View Full Version : Colt SAA Gen1 value?
I have an opportunity to purchase a Gen 1 Colt SAA revolver. S/N lookup says it was built in 1899. It's in 45 colt, 4 3/4" barrel. It appears to be unmolested, and the finish is fair, I suppose. I know zip about these things and have no idea what it might be worth or what I should offer. Are there any Colt experts here who could chip in on this thing?
https://i.imgur.com/8sd7TRJ.jpg
kidicarus13
01-20-2022, 10:50
I know nothing about SAA's except buyer beware.
https://www.historynet.com/colts-werent-legal-forgeries.htm
https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/buying-colt-single-actions-a-beginners-guide-unique-auction/
Does it have the vp on the trigger guard? It should and would be good for modern ammo, if not the black powder ammo is harder to fine and more expensive. It’s a good caliber, the right barrel length and pretty good outward appearance. Does it have four clicks when the hammer is pulled back? Does each cylinder lock up when cocked? We will need more photos to add to my comments.
EDIT: Looking at it on my computer (rather than phone) it looks pretty good. Grips may be replacements as they look a bit nice compared to the rest of the gun.
Like the 55 Chevy Cameo pickups, there are more of them in existence than ever actually produced. I?m definitely not an expert in this field but judging by the wear and patina I would expect quite a bit more for its age. I do get that there are clean, well loved examples though. Also, the logo on the frame with the pony in the circle doesn?t seem well stamped with makes me mildly suspicious. That really isn?t a high wear area and I would think that back in the day the quality control at Colt wouldn?t have shipped something like that out. Again, this is all total speculation on my part.
Hopefully it is a legit piece and you can get someone knowledgeable to verify that.
Bailey Guns
01-20-2022, 20:06
I'm no expert by any means. But I do know if that's a legit 1st Gen gun it could be worth a bundle...like north of $3k. I do believe on the shorter barreled guns like that the address should be in 2 lines on the right side of the barrel. Should click 4 times. Aside from that I believe that's a smokeless powder frame gun because it has the cross pin to remove the cylinder instead of a screw on the front of the frame. That's about the extent of what I think I know...
I had it evaluated by a local shop that was recommended as being knowledgeable. According to them it's legit and completely unmolested except for where someone had the barrel in a vise to bang on the front sight. It's also in perfect mechanical condition. He evaluated the finish as 40%. The dude spent 40 minutes looking at it. Lots of "Oh, wow" and "holy crap" comments. According to them, it's pretty cool. I'm in negotiations with the buyer over the price. I'm looking forward to loading up some powder puff loads for it and giving it a whirl.
It's pretty darn cool to hold a cowboy gun in your hands that was around back when the only forms of transportation were trains, horses, and shoe leather. If I can get the seller to part with it at a reasonable price I'll send off to Colt for one of their letters. I guess they're worth more if they originally shipped somewhere out west vs New Jersey or whatever.
This is going to force me to buy a lever gun to go with it. I wonder if I can find one made the same year...
UncleDave
03-10-2022, 08:56
For an archive letter you don’t need to send in the gun, just the serial number. It takes a few months to get the letter back, but definitely worth it for collector value.
OP, it?s been well over a month since you posted in this thread.
Did you end up buying it?
Inquiring minds want to know.
I did buy it. Haven't shot it yet, but a friend here has some brass for me and I have a pound of powder (Trailboss maybe?) I might use. I'm pretty concerned about blowing it up with a modern fast burning powder.
I did buy it. Haven't shot it yet, but a friend here has some brass for me and I have a pound of powder (Trailboss maybe?) I might use. I'm pretty concerned about blowing it up with a modern fast burning powder.
Obviously you don?t want to blow it up but most of the factory 45 ammunition you?ll find is pretty watered down so that nobody blows up an old revolver. I?ve only loaded for SAA clones and always used modern propellants without an issue.
Anyhow, glad to hear that you managed to snag it. An original Colt single action has always been high at the top of my bucket list.
Turnbull's could make that gorgeous.......
89766
Restore it? Sacrilege. Burn him!
Restore it? Sacrilege. Burn him!
Like.
Agreed.
.455_Hunter
03-11-2022, 08:15
I did buy it. Haven't shot it yet, but a friend here has some brass for me and I have a pound of powder (Trailboss maybe?) I might use. I'm pretty concerned about blowing it up with a modern fast burning powder.
Trailboss is not really a low pressure powder- it has a very fast rise time.
I would research loads with actual BP or a true BP substitute. The muzzleloading shop in Manitou Springs had BP in January.
Trailboss is not really a low pressure powder- it has a very fast rise time.
I would research loads with actual BP or a true BP substitute. The muzzleloading shop in Manitou Springs had BP in January.
Good idea. I’ll get on that.
Restore it? Sacrilege. Burn him!
I was kinda half kidding, I'd leave it original too. Besides, who could afford Turnbull's work? I've been there and toured the shop, helluva a place and top-shelf work, but hella expensive.....
I did buy it. Haven't shot it yet, but a friend here has some brass for me and I have a pound of powder (Trailboss maybe?) I might use. I'm pretty concerned about blowing it up with a modern fast burning powder.
Running smokeless powder can be problematic as even with light loads the peak pressures can exceed the capability of the action. While currently out of stock, try:
https://www.buffaloarms.com/45-colt-250-grain-rnfp-black-p-amobp45lc.html
Your pistol lacks the VP (verified proof) mark that indicates it can be used with smokeless powder but it may be fine given your date of manufacture and caliber. I don't know the full answer but would suggest black powder only until you know for sure.
Good on you, my only thought besides only using black powder that at least in the photo the grip appears in much nicer shape than the revolver. I used to collect 1st and 2nd Gen saa and would call anything under $3k for that a good deal, hope you were able to get close to that price to take it home. Not my business but just a though, oh and CONGRATS!!
Nra-Life-Member
07-07-2022, 05:58
You may want to check out Coltforum.com Lots of information on SAA's.
Nice looking Colt.
Update
Could you post some additional pictures showing the factory markings?
Dragging up my own old post. I still have this. At first, my daughter was crazy excited about it. She's utterly lost interest, and I've decided I don't need an expensive paperweight.
So, how should a fella go about trying to find the right kind of buyer?
BPTactical
01-13-2024, 12:50
Dragging up my own old post. I still have this. At first, my daughter was crazy excited about it. She's utterly lost interest, and I've decided I don't need an expensive paperweight.
So, how should a fella go about trying to find the right kind of buyer?
A collectors auction house is likely to be your best bet.
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