To me, the early 3rd Gen guns were the one without the cylinder bushing, like current and like the 1st Gen guns. I don't know exactly when that change occurred. Like I posted earlier, some tried to call these 4th Gen, as they are different. That never went over, and they're all considered to be 3rd. Gen.

Maybe someone can comment on when that change occurred. The workmanship and attention to detail seems better, at least to me, on these later guns vs. the early 3rd Gen's. Current SAA's are pretty nice. Buffing prior to case hardening and bluing seems better without dips and waves around the screw holes, etc.

DF

Here is a set of cowboy action, late 3rd Gen Colts in .38 Spec. Ivory by Nutmeg Sports. They were bought new by a CAS pard in Dallas, engraved by a retired Weatherby master engraver living in TX. I bought them used, then sent them to Nutmeg for the dead elephant treatment and deep dish medallions.

These guns have cylinder bushings and shoot as good as they look. The case colors on the later 3rd Gen guns look better to me than the earlier 3rd Gens, which seem to have more of a grey appearance with less color.

DF

Beautiful, tasteful guns.

+1!

Like signing on the dotted line for a new car. As soon as you sign the contract, and its yours and the finance company's, the resale value is immediately 5% less than what you purchased it for. Dang New-In-The-Box guns, guns that have never been handled by you...at ALL...would be hard to sell for what you paid unless you got a heck of a deal.

I would exempt 1st gen Colt SAA's from that rule; I think if you care for it and shoot it sparingly, in 5 years you could still recover your money plus some, provided you didn't pay too much to begin with.

I would certainly agree with that. Not so long very few wanted 3rd generation Colts. I'd still much rather have a USFA or Ruger as a shooter but nothing beats the historical or intrinsic value of a first generation Colt. Even those that were rode hard and used well have appreciated a lot of the last several years.

Dave

According to Don Wilkerson's book "The Post War Single Action Army 1976-1986" the seperateable cylinder bushing was dropped in favor to the press fitted cylinder bushing because of lower production costs. But also according to him the seperate cylinder bushing wasn't necessary anymore because of better quality of the steel used to produce the cylinders in the 3rd Gen. Colt SAA. In former times it was less expensive to change a cylinder bushing instead of a complete cylinder when due to a steel made of less quality the cylinder was worn out and had a loose fit to the base pin. (Hope I expressed myself correctly - I'm from Germany).
So that is the reason why I won't hesitate to buy an early but not too early 3rd. Gen. Colt SAA.

Interesting for those who would like to buy a Colt SAA is this page:

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/show_inventory.php?catID=13

I've dealt with Collectors for years, many deals, but never a Colt. I've always thought they overpriced their SAA's, as well as other guns wearing that brand.

Better places to buy a Colt, unless they happen to have a certain piece you can't live without.

DF

ElmerKeith:

Thank you for posting the link to the Collectors' Firearms web site. Some of the detailed photographs of various pieces are extraordinary!

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