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COLT SAA UNKNOWN CALIBER

prospector
Almost 30 years ago I bought a Colt SAA .45 cal at a pawn shop. Didn't find out until years later that the barrel and cylinder had been changed to .45 cal....the serial number on the frame and trigger guard is 66546...showing it is pretty old....I would like to restore it to original condition...find correct barrel and cylinder...it is a really nice gun...I've been shooting it on occasion over the years.

If anyone has advice...most welcome!
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    You have a PEACEMAKER: The Serial Number shows that this Gun was produced in 1881....The Serial Numbers began at 62,000 and ended at 73,000 for the Production run in 1881...My suggestion to You is to get a letter from Colt for your gun...This way you will get the information needed to restore it to original Factory configuration...

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff<P><BR>

    I'm sorry! I forgot that You were New to the Ask the Experts Forum...Allow Me to Welcome You to the Family....Best....Captain Kirk
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  • gap1916
    prospector: Welcome to GB. captkirk3 is seldom wrong. [8D]

    Greg
    Former Marine
    A N G L I C O
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  • tomh.
    And I third the motion! Colt was only producing the SAA in .45 and .44-40 in 1881. A letter may show barrel length, grips and finish. Definately worth the cost even if it doesn't include much info. Sounds like you found a real jewel.
    You might also contact Dave Lanara davelanara.homestead.com
    or John Kopec coltauthenticity@aol.com for some advice.
    One thing to keep in mind is that the old pre-1900 revolvers is that they were designed to fire blackpowder rounds. Sometime around the turn of the century, Colt changed their manufacturing process to make the revolver a little stronger. So I would caution against shooting it with modern ammo, even light loads.
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  • v35
    Send digital photos if requested not the gun. Familiarize yourself with the differences between early and late parts; especially your ejector, ejector housing, ejector spring, hammer and hammer spring.
    Take the gun apart and take digital photos of all parts.
    If yours are original parts in good condition they are subject to swapping. Mine were swapped by an authority.
    Doug Turnbull can fit a barrel with the correct markings and style of rifling and a cylinder having the original features of your Colt as well as refinish it properly. The hammer, if it is a later replacement, can also be reworked or replaced with the correct style.
    Good luck
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  • Hangfire
    quote:Originally posted by gap1916
    prospector: Welcome to GB. captkirk3 is seldom wrong. [8D]

    Greg
    Former Marine
    A N G L I C O




    Don't go getting his ego all inflated....he's got a boat to take care of!!!!![8D]

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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  • prospector
    Thanks to all for the advice.....got a letter coming in from Colt...it was originally 44-40 cal. 7 1/2 in. barrel with wood grips in blue finish....shipped to Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis in March 1881....now the hunt is on...see if can trace who it was sold to...it was shipped as a lot of 50 guns...found out Simmons was merged in early 1940's, bought out by Curtis Mfg...and closed the doors sometime in the early 1960's....unfortunately the receipt I got back in 1975 didn't include the name of the Pawn Shop I bought it from in Austin, TX. Oh Well !
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