Kodiak Gun Company Colt SAA 45
Saw a neat weapon today and need additional info. A friend came in with a first generation SAA 45 in 90%. Made in 1937, it still retains the case colors and blue as it should be. Appears no monkey business on it either. Upon removal of the grips, stamped on the forward left side of the frame in the metal (invisible when grips on) is "ALASKA" in an art deco box, and "Kodiak Gun Company" adjacent to it.
Has anyone ever heard of this company? Was it a trading post in the thirties? I convinced him to get a factory letter from Colt on this one!
I'm thinking Kodiak was a private enterprise in the Alaska Territory and am looking for confirmation. Thanks.
Has anyone ever heard of this company? Was it a trading post in the thirties? I convinced him to get a factory letter from Colt on this one!
I'm thinking Kodiak was a private enterprise in the Alaska Territory and am looking for confirmation. Thanks.
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I was hoping someone would have answered this question, I'm curious as to the revolvers history and manufacture.
Chris8161
Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!0 -
The problem with answering your question is that most of what can be told is "speculation." In the late 50's and early 60's there was a company named "Kodiak" that became involved with Colt and were instrumental in the manufacture of the "Coltsman" rifles. This company also produced some models of rifles themselves, but were not well known and enjoyed very little success from this enterprise.
Your Gun you say was made in 1937, some 20 to 25 years before "Kodiak" appeared on the scene as a "contractor to Colt." Whether the markings on your gun are related to this "Kodiak Gun Company" would be only speculation at this period in time, even though I have done a lot of "Research" on the "Kodiak" company and several other "contractors to Colt" for my upcoming Book, (The Coltsman Rifles), I have found no mention of any "gifts" from Colt to Kodiak or any mention of any Colt SAA .45's being handed out for any reason. This doesn't mean they weren't or couldn't have been.
As far as a "Kodiak Gun Company" in Alaska, again, I wouldn't have any knowledge of this, but you may be able to search the records of registered businesses in the State of Alaska archieves and find such a company. The name certainly would have been considered by those wishing to do business in Alaska or possibly, even in "Kodiak, Alaska." However, I know of no company with that name that is, has, or was, doing business in Alaska in the past 50 years or so, other than possibly the company I described above, which marketed their firearms everywhere they could. It's possible they might have had it done for some specific purpose only known to them now. Colt, if they know, will certainly oblige you with whatever information they have provided you pay them for it. Good Luck!
I Miss The World I Grew Up In!0 -
Thanks for the input guys! 0
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