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View Full Version : Colt SA Army ?????


Zoff12
11-20-2005, 01:54 AM
A buddy of mine recently inherited a Colt Single Action Army. I was hoping you guys could give me some information on this weapon and just a ballpark $$$ value. He wants the $$$ for insurance purposes...if it's worth it.

History...He got it from his Father who just passed away about a month ago. His Father got it from his Father who got it from his Father. So...it's my friend's Great Grandfather who started this. Don't know exactly when Great Grandad got the pistol but he was a Justice Of The Peace in a small West Virginia town at the turn of the century. He also owned a General Store. Possible he took this in trade for items sold. It has a name scratched into the grips (on the inside - have to remove grip to see), that we cannot fully make out, who was the original owner. Great Grandad also scratched his name into the other grip (on the inside also). There is a small cross or X, depending on how you look at it, on the bottom of one of the grips. The family story, handed down directly from the mouth of Grandad (not Great Grandad) is those marks represent the only two men Great Grandad had to kill in his JOP career. Great Grandad scratched these into the grips. So much for the history.

Now...Facts....7 1/4" Barrel...Serial Number 3002XX. All numbers match. Grips are rubber and almost worn smooth. Gun is a little loose. .45 LC...Brown patina...well used but still shootable...it has been shot recently and properly cleaned and put away. Rifling is weak but still existant. I can't advise as to % as I am not good at this. Pics speak...here they are...

Left Side (http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/1053PM_1.JPG)
Right Side (http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/1053PM_2.JPG)
Grip marking (http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/1053PM_GRIP_MARKINGS.JPG)

He is going to do the Colt request thing but was wondering on what to expect from Colt. Any idea of value? Year of manufacture? Any information you guys can advise would be helpful.

Dan Morris
11-20-2005, 03:16 PM
IMO, Paul, I'd rate it at $750 up to a couple of grand! His personal value...priceless!
Dan

Zoff12
11-20-2005, 03:36 PM
Hmmmm....not what I was expecting. Seems it's an 1870's production or atleast before 1900. I thought it would be worth more than that. Thanks!

Steven Mace
11-20-2005, 04:14 PM
Paul, based on the serial number your buddies Colt SAA was made in 1907. It would be considered an early smokeless powder SAA. This version was made from about 1896-1908. For a point of reference, the Blue Book Of Gun Values - 26th Edition lists the following values for this revolver:

98% - $15,000
95% - $12,000
90% - $8,500
80% - $7,000
70% - $6,000
60% - $5,000
50% - $4,200
40% - $3,500
30% - $3,000
20% - $2,500
10% - $2,000

I would stongly suggest that your friend follow through and contact Colt to verify it's history. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

Zoff12
11-20-2005, 04:36 PM
I will advise him of that. Thanks for the info guys...about 5K was what I was thinking it is worth. I'll let him know.

Dan Morris
11-20-2005, 09:14 PM
Guess I was being conservative....LOL....truely, it is worth some $$$...not counting personal value...................
I don't have access to Steve library...
dan

Zoff12
11-20-2005, 09:27 PM
Oh...I'm thankful to the both of you! Ya'll should have seen his face when I told him the value. Priceless but also sad. He was thinking he had something worth $25,000. I tried to tell him this but he'll still have it appraised by a professional. Where? Dunno! Colt will give him some info so that will help. Thanks again!