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U.S Colt 45

2K views 24 replies 8 participants last post by  Tom DeRosa 
#1 ·
I have a US Colt 45 Frame# 8702, Trigger Housing #19069, Wheel# 3333. I would like some help in determining the value of this Colt. Thanks I have no idea of the year or any data. If fires great.
 

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#2 · (Edited)
My computer is not the best in the world, and so the pictures were not all that great. I looked up those numbers and found:

Frame is a Colt made in 1874 - serial number 8702

Trigger housing was made in 1875 for serial number 19069

Wheel (?) cylinder maybe???? for serial number 3333 was made in 1874.

The finish I can see looks like a re-blue. Most of these revolvers were modified with a shortend barrel from the original 7 1/2" 1873 model to as I remember was a new standard of 5 1/2 inches. Someone with more expertise will jump in here, but from what I can gather, yours is likely an arsenal rebuild 'First Model" 1873 Colt SAA. Again a collector can give you a more precise value. My information is from the Colt's Dates of Manufacture by R. L. Wilson.
 
#3 ·
Better pictures will be needed to give a fair value. It appears to be a colt artillery model made from parts. This is not uncommon. I have seen many in this serial number range. The blue may be arsenal original but I can not confirm that. Overall a decent looking gun. They seem to sell between 3000 to 5000 and maybe more if condition warrants it. Does the gun function PROPERLY? Many of these have damaged hammers and triggers. About 300 dollars to fix.
 
#7 ·
As Mike pointed out, the result of the rebuilt 1873 SAA 'Cavalry' model was known as the Artillery Model. A lot of the longer 7 1/2" barreled SAAs were modified with the shorter barrel and pressed back into service during the Phillipine and Moro Insurections because of the inadequate performance of the .38 Colt double action revolers. As I recall history, the Moros were Muslims who were hopped-up on drugs when they attacked and were very hard to stop with the old .38 Colt service round. The .45 Colt did the trick, and that was why they were pressed back into service. Mis-matched numbers are the norm for altered .45s like yours.

I just noticed your post where you said you fired it last week. Be careful firing your's, because your pistol was produced for BLACKPOWDER loads.
 
#12 ·
In Florida, you can do a face to face, with no federal paperwork involved. Just get proof of who you're selling it to. When I buy one like this ( or sell ), I put on paper the fact that I asked them if they were a felon,or prohibited from buying guns, when the say No, I have them sign it.
 
#15 ·
this is an antique and can be mailed to most states with no FFL needed. I would list it on ********* with good pictures and start the auction a penny. The shop I deal with does this all the time and we always get more then we expect. This gun will get good attention and draw plenty of bids. We got 1050.00 for a real piece of junk colt doing just this. I would not have paid 200.00 for the gun, it was that bad. I would think this gun should sell between 1500 and 2500. 1500 being a very low estimate and more the 2500 is possible. A bidding war is your friend. It goes up instead of being asked to take less.
 
#16 ·
The penny auction is a great idea. When my LGS gets an interesting or unusual piece in on a trade they put it on AuctionArms. They make sure a good description in made and plenty of pictures. The bidding always starts at a penny and they have never failed to get more than they expect.
 
#19 ·
My suggestion for auctions is to always start the item at the least amount (net of costs) that you would be able to live with getting for it. I don't like reserves either, but they are a useful tool for a penny-start auction, IMO.

Everybody has different opinions about this; a friend of mine. who does a lot of selling (he is an FFL) almost always uses reserves.
 
#20 ·
I went to the Leesburg, Fl gun show I was told the SEAR is bad The barrel is loose and the Ejector rod i not original. The guy offered me 1000.00 but said he would not after he checked it out.
I said I would not sell for 1000.00, lets talk at 2000.00. Well how do you fix a sear on and old gun and the barrel issue. Thanks guys. I am a novice at this as you can see.
 
#23 ·
................................If the guy offered you 1k for it, that means he would list it for resale probably for 3K.
List it on ********* at no reserve and have someone bid on it if it doesn't sell for what you want. You'll end up paying a little fee, but it could sell for 3K or more. Bring it to the BBQ and I'm sure you can get more than 1K for it.
There are a lot of Colt collectors out there that will pay more than it's worth just to have it. I know that for a fact, so unless you're hurting for money..stay away from dealers.
 
#22 ·
I can see in the pictures the trigger is way too far forwards. Most likely the trigger and hammer are both damaged. About 300 dollars plus to have rebuilt. This is not uncommon and why I asked this in my first reply. The barrel may be loose because it is from another gun and was not fitted properly. What is the serial number on the barrel. It may be under the ejector housing. Does the barrel have a very small P and an equally small A ? In all honesty some red Loctite will hold the barrel tight enough to shoot. I doubt you would shoot this gun very often. His offer is a bit low. I am looking for a barrel with the P and A in the 7000 number range.
 
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