Colt Single Action Army

[Greg V]

Forgive me if this is not the right forum. I didn't see another one that seemed to covered these. I believe that this is a Colt SSA, please correct me if I am wrong. The serial number is 200,xxx and is marked on the bottom of the frame and again very close to that on the front of the trigger guard where it meets the frame. The only other marking not pictured, is a small triangle on the bottom of the frame, just above the serial number. From what I have found, it was manufactured in 1900. Again, please correct me if this is incorrect. Any information shared would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Greg V

Information

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[Jim K]

It appears to be exactly that, a Colt Single Action Army, 4 3/4" barrel, .45 caliber. The serial number should also be on the bottom of the butt. The gun is worn and well used but appears to be in pretty good shape; it may have been subjected to a "restoration" attempt at some point. The holster is old but I can't put an exact age to it.

What else did you want to know?

Jim

[Greg V]

Thanks Jim,

The serial number is also stamped on the bottom of the butt. There are a few parts that look to have been replaced. The front screw, of the three that are close together in the frame, looks newer than the others. Also, the left grip is black, whereas the right is brownish. I assume the left is a replacement. The finish looks to be almost completely worn away, but there are only a couple of tiny spots of pitting. Not too bad for such an old piece. I have never seen one before. Even though these are not my area of intereast, it is pretty neat. It belongs to a friend. It has been in his family for as long as he can remember, but he has no history on it.

Any rough idea of it's value?

Thanks Again, Greg V

[Greg V]

Forgot to mention. There is a number 525 tatmped inside the piece that flips out for loading the cylinder. Sorry, not sure of the correct term for that part. Should that number actually match the last three of the serial number?

[RayP.]

Forgot to mention. There is a number 525 tatmped inside the piece that flips out for loading the cylinder. Sorry, not sure of the correct term for that part. Should that number actually match the last three of the serial number?

The part you are refering to is called the Loading Gate,you are correct about last 3 numbers.
Times being what they are makes it kind of hard to price guns as of late,but I would guess $1,500/$3,500,I know thats a big spread but thats why it's called a "guess",check auction sites for equal type gun and you'll get real time going prices,check Cabelas and some of the other dealers and you'll probably find their asking prices to be 15/20% higher than finished auction prices.

RayP.

[Jim K]

Nope, the number on the loading gate is an assembly number and will not (except by coincidence) match the last three of the serial number. It should match the frame assembly number which is on the frame but can't be seen until the front strap/trigger guard is removed.

So, what is an assembly number? A manufacturer often has parts that are carefully fitted to other parts either for working together or for appearances. In an older S&W revolver, the crane was fitted to the frame, in the Colt SAA the loading gate was fitted. But the fitting is done before final polishing and bluing or case hardening and the assembly number is used to make sure the proper parts get back together again after the finish work is done. The serial numbering was done later after the polishing and other finish work was done and just before bluing or case coloring.

Jim

[smokey]

Jim K, is right. That # is an assembly number and should match the assembly # on the frame under the trigger guard.The loading gate was polished on the frame prior to casehardening. The parts were separated prior to "casing" and rejoined by assembly numbers after. Regards, Nick

[RayP.]

Nope, the number on the loading gate is an assembly number and will not (except by coincidence) match the last three of the serial number. It should match the frame assembly number which is on the frame but can't be seen until the front strap/trigger guard is removed.

So, what is an assembly number? A manufacturer often has parts that are carefully fitted to other parts either for working together or for appearances. In an older S&W revolver, the crane was fitted to the frame, in the Colt SAA the loading gate was fitted. But the fitting is done before final polishing and bluing or case hardening and the assembly number is used to make sure the proper parts get back together again after the finish work is done. The serial numbering was done later after the polishing and other finish work was done and just before bluing or case coloring.

Jim

Learn something new every day,probably had a dozen or more over the years,missing/broken parts,etc;used to rebuild/refinish them,all non-original in need of repair/refinishexcept for one(or so I thought),must have been coincidence(or part swaped) that the loading gate #'s matched last 3 ser#s on that one,the one I thought was original must been worked over several years before,couldn't tell it,sure was a beautiful pistol,paid $40 for it,refinished or not,it ws a bargin.

RayP.

[Dave]

That brownish grip may not be a replacment, they sometimes turn that way with age. They were "hard rubber", not sure what that is but not plastic.

[Jim K]

The original hard rubber (called "gutta percha" at the time) grips do turn brown or even greenish with age, but both grips usually age in the same way. There are exceptions where one grip is laying in something that preserves it while the other is exposed, but that is uncommon. The most common reason for mismatched grips is simply that one broke and was replaced; on that gun, it is the brown grip that is the original, while the black is the replacement.

Another effect of time on hard rubber is that it becomes very brittle and will crack if placed under any strain. Care must be exercised when removing any of those old grips.

Colt SAA grips are available from a number of suppliers, including Colt. Some fitting may be needed because original grips were polished down with the grip straps, so a perfect fit with replacement grips is unlikely.

(OT, but the Savage auto pistols are often seen with broken grips since removal requires flexing; a good idea at the time when the grips were new, but now a recipe for disaster.)

Jim