Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures - The Firearms Forum

Boxster42 · 12-20-2006, 09:09 PM

Enclosed are the pictures of this pistol. that has been in my family and has been passed down from my Greatgrand father to me. The pictures that I have taken do not show what is stamped into the barrel. it is as follows:
COLTS PT. F.A. MFG Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.
I know that the grips are wood and have been painted. I am wondering what I should do. Do I leave it alone? Do I try to clean it? Please help as I am puzzled as to what my next step should be. Also is there any other items you would like to see that I have missed? Thanks in advance

Boxster42 · 12-20-2006, 09:16 PM

More pictures

southernshooter · 12-20-2006, 09:36 PM

Check the auction site and try to find the actual grips for that gun rather than trying to refinish.
And if all else fails then refinish them
Some one else might be able to give you a price for it

Xracer · 12-21-2006, 08:14 AM

OK.....first let's establish what you've got. I see no evidence of military markings, so what you've got is an Intermediate Black Powder SAA (ser. no. range 22,000-130,000), manufactured in 1880, with matching numbers and unaltered (I don't consider the painted handles as an alteration).

Current Blue Book value is around $3,000.

I wouldn't touch a thing. Newer grips would decrease the originality and value of the gun, and even if you could find a pair of original 1st Generation grips, they probably wouldn't fit as well as the one's you've got.....and wouldn't increase the value any.

Don't worry about the paint on the grips.....it appears to be about as old as the gun, and is now part of the "patina".

Don't try to clean it, or mess with it. Just wipe it down with a very light coat of oil and put it away for your children and grandchildren....it's a part of your family's history!

Boxster42 · 12-21-2006, 09:17 AM

Thank you for the information gentlemen. I do have another question for you, Would you reccomend I contact Colt for an Archive letter to perhaps get the history of where the weapon was purchased/shipped to begin with or does this sort of thing not matter.

johnston3407 · 12-21-2006, 05:04 PM

I have no other input, other than to say you have a beautiful piece of "AMERICANNA", take good care of it.

berto64 · 12-21-2006, 11:58 PM

The letter won't hurt.

Xracer · 12-22-2006, 07:59 AM

By all means, get a Colt Historical Letter. It's only $100 ( http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/2005%20...ICE%20LIST.pdf ) , adds to the value of your gun, and is something you can pass on to your children and grandchildren along with Great Grandpa's gun.

Boxster42 · 12-22-2006, 10:05 AM

Thanks again Gentlemen for your wealth of knowledge and quick replys. From my household to yours, I wish you all a Very happy holiday season.

Xracer · 12-23-2006, 08:00 AM

You're most welcome.....and Happy Holidays to you.

Please give Holiday Greetings to your Boxter from my "Dudley DoRight".....'72 Mk.III Mini-Cooper "S".

clt8276 · 12-29-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernshooter

Check the auction site and try to find the actual grips for that gun rather than trying to refinish.
And if all else fails then refinish them
Some one else might be able to give you a price for it

IF YOU OUTLAW GUNS ONLY OUTLAWS WILL HAVE GUNS
I DON'T CALL IT OVERKILL I CALL IT BEING PREPARED
ONE MAN CAN CHANGE THE WORLD WITH ENOUGH AMMO AND IF I MAY ADD A VERY BIG GUN 308 OR BETTER

stash247 · 12-30-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xracer

You're most welcome.....and Happy Holidays to you.

Please give Holiday Greetings to your Boxter from my "Dudley DoRight".....'72 Mk.III Mini-Cooper "S".

Xracer, you never cease to amaze me!
A '72 Austin Mini Cooper S!!! 1275 cc's of thoroughbred Midget!
The Detonics 'Combat Master' of the Auto industry, when 'Huge' was cool!
Please keep 'Dudley' warm and dry; he was only 30 years, too soon!
Happy Holidays, Terry

12-20-2006, 09:09 PM	#1
Boxster42 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9	Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures Enclosed are the pictures of this pistol. that has been in my family and has been passed down from my Greatgrand father to me. The pictures that I have taken do not show what is stamped into the barrel. it is as follows: COLTS PT. F.A. MFG Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. I know that the grips are wood and have been painted. I am wondering what I should do. Do I leave it alone? Do I try to clean it? Please help as I am puzzled as to what my next step should be. Also is there any other items you would like to see that I have missed? Thanks in advance Attached Images -->

12-20-2006, 09:16 PM	#2
Boxster42 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures More pictures Attached Images

12-20-2006, 09:36 PM	#3
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures Check the auction site and try to find the actual grips for that gun rather than trying to refinish. And if all else fails then refinish them Some one else might be able to give you a price for it __________________ Only you can see this

12-21-2006, 08:14 AM	#4
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures OK.....first let's establish what you've got. I see no evidence of military markings, so what you've got is an Intermediate Black Powder SAA (ser. no. range 22,000-130,000), manufactured in 1880, with matching numbers and unaltered (I don't consider the painted handles as an alteration). Current Blue Book value is around $3,000. I wouldn't touch a thing. Newer grips would decrease the originality and value of the gun, and even if you could find a pair of original 1st Generation grips, they probably wouldn't fit as well as the one's you've got.....and wouldn't increase the value any. Don't worry about the paint on the grips.....it appears to be about as old as the gun, and is now part of the "patina". Don't try to clean it, or mess with it. Just wipe it down with a very light coat of oil and put it away for your children and grandchildren....it's a part of your family's history!

12-21-2006, 09:17 AM	#5
Boxster42 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures Thank you for the information gentlemen. I do have another question for you, Would you reccomend I contact Colt for an Archive letter to perhaps get the history of where the weapon was purchased/shipped to begin with or does this sort of thing not matter.

12-21-2006, 05:04 PM	#6
johnston3407 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Coast of Mississippi Posts: 592	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures I have no other input, other than to say you have a beautiful piece of "AMERICANNA", take good care of it.

12-21-2006, 11:58 PM	#7
berto64 VMBB Admin Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Owyhee County, Idaho Contributor Posts: 7,385	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures The letter won't hurt. __________________ Be who you are & say what you will, Those that matter won't mind and those that mind don't matter. I'm a bitter clinger, One Nation Under God.

12-22-2006, 07:59 AM	#8
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures By all means, get a Colt Historical Letter. It's only $100 ( http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/2005%20...ICE%20LIST.pdf ) , adds to the value of your gun, and is something you can pass on to your children and grandchildren along with Great Grandpa's gun.

12-22-2006, 10:05 AM	#9
Boxster42 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures Thanks again Gentlemen for your wealth of knowledge and quick replys. From my household to yours, I wish you all a Very happy holiday season.

12-23-2006, 08:00 AM	#10
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Colt 45 serial # 53872 w/pictures You're most welcome.....and Happy Holidays to you. Please give Holiday Greetings to your Boxter from my "Dudley DoRight".....'72 Mk.III Mini-Cooper "S".