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.
0
-
Would someone who has the proper research data please tell me when a Colt SAA was made?The serial # is 74969. It's in .38-40 cal.Thanks,Mudge
Anyone who CAN carry, SHOULD carry!0 -
Thank you S-PIG!! How do I get a letter from Colt? and what's the deal with that grip (ie. looking like it takes a butt stock)?
Cheers0 -
Its easy enough to tell if it takes a but stock, = Look at the bottom of the grip frame, if the is a Latch Indention, it takes a butt stock.
Sam Colt Catered to The Big Boys, and Often Made Special Editions for Special People, (often as Gifts, the man was a Great at Promoting his Merchandize).
The "EARL of PALL MALL" was an English Station of Rank, whether Sam gave the Gun as a Gift (which is intirely possible). Question: Where is the PALL MALL stamped? (If it was a one time gun production, I doubt it would have been stamped, but engraved)Could have been 1 of a Number of Guns Ordered By PALL MALL as Gifts?
Does the Pistol Have "Samuel Colt, New York" on the Barrel? Need to get Specific, this piece could be worth Major Bucks, the Serial Number states a very early Colt 1st Generation. But SAXON is 100% correct, a Letter of Authentication is Imperative.
Ronnie G. Perkins0 -
Pall Mall is an address in London. 0 -
just a word of caution...
this is the most faked gun in the history of the world. a carefull inspection by someone familier with these arms, who knows how to spot a fake, and what to look for is recomended. these are even faked to appear to be in poor shape, or artificialy aged and damaged. the COLT letter is a good idea, giving a correct gun provenance, and increasing the value. best regards, mike.
What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.0 -
Thank you very much one and all! I'm trying to be careful. Can anyone advise where to apply for the Colt letter? I guess I should try finding colt on the net and follow my nose.
About conterfiets: Mike, would a counterfeiter think to add Pall Mall and London on to it and keep it in a backwater such as where I live? best to be sure. thank you.Plads0 -
Just found out it says Depot19, PallMall, London. 0 -
Your s/n was shipped 9/2/73 to the US Govt unless it is or was
originally a rimfire which carried a separate s/n series.
First mention of the Pall Mall address was in 1876.
What is the caliber?
What lettering appears in the address?
Are the address markings in italics or block letters?
As has been said earlier, a Colt expert needs to authenticate
and evaluate this pistol.0 -
adding or altering the markings to raise the value (to decieve, for profit) is the most common form of alteration found. adding "WELLS FARGO" or a unit designation is often seen. these guns saw service in some odd countries, with some odd troops. an 1851 COLT NAVY with the LONDON adress brings far more money that the standard commercial US variant. "PINKERTONS", "OSS", "SECRET SERVICE", "SAS", ... you get the idea. these markings evoke an emotional response. true collectors triple check any gun with non standard, or non US markings because there are more fakes on the market then the originals.
about 5 years ago a dealer got caught selling M-1 GARAND rifles with false and forged (fake) US COAST GAURD markings. it happens more then you realize. best regards, mike.
What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.0 -
If it's a Single Action Army, it wasn't made in London....the London Colt Armory only operated from 1853 to 1857, long before the SAA...but may well have been sold through the Colt Agency at Pall Mall in London.
To contact the Colt historian for a letter of authenticity, see here:
http://www.colt.com/CMCI/historical.asp0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments