Blued Colt SAA with nickel cylinder?????????

[DuWhat]

Yesterday I recieved in trade a Colt SAA #SA614XX in .44 special. Like new and it a tattered wood grain box and maybe not the correct box. Has a 5 1/2 inch barrel which I understand is not to common. Also has a nickel cylinder. Now SAA's are not my area of collecting so I have a few questions. Is this a special order item or is it normal? Also could it just be a SAA that some one put a nickel cylinder in? I thought I heard one time that there was a run of these SAA's made and were considered somewhat collectible? The writing on the top of the barrel is smaller than normal. Any guess as to value as I will probably sell as just don't want to start another caliber. Thanks for any help and on to the pictures....



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[UtopiaTexasColt45]

I cannot answer your question as to whether this Colt was from the factory that way but as a history buff know that many folks at periods of time in the USA, especially those on farms, had a hard time making ends meet so when something needed repair you used whatever was available no matter what it may have looked like. I've rebuilt 6 Ford Model T's over the years and most have repair parts that were from many different years. It is one of the huge advantages of mass production and similiar parts through out the production period.

[Colt75]

Yes, Colt made this variation -- about 484 of them according to Wilkerson. These seem to bring a little less than standard finish SAAs.

[Wyatt Burp]

Yes, Colt made this variation -- about 484 of them according to Wilkerson. These seem to bring a little less than standard finish SAAs.

True. There's only 484 of these in the entire universe and I paid $900 for mine. I actually wanted one of these since 1983 when i saw them advertised. They were blued .44 Specials with this one barrel length using up left over nickel cylinders (Colt was supposedly ending production then). Is there a matching serial number on your cylinder? I think they don't all have that. Mine does which I think is important. These guns haven't caught on in spite of low production.

[DuWhat]

Yes it does have the serial number on the face of the cylinder. Also corrected # should be SA614xx

[dandak]

Never knew they made these. I think they look sharp!!! If you paid 900 I'll let ya make a few bucks on me...how does 925 sound!!

[DuWhat]

I have a bit more than $900 in it. Will likely be in the "For Sale' section in a few days.

[what would you say]

I have a bit more than $900 in it. Will likely be in the "For Sale' section in a few days.

Now that we know only 484 were made and its all factory made and farm fresh, its a limited number and not a commemorative.. I'd say come get your rare production Colt for sale

[Wyