Colt SAA Gen 1 - The Firearms Forum

SiGfever · 10-16-2009, 09:05 PM

Hello,
I have a Gen 1 Colt SAA (.45 LC) in the original cardboard box that my father was given by his dad when he was sixteen (approx 1934). Serial number = 355xxx. I was wondering how to contact Colt to find out the value and history of this fine pistol. Here is a pic.

muddober · 10-16-2009, 10:28 PM

SiGfever, welcome aboard and what a nice gun that you have brought with you. I am not a died in wool Colt guy, meaning I don't know anything about obtaining Colt records but I have bought and sold a few in my day and I would guess your gun is worth in the 5 to 7 thousand dollar range. There are far more knowledgeable guys here than me and this gun will drag them out I am sure.

Ron

Danny · 10-16-2009, 10:32 PM

Hello,
If you could post the sn# there are guys here that can tell you when it was made & how much in the thousands the value is. Also give the cal of the weapon.
Kind Regards
Danny

Zane71464 · 10-16-2009, 11:19 PM

Welcome SiGfever, I'm no colt expert by any means but here is a tid-bit that might get you pointed in the right direction. As already posted, if you put the serial number up, I'm sure there will be a few in here that can steer you in the right direction. COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. : SAA - 1st Generation Civilan/Commercial (Mfg. 1873-1940)

Zane71464 · 10-16-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zane71464

Welcome SiGfever, I'm no colt expert by any means but here is a tid-bit that might get you pointed in the right direction. As already posted, if you put the serial number up, I'm sure there will be a few in here that can steer you in the right direction. COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. : SAA - 1st Generation Civilan/Commercial (Mfg. 1873-1940)

Here is something found in the book...but not knowing Cal or serial#...its a shot in the somewhat the right direction.
And I think Ron hit it pretty close on value;
1st generation single action in excellent condition has gone from $250 in 1960 to approximately $8,000 ...but not knowing much info/serial# and cal is a guess. I'm sure one of the colt guys will jump in on this soon. Thats a very fine gun you have there.

Twaits · 10-17-2009, 09:15 AM

PLEASE join: www.coltforum.com and post this amazing gun.

The guys over there will DROOL over this gun. Also, all of the best online Colt experts are over there and will give you really excellent information.

Stunning SAA. Congratulations.

-Erik

Alpo · 10-17-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

Hello,
If you could post the sn# there are guys here that can tell you when it was made & how much in the thousands the value is. Also give the cal of the weapon.
Kind Regards
Danny

Barrel appears to say Colt Single Action Army 45.

SiGfever · 10-17-2009, 11:57 AM

Sorry for the lack of information posted. It is in .45 LC and the serial number is 355xxx.

The deterioration of the box was my fault as a kid, my dad kept all his firearms in like new condition.

Zane71464 · 10-17-2009, 12:59 PM

SiGfever, I have a bunch of books here and one is on Colts. And the books I have was dug out of an old garage from a family friend and all the books haven't yet been gone tru. What I do have on the Colt that is appears to be yours I'm still thumbing tru. Alot of the books I have have been totally abused and mice also have taken their toll on them as well. I'm no expert on Colts by any means but trying to get some info off the pages and get them on here.
What I do have thus far on the Colt SAA .45LC is;
SINGLE ACTION ARMY (SAA) - STANDARD MFG. Add to Collection
- over 30 cals., six shot single action revolver, three standard barrel lengths. The 4 ¾ in. barrel had a two line address, while the 5 ½ in. and 7 ½ in. had a one line address. Blue with color casehardened frame or full nickel finish were both available. Of the many (36) calibers offered, .45 Colt was by far the most popular, accounting for 42% of total production, followed by .44/.40 (18%), .38-40 (11%), .32-20 (8%) and .41 (4.5%). One piece, varnished walnut grips were standard for the first ten years, then gradually replaced with two piece hard rubber. When grips are "not listed" on Colt historical letters, you should assume that they were the standard for their time period, either wood or rubber; not the pearl or ivory that someone added at a later date.
And I'm still digging tru whats left of the book and whatever & whenever I find more I'll post it.

SiGfever · 10-17-2009, 04:04 PM

Thanks to all for the nice comments and for your research.

Danny · 10-17-2009, 04:50 PM

Sorry about not seeing the cal. Pretty soon I will need a brail keyboard. By the way that was my great uncles pistol. It was taken by Rowdy Yatts when he got druck on the trail & taken while Unc was sleeping, LOL. That is the best Colt SA from that era I have ever seen. I love Colts almost as well as Lugers. However I collect 1911's, a 1913 being my baby. Congrats on such a fine firearm.
Danny

SiGfever · 10-17-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

Sorry about not seeing the cal. Pretty soon I will need a brail keyboard. By the way that was my great uncles pistol. It was taken by Rowdy Yatts when he got druck on the trail & taken while Unc was sleeping, LOL. That is the best Colt SA from that era I have ever seen. I love Colts almost as well as Lugers. However I collect 1911's, a 1913 being my baby. Congrats on such a fine firearm.
Danny

When my father came back from WWII he took apart three firearms and coated them in grease and wrapped them in wax paper. He then put them in a trunk until 1969 when I went to his family home in upstate NY and retrieved them. One was a P08 (1937 S/42), one was a P38, the the other was a 7.65 cal Menz auto.

The P38 and holster were stolen but I still have the Luger and Menz. I also have the holsters, they are in fantastic condition. I need to take some better pictures of them but here is one of the holsters..

