Tell me more about my SAA

[XxWINxX94]

I acquired this SAA recently for next to nothing. I have done some homework on it and believe the S/N of 255, 6XX dates it to 1905 making it an early smokeless powder model.

The S/N matches in three locations, the frame, the front of the trigger guard area and the bottom near the grips, but appears nowhere else on the gun.

The hammer has the enclosed checkering/knurling with a line underneath, which per my blue book confirms it is pre-1906, as they changed the hammer design that year. This is providing the whole thing isn't a parts gun, but given the frame date I believe it to be correct.

It has a 1. and a 5. vertically on the bottom of the frame on the side without the loading area, I have no idea what this means and it is nowhere else on the gun.

It also has the number 68 on the loading gate. "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 45" on the side of the barrel and "COLT'S PT FA MFG CO HARTFORD CT USA" on the top, as well as the pony symbol on the cylinder

The grips are not original, they appear to be bone and say Ajax N.M. #1 grips on them, they are of seemingly good quality, but clearly not original to this gun. Also, I suspect it to have been worked on a bit, it appears the hammer and lower frame are blued or were blued, whereas the rest of the gun is nickel, or vice versa.

Have not had the opportunity to shoot it yet. It locks up decently, cylinder has a little side to side play but barely any forward and backwards play. Very smooth hammer pull and crisp, fairly light trigger pull.

Can the experts here at THR me anything more about this gun? I may eventually purchase a letter if I decide to keep it, but would like to know as much as I can before that. Would be curious to hear opinions on value as well, this gun may be for sale.

Thanks!

 

[CraigC]

At some point the gun was pitted and in pretty rough shape. It has obviously been refinished and the parts polished separate that should've been polished together. Looks like it might have a 2nd generation cylinder as well. It's a good shooter grade Colt but not something I'd spend the money on a letter for. Good looking Ajax stags too. Without accounting for $300 worth of stags, I'd say the gun is worth about $1200-$1500.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

My book places that SN at 1904. The number on the loading gate is an assembly number and does not mean anything. The SN appearing in the three places you mention is typical of many 1st Gen Colts. As CraigC said, your gun has been refinished, probably because it was heavily rusted and pitted. Unfortunately the refinisher had a heavy hand on the polishing wheel and dished out the screw holes on the side of the frame a bit.

 

[XxWINxX94]

Interesting. I agree, the pony marking on the cylinder looks newer despite the consistent condition/wear with it and the frame. Do you think that if I ever decided to sell I should keep the grips with the gun or sell them separately given that they are Ajax stag?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I would sell the grips, replace them with nice walnut and pocket the difference. Then go shoot it and see how you like it.

Some folks, like me, just never get the SA bug.....Ive had Blackhawks and Single Sixes, but they just weren't that fun for me. My Dad is the opposite.....

The amount of joy you derive from shooting it will guide you, especially since its not a super high end collectible and it doesn't hurt your wallet all that much to keep it.

Nice gun, good luck!