Colt SAA - what am I looking at, here?

[bigbossman]

Went to a gun show today, and this one caught my eye. A 1906'ish Colt SAA, in what I consider a desirable caliber, 38-40. I know that new Gen 3 ones go for around $2000, but I would rather have an "original" one with patina. The trouble is, I know absolutely nothing about these revolvers except that they are expensive and buying one without being knowledgeable is fraught with danger.

Please - SAA experts.... take a look and tell me what you think.

[200Apples]

Without taking it apart (looking for rust, cracked springs, general wear), slugging the bore, measuring the throats, etc... that looks like a nifty piece. Unless all of the external screws were changed at some point in time, those've never been buggered. Good sign.

[200Apples]

*I'm not a Colt expert. I'm only suggesting what might mostly consist of a general examination of it's condition. Obviously.




Good luck!

[rcslotcar]

The first thing that caught my attention was the condition of the screws! If the rest is as nice it would go home with me!!!!

[Wyatt Burp]

At first glance it looks like an honest old patina that matches the wear of the grips. But looking closer the frame patent dates, rampant Colt horse stamp, and barrel caliber markings look faded due to an old polishing. But maybe it's just the light. it could be natural wear, but I doubt it.

[DolphinFan]

Nice Find. Looks good from the outside and it has the same serial numbers so a good start.
Need to check the timing and barrel wear. but not a lot of roll marks on the cylinder.

Offer $2,500 and see what they say.

[Sutcliffe]

[Old Marine]

Make sure you get the 4 clicks and the cylinder locks up when the hammer is all the way back, the cylinder spins when the hammer is pulled back a bit ( might be the 1st stop of the hammer)

Check the serial number on Colt to verify the date.
Also, check with the folks atthe Colt forum. Most of them will have a great idea of worth and items to watch for. grips look really new for a pistol that has that much patina.

[highpower]

I have been looking at first gen Colts with an eye to getting one. The first thing that struck me is the screws don't look like they have been messed with by someone with a crappy screwdriver. Second thing is the finish is too evenly missing from the entire gun. Usually there will be traces of blue in the crevasses where holsters don't touch, so I think it may have been cleaned a bit to enthusiastically at some point.

grips look really new for a pistol that has that much patina.

Look at the way the checkering has been worn from where a shooters hand grips the gun. There is in fact a fair amount of wear those areas and they are the correct Rampant Colt style for that gun. I believe they are original and probably came on that gun from the factory.

All in all it's not a bad shooter grade single action Colt. I always prefer to personally inspect an old gun before I can make any sort of opinion on the value. However from the pictures it looks like basically a fairly decent old Colt with next to zero percent finish left. If it checked out, I would probably be a buyer in the two grand range, maybe a bit higher if the bore is really nice.

[Nardo1895]

I'm a beginner on these but have picked up a few. I have found this book to be helpful:

https://www.amazon.com/Colt-Single-Action-Army-Revolver/dp/0913150630/ref=sr_1_11?crid=1GNWND8BX37J9&keywords=colt+single+action&qid=1666631916&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjI2IiwicXNhIjoiMS44OCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMzcifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=colt+single+action%2Cstripbooks%2C152&sr=1-11

Its underwhelming at first, its pocket sized and maybe 20 pages. But it does list transition points; when the roll marks changed, when the extractor changed, etc. Also easy to carry around at a gun show.

That one does look like its been vigorously cleaned during its lifetime. But its still a vintage Colt with a lot of character.

I'm on the prowl for a similar revolver in 44-40. I keep passing on examples thinking they are too expensive only to find that the next one is even more. How's that saying go? "The best time to buy was yesterday and the next best time is now." Or something like that.

[GM4spd]

You need to go on a Colt forum,specifically the SAA section. These guys are experts on what is correct and not correct. If you are intent on spending that kind of money,you want to be sure. Colt 3rd Gen guns are still made in that caliber and they are brand new,look great,and shoot well.

[TRAP55]

It's 1906, something about the finish I can't put my finger on. Almost like the whole thing got a heavy rubdown with steel wool? The wear is too even to happen from use.
I would want to see what's under the grips, and be able to cycle it a few times to see if it locks up before full cock. That tells you the lever on the end of the bolt is worn out, or a problem with the pin on the side of the hammer that trips it, neither one is a cheap fix. What's the bore look like? and I'm guessing momma doesn't know you're buying this?

[Spaffo]

20200916_181628.jpgThe finish looks like a Hand-Ejector S&W that I soaked in vinegar to remove what little finish was left. That was a $100 shooter though, no signifigant collector value.

[pitfighter]

OP - Did you buy it?

Great looking revolver.

[bigbossman]

You need to go on a Colt forum,specifically the SAA section. These guys are experts on what is correct and not correct. If you are intent on spending that kind of money,you want to be sure. Colt 3rd Gen guns are still made in that caliber and they are brand new,look great,and shoot well.

Good advice.

It's 1906, something about the finish I can't put my finger on. Almost like the whole thing got a heavy rubdown with steel wool? The wear is too even to happen from use.
I would want to see what's under the grips, and be able to cycle it a few times to see if it locks up before full cock. That tells you the lever on the end of the bolt is worn out, or a problem with the pin on the side of the hammer that trips it, neither one is a cheap fix. What's the bore look like? and I'm guessing momma doesn't know you're buying this?

Momma does what she's told. Actually, I just sold two Garands out of my collection, because they are commanding stupid high prices. Now I have a big 'ol wad of "collection" money burning a hole in my pocket. I grew up watching westerns, and have always wanted a real Colt SAA. That's why the 1st generation guns fascinate me so much, as opposed to a brand new one. When I had it in my hands it was zip-tied and I wasn't seriously considering it, so I did not check function. The bore looked good, though. The wear does look pretty even, doesn't it. Kind of bothers me, too.

OP - Did you buy it?

Great looking revolver.

I have not - still nibbling around the edges. I know nothing about these things other than I really, really want one, and I am a bit reticent because it would be a very expensive mistake to spend this kind of money on what might turn out to be a paperweight.