Terry_P · 10-17-2009, 05:51 PM

Production date of 1934.

http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

I have no expertize on value other than say that is a fine looking revolver.

woolleyworm · 10-17-2009, 10:03 PM

Welcome to TFF and a fine SAA you have there. Great to see another SIG enthusiast onboard !!

muddober · 10-17-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

Sorry about not seeing the cal. Pretty soon I will need a brail keyboard. By the way that was my great uncles pistol. It was taken by Rowdy Yatts when he got druck on the trail & taken while Unc was sleeping, LOL. That is the best Colt SA from that era I have ever seen. I love Colts almost as well as Lugers. However I collect 1911's, a 1913 being my baby. Congrats on such a fine firearm.
Danny

Danny, you can cancel your order for the brail keyboard, the caliber was not there when you first posted, SiGfever edited it in later.

Ron

10-16-2009, 09:05 PM	#1
SiGfever Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	Colt SAA Gen 1 Hello, I have a Gen 1 Colt SAA (.45 LC) in the original cardboard box that my father was given by his dad when he was sixteen (approx 1934). Serial number = 355xxx. I was wondering how to contact Colt to find out the value and history of this fine pistol. Here is a pic. --> Last edited by SiGfever; 10-17-2009 at 04:39 PM..

10-16-2009, 10:28 PM	#2
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 SiGfever, welcome aboard and what a nice gun that you have brought with you. I am not a died in wool Colt guy, meaning I don't know anything about obtaining Colt records but I have bought and sold a few in my day and I would guess your gun is worth in the 5 to 7 thousand dollar range. There are far more knowledgeable guys here than me and this gun will drag them out I am sure. Ron Last edited by muddober; 10-16-2009 at 10:31 PM..

10-16-2009, 10:32 PM	#3
Danny Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Va Contributor Posts: 594	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 Hello, If you could post the sn# there are guys here that can tell you when it was made & how much in the thousands the value is. Also give the cal of the weapon. Kind Regards Danny __________________ THE GUN HAS PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN HISTORY. AN INVENTION WHICH HAS BEEN PRAISED & DENOUNCED...SERVED HERO & VILLAIN ALIKE...AND CARRIES WITH IT MORAL RESPONSIBILITY...TO UNDERSTAND THE GUN IS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HISTORY.

10-16-2009, 11:19 PM	#4
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,358	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 Welcome SiGfever, I'm no colt expert by any means but here is a tid-bit that might get you pointed in the right direction. As already posted, if you put the serial number up, I'm sure there will be a few in here that can steer you in the right direction. COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. : SAA - 1st Generation Civilan/Commercial (Mfg. 1873-1940)

10-17-2009, 09:15 AM	#6
Twaits V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Windham Posts: 71	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 PLEASE join: www.coltforum.com and post this amazing gun. The guys over there will DROOL over this gun. Also, all of the best online Colt experts are over there and will give you really excellent information. Stunning SAA. Congratulations. -Erik

10-17-2009, 11:57 AM	#8
SiGfever Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 Sorry for the lack of information posted. It is in .45 LC and the serial number is 355xxx. The deterioration of the box was my fault as a kid, my dad kept all his firearms in like new condition.

10-17-2009, 12:59 PM	#9
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,358	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 SiGfever, I have a bunch of books here and one is on Colts. And the books I have was dug out of an old garage from a family friend and all the books haven't yet been gone tru. What I do have on the Colt that is appears to be yours I'm still thumbing tru. Alot of the books I have have been totally abused and mice also have taken their toll on them as well. I'm no expert on Colts by any means but trying to get some info off the pages and get them on here. What I do have thus far on the Colt SAA .45LC is; SINGLE ACTION ARMY (SAA) - STANDARD MFG. Add to Collection - over 30 cals., six shot single action revolver, three standard barrel lengths. The 4 ¾ in. barrel had a two line address, while the 5 ½ in. and 7 ½ in. had a one line address. Blue with color casehardened frame or full nickel finish were both available. Of the many (36) calibers offered, .45 Colt was by far the most popular, accounting for 42% of total production, followed by .44/.40 (18%), .38-40 (11%), .32-20 (8%) and .41 (4.5%). One piece, varnished walnut grips were standard for the first ten years, then gradually replaced with two piece hard rubber. When grips are "not listed" on Colt historical letters, you should assume that they were the standard for their time period, either wood or rubber; not the pearl or ivory that someone added at a later date. And I'm still digging tru whats left of the book and whatever & whenever I find more I'll post it.

10-17-2009, 04:04 PM	#10
SiGfever Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 Thanks to all for the nice comments and for your research.

10-17-2009, 04:50 PM	#11
Danny Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Va Contributor Posts: 594	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 Sorry about not seeing the cal. Pretty soon I will need a brail keyboard. By the way that was my great uncles pistol. It was taken by Rowdy Yatts when he got druck on the trail & taken while Unc was sleeping, LOL. That is the best Colt SA from that era I have ever seen. I love Colts almost as well as Lugers. However I collect 1911's, a 1913 being my baby. Congrats on such a fine firearm. Danny __________________ THE GUN HAS PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN HISTORY. AN INVENTION WHICH HAS BEEN PRAISED & DENOUNCED...SERVED HERO & VILLAIN ALIKE...AND CARRIES WITH IT MORAL RESPONSIBILITY...TO UNDERSTAND THE GUN IS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HISTORY.

10-17-2009, 05:51 PM	#13
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 Production date of 1934. http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html I have no expertize on value other than say that is a fine looking revolver. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

10-17-2009, 10:03 PM	#14
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Colt SAA Gen 1 Welcome to TFF and a fine SAA you have there. Great to see another SIG enthusiast onboard !! __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .