on the frame and cylinder. The bottom of the barrel has been severely dinged in the past where someone tried to remove the base pin with pliers.
Since you aren't interested in keeping it in the family, I'd suggest you don't spend any money fixing the gun; just oil it as others have suggested and wipe it with rags to remove the surface rust and don't try to clean it with steel or brass wool. Some of the screws are either in the wrong place, not tightened properly, or they are the wrong screws. From what I see this is no longer a true collector gun; it is either a parts gun; a relic to be left as is and displayed; an example of a Single Action that will be cleaned up, parts replaced, and displayed by someone that can't afford a collector quality Single Action; or a restoration candidate if someone doesn't have much money in the gun.
As Spider indicated, it is a post 1898 gun, so it will have to ship from an FFL to an FFL or C&R license holder. You won't get a lot for this gun because it needs a lot of work; it's just not a collector level gun. If it was mine and I didn't want to keep it and I didn't have any money in it; I'd start it on the auction side at $500 with no reserve and let it sell for whatever it sells for. At a starting price of $500 you will get bids.0 -
Thanks for that valuable assessment, Old-Colts. I'll clean it up and ready it for an auction soon. 0 -
Robert, when you put it up for auction, be sure to let us know and provide a link! 0
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