Colt saa --any experts out there??????
I recently picked up a colt single action army. The serial numbers indicate it is a second generation gun made around 1910-1911. It
appears to be original in all aspects I was concerned that it had been replated ( it is nickel ) but in checking under a 10X glass all markings are sharp and correspond showing no evidence of replate. The gun is in remarkable shape for its age, again something that led me to
believe it had been replated. Now comes the interesting part, there are no barrel markings on this gun at all. In fact the registrations from1950-1960 have it registered as a 45 cal. it was not until the previous owner had the registration changed in 1970 to the correct cal. which by the way is 38.40. I have spent a great deal of time scutinizing the base of the barrel to determine if it is a replacement and can find no evidence of this. My dilemma, is it possible a 38.40 left the factory without barrel markings??? I forgot to mention the gun is inscribed Emil Pinkerson on the butt plate, indicating a custum order.....any ideas???????
appears to be original in all aspects I was concerned that it had been replated ( it is nickel ) but in checking under a 10X glass all markings are sharp and correspond showing no evidence of replate. The gun is in remarkable shape for its age, again something that led me to
believe it had been replated. Now comes the interesting part, there are no barrel markings on this gun at all. In fact the registrations from1950-1960 have it registered as a 45 cal. it was not until the previous owner had the registration changed in 1970 to the correct cal. which by the way is 38.40. I have spent a great deal of time scutinizing the base of the barrel to determine if it is a replacement and can find no evidence of this. My dilemma, is it possible a 38.40 left the factory without barrel markings??? I forgot to mention the gun is inscribed Emil Pinkerson on the butt plate, indicating a custum order.....any ideas???????
0
-
Good Morning SEAN; and welcome to the Ask the Experts Forum... In My considered opinion...Spend the money and write to Colt and get the information directly from them...The letter from Colt will make or break the value...Not only will You know the exact day of production, but to whom it was shipped to, the caliber and Finish...Do yourself a favor and go directly to the Point of Origin...Best......
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
Capt. Kirk, how does one go about contacting Colt to research a gun? Do you have a web link, e-mail, or address? Thanks ,TRAP 0 -
Here you go TRAP:
http://www.colt.com/CMCI/historical.asp0 -
phone: 1-800-962-COLT
http://www.colt.com/CMCI/archive_prices.asp0 -
Fantastic! Thanks guys. It's a 1862 Police Richards-Mason conversion that my brother-in-law inherited from his grandfather.He was a Sheriff and ordered it from Colt. He caught his mom tossing it in the trash because she thought it was worthless junk! I'll see what Colt has on it and post with pics. Thanks again! 0 -
This is a first generation, not a second generation Colt. The absence of barrel markings tells me that this may be a piece of Winchester 73 or 92 barrel or a piece of Colt Lightning barrel if the Colt rifling style is present. There would be six very narrow lands if it is Colt rifling. If it is a Colt revolver barrel, the markings have been buffed out.
Nickeling was also used to to cover a rough gun. Renickeling can often be evident at the joints of frame, backstrap and triggerguard. Joints will be indented or rounded from buffing the gun when it's disassembled.0 -
Further to my reply, Colt SAA rifling is counter clockwise. Colt Lightning rifles had the same style rifling but clockwise.
Examination of the rifling should tell you what you have. The address, witness mark and caliber markings could have been polished out.0 -
quote:Originally posted by captkirk3@dslextreme.com
Good Morning SEAN; and welcome to the Ask the Experts Forum... In My considered opinion...Spend the money and write to Colt and get the information directly from them...The letter from Colt will make or break the value...Not only will You know the exact day of production, but to whom it was shipped to, the caliber and Finish...Do yourself a favor and go directly to the Point of Origin...Best......
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff<P><BR>0 -
thanks captain Kirk I will do as you suggest, If there is a chance it is original. I'm just trying to determine if I'm missing something obvious. 0 -
Hi V35
Thanks for your response. I checked the barrel and there are 6 fine lands in a counterclockwise direction, I also noted that there was a very finely punched number 4 on the bottom of the barrel near the frame. The serial numbers are 321xxx doesn't that make it a second generation???0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments