Old Colt SAA
I recently acquired a 1873, Colt, SAA in .45 Colt, serial # 39,XXX. Sadly, as with too many, of these old Colts, this specimen has been buffed (poorly), re-blued, re-barreled, and the thumb knurl on the hammer has been worked on with a wide, triangle file. In short, the poor thing hasn't received much respect. I have slugged the bore and matched the rifling with slugs from both a know 1st. and 2nd. generation, nothing matches. The rifling looks more like the 2nd.generation rifling (smokeless power), but it is not exactly the same.
And now for the good news! The numbers on the frame, trigger guard and back strap match. The old, wood, one-piece grips fit well and may be original, but are lightly refinished. I can make out 2 digits of a serial # on the cylinder, but from these numbers, it can't be the original one. You can make out the patent dates on the left frame and the 45 CAL on the trigger guard. The gun indexes properly and goes on safety and half cock.
It would be nice to restore some of this old Colts' dignity. Is it worth it? I've only got $100.00 in it. It will never be a collectable, but I have been thinking about getting a correct period barrel and hammer and maybe a cylinder from coltparts.com. Assuming proper repair, would it be safe to shoot? Maybe I'm just too sentimental. I hate to just part this thing out. Comments Please.
And now for the good news! The numbers on the frame, trigger guard and back strap match. The old, wood, one-piece grips fit well and may be original, but are lightly refinished. I can make out 2 digits of a serial # on the cylinder, but from these numbers, it can't be the original one. You can make out the patent dates on the left frame and the 45 CAL on the trigger guard. The gun indexes properly and goes on safety and half cock.
It would be nice to restore some of this old Colts' dignity. Is it worth it? I've only got $100.00 in it. It will never be a collectable, but I have been thinking about getting a correct period barrel and hammer and maybe a cylinder from coltparts.com. Assuming proper repair, would it be safe to shoot? Maybe I'm just too sentimental. I hate to just part this thing out. Comments Please.
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got a line on an old Colt SAA that is stamped Pall Mall London.Serial number 1353. no Colt insignia's on the grips. grip looks like it takes a butt stock attachment. no other numbers.nay ideas would be appreciated! black grips (forgot that bit) 0 -
I would have it refinshed and rebuilt if necessary. It's still very desireable 1st generation Colt which sell for an arm and leg these days.
Since someone already messed with it I don't think you have anything to loose and everything to gain especially if you like cowboy type revolvers. There's nothing like an old Colt SAA. Just my .020 -
If I might make a suggestion. Since you only have a hunurd bucks in the old Colt. Pack it up ship it to Colt and get a estimate on a factory restoration. Their restoration services are top drawer, and not as expensive as one might imagine. They did a beautiful job on a SAA "peacemaker" of mine. It, like yours, had been the victim of some very shoddy repair and mutilation over the years. Now, it is a thing of wonder. I "wonder" how they could make it look so good when it looked so bad to start with. It too had to be rebarreled to restore it to original state. The tab was $1100, and it while not a museum piece, it sure looks like one. Just a thought. 0 -
Python is right. The gun is worth spending some serious money on restoration. Most important don't look to do it on the cheap by someone who is a legend in his own mind. That kind of work could make it look nice but a real pro job, such as factory, will be best in the long run and enhance its value the most.
Who's talking? I have been doing early arms restoration over 40 years, (not Colts, mostly flint and wheel). My books and videos reviewed in Gun Report.0
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