Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns A Couple of Colts Followed Me Home

Bought these from a local guy. I think I did ok on the 1911, it is a government model made in 1968, but the SAA, although made in 1922 (Gen 1 ?) has been buggered up pretty good. Paid $600 each. How did I do?

You did well, probably on both. How "buggered up" is the SAA?

That brass back strap and trigger guard on the Single Action are not original Colt S.A. parts, plus there is no matching serial number on it to match the rest of the frame. Looking at the base of the strap you can see where it doesn't quite fit.

If it is a Colt, the 245xxx serial number indicates that part of the revolver was mfg'd in 1903.

Looks like someone decided to play around with some after market parts on an old frame. I believe you have a "shooter" so long as it is not screwed up in the barrel or cylinder ..... and you don't feed it some fire breathing loads.


Nice Govt. Model Colt, however.

L.W.

yes, i suspected that backstrap was an add on at some point....grips too....there is no serial number on the cylinder...should there be?

Yes. Also there should be a couple of numbers on the loading gate that match the last two numbers of the serial number.

On the left side of the frame is the "rampant Colt" there along with the various Colt's patent dates??

What caliber is it? .45 Colt, .44-40. .38-40, etc., etc.?\

L.W.

Not a bad price for the 1911, SAA is nothing more than a shooter, and cheap enough that if you look hard enough you can find the correct parts to make it whole again.
The last two numbers of the SN should be found on the rear of the cylinder and the SN should not be on the grip frame
It's been refinished as there is no CC on the frame.
Also the metal shim between the grip and frame is not typical of a Colt SAA.
What's written on the barrel, top and left side ?
I have a 1920 SAA who's SN is only about 1300 away from yours. They made 341,000 SAA's in 1920, so with the SN that close they were made very close together.
The grips appear to be bone, if they were correct to a SAA they'd be worth a few $$$ with their age.
Here is a picture of mine, I have the Colt letter saying it's all original.
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wow that is very nice! I think mine lived a much harder life. lol
thanks everyone for the info...

mine is a .45 btw.....

Good buy on the 1911. About right on the SAA.

The SAA would be a perfect candidate for restoration. This one below was poorly refinished (nickle) and used during the fast-draw craze in the '50's. I added a new 2nd gen barrel and cylinder in .38 Special and had Eddie Janis put it together and refinish, including a proper bone and charcoal case color.
Bob

I really like that idea. Contact info for E. Janis please?

I don't know his particulars, but his business is Peacemaker Specialists in CA. He does superb work. Here's a better photo.
Bob

Another guy to consider is Alan Harton in Houston. Single Action Service.

looked at the Janis site....so...if I have $600 in this old pistol now...and I get him to do grips, backstrap, case color on the frame, etc, etc, for another $1000-$1500 (just a guess) will I come out the other end with a pistol worth the $1600-$2100 I will have spent on it?

Yes. It won't be as valuable as an unmolested 1st gen SAA, but you'll get your money back. And it'll be fun to shoot.
Bob

Man, I was hoping you would say that! lol

Doug Turnbull might be a good choice also

I will check him too...thanks.....