Colt 45

[Chadk]

My family has an old Colt 45 that has been passed down a few generations. I wish I had gotten some better pictures of it. The gun was obviously an every day user and includes a couple of notches on the grips.

All I have to go on to try and estimate a value is that it says Patent Sep 19th 1871, and I think I can read the serial number to be 266229

[jack404]

look like this ??



if so

You have a First Generation Colt Single Action Army (SAA) manufactured in 1905

1905 SINGLE ACTION ARMY & BISLEY REVOLVER


http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServ...berLookup.aspx

[Chadk]

should have remembered. Yes, It is a Bisley. It does say this on the barell. I'm not sure it's that long. Maybe a tat shorter. Hard to tell. It has the plastic colt trips, and seems much darker in color.

[jack404]

Single Action ..45 colt caliber centerfire. 6 shots. 4 3/4 inch round barrel. Barrel address "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./over/ HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." Also marked "(BISLEY MODEL)" and ".45 colt ." on left side of barrel. Fluted cylinder. Frame marked "PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871 / JULY 2. 72. JAN 19.75" and a "Rampant Horse on a Circle" Blue or nickel plated.

Bisleys were serial numbered in the range of 156300–331916, in the same sequence as the Single Action Army. ( and why i posted the army .. )

All Bisleys after No. 161,376 had "BISLEY MODEL" with the caliber stamped on the left side of the barrel, which is rare for older Colt revolvers.[11] The most common calibers were .32-20, .38-40, .45 Colt, .44-40, .41 Colt, and the British calibers .450 Eley and .455 Eley.[11] A total number of 44,350 were manufactured. The production of the Bisley was terminated in 1912, but the serial No. 331916 was shipped after the First World War.[11] Most Bisley Standard Model Revolvers which were shipped to a United States address were not used for target shooting but for self-defense because the grip and hammer were ideal for fast shooting.[4][11]


as a personal note

the few i've seen here a couple of the .45 where Oz versions of bubba'ed up from a smaller caliber ..

and both had the original cal. scrubbed off the barrel

[Chadk]

yes, sir. I believe that would be it.

[jack404]

if its as nice as the one in the pic it may be 4 figures on a good day ( one pictured bore is only 20% , it was 1100 , from the colt page )

[Chadk]

It's probably not as nice as the one in the picture because as i mentioned this was a daily user. there are clear wear signes on the barrel from regular holstering. There is a crack in one of the grips and the "notches" as i mentioned. It's not a gun we'd ever sell as this was an ancestors gun, but i was just curious what it would be worth. It is still very much capable of firing although i refused the offer.
The cylinder is still a good snug fit and very little play whatsoever

[jack404]

$500 up as a guess then

even a "parts gun" of theses brings $400

that i know i was looking for one recently to get a new/good used frame for a gent here but one of the members found one for me

[Chadk]

thanks very much for your input!