• The Shot You’ll Never Forget Giveaway - Enter To Win A Barrel From Rifle Barrel Blanks!

    Tell us about the best or most memorable shot you’ve ever taken. Contest ends June 13th and remember: subscribe for a better chance of winning!

    Join contest Subscribe

Suppressors Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need Info

J

jasonk

Very Snipery
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 23, 2007
5,765
9
Vancouver, Washington
#1
Not really tactical, but it once was....

Who can tell me what about this pistol? It belongs to a friend that got it passed down, it needs some repair as the cylinder doesn't lock when cocked and actually spins backwards when the hammer comes down.

Any good gunsmiths someone can recommend to go through it? What would one expect to pay for this service? Any idea on the value? I assume modern 45 Colt loads wouldn't be safe?

Thanks in advance!!

55ox3d.jpg


2nw1po3.jpg


2daljd5.jpg


650gok.jpg


dlg51k.jpg


10d9vl3.jpg
 
#2
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need Info

Nice smokewagon you got there. I have never had work like this done but there is an outfit named peacemaker specialists I have heard mentioned that you might try getting ahold of. Their website is peacemakerspecialists.com.

Hope this helps,
Steve
 
#4
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need Info

Thanks to both so far.

I too noticed the gaps, I "think" that with some love they could be tightened up, if it were mine I'd take all the screws out and see if I could work on it some myself. However, since it's a friends and has sentimentel value to him then I'm not tinkering on this one.

Thanks for the dating too Sako.
 
#7
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need Info

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks to both so far.

I too noticed the gaps, I "think" that with some love they could be tightened up, if it were mine I'd take all the screws out and see if I could work on it some myself. However, since it's a friends and has sentimentel value to him then I'm not tinkering on this one.

Thanks for the dating too Sako. </div></div>

Knowing your history with screws, I would HIGHLY recommend against this.
laugh.gif
 
#8
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need Info

The back side of the trigger guard being seperated like that may have something to do with the lock-up problem. A decent gunsmith should have no trouble figuring it out. I could if it was in my hands. I'm not a gunsmith but I've had many SAA's and have taken many completely apart.

It's a very good looking, honest SAA from what I can tell from the pics.
 
#10
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need Info

I was able to basically close that gap, was playing with it and I could simply push the grip forward and finger turn the screws in...I'm a Colt-smith now.

However, the gun still won't lockup and doesn't half cock (which I believe it should), the hammer only stays back by itself at full cock.
 
#15
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need

Turnbull is definitely the place to go if you want it restored but that will cut the value in HALF! Your gun is probably worth $2000+ as it sits. It needs a new ejector since the handle appears to be broken off but those are not serial numbered so just a similarly worn one will be fine.
As far as the cocking problem, it will hurt the value somewhat. But if it doesn't require a new hammer and no parts of the frame or grip-strap are broken it shouldn't be hard or expensive to fix.
 
#16
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need

sounds like a broken bolt spring. The bolt is the part that fits into the notch on the cylinder. If the hand was bad, the bolt would not drop down and the cylinder wouldn't turn. Withe grip frame screws loose, it may be as simple as the screw holding the flat spring for the bolt is loose. Most gunsmiths should at least know how to determine was is wrong with it. As said above, it will need a new ejector rod or a new head for the one in there. Make sure all the screws are there to hold the grip frame in place. The screw on the butt may not be correct as I don't recall them setting proud to the frame.
 
#18
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need

Your friend needs to ask himself a few questions...
does he want to put it on display as is?
does he want to make it functional again?
does he want to shoot it?
does he want to sell it?

in other words, what is his final goal for the gun?

There is no "local gunsmith" that should be allowed to touch it IMO.

Turnbull is the company. They know as much about these guns as anyone did at the Colt factory in 1901, and they produce a better quality copy today than Colt did the original.

To me, there is nothing wrong with repairing the gun, as long as it is done correctly and by the right craftsmen. This can be done with original Colt parts (Turnbull can find them if they can be found), or Turnbull can make new parts (correctly.) The original non-working parts can be retained for "value" if teh new buyer wants them.

Regarding value, the gun is what it is.

It's a gun in need of repair. That doesn't mean you have to completely refurbish it, but making it functional - by Turnbull - will add more value to it IMO.
 
#19
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need

You know - I've never been a collector of firearms. I shoot all my stuff pretty hard BUT I've always wanted a Colt SAA that was all pimped out. Chrome with pearl handles and such.

Your friend should figure out what he wants as an end result and work backwards from there. Only let a qualified Colt SAA specialist work on that beauty - it's a piece of history that needs to be preserved.
 
#20
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need Info

I would put on the brakes and slow down. Put a call in to Colt and find out if any history can be put into play. It doesn't take but very little to change the value of Generation 1 Colts 2-3times over. When you get firearm properly appraised, then decide if you want a shooter or a possible collector piece. It will bring a stiff chunk of change as is now! krw
 
#21
Re: Old Colt Revolver - Single Action Army - Need Info

What I might do , if I owned it :
- the grips appear to be gutta percha ( a rubber derivative , I think ) , probably original . If so , they will have the serial number of THAT revolver scratched into them , on the inside . Those were checkered at one time , indicating how much they have been handled ( those have been handled a lot , but maintained , IMHO ).
- IF ALL of the numbers on the ALL of the parts match - that is very good . The finish is not always critical on older weapons - especially historical pieces .
- Does he know whose initials are scratched into the butt , does he know if that person was the original buyer ? Was he famous/infamous ( lawman , Texas Ranger , bank robber , etc.)? Colt does have a research section , as KRW mentioned . However , they will only tell you who the original buyer was ( i.e. , person , hardware store , gunshop , etc. Colt will charge you for this info , sent on a document . If you know the buyer already , is the document worth $200-$300 ( you can add it to the price)?. How many times can you document that it has changed hands ? Thay's a 4-3/4 barrel 'civilian model'... Provenance = value ... Don't alter,don't rush... Good luck ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Old Colt Revolver Value Website
Replies
10
Views
656
sirhrmechanic
sirhrmechanic
V
Advice on Cartridge and Rifle (and a lot of other stuff) for High Accuracy Bolt Action Rifle
Replies
21
Views
1K
Dead Eye Dick
Dead Eye Dick
Blue Sky Country
Ulysses S. Grant's personal set of ornately decorated Remington New Model Army revolvers sold for $5,170,000 by Rock Island Auction.
Replies
0
Views
1K
Blue Sky Country
Blue Sky Country
L
Need Info On Possible Fake Recon Sniper
Replies
31
Views
2K
Ronws
Ronws
eastexsteve
Backup generators - I've used them for decades. My take..
Replies
80
Views
3K
Earnhardt
E
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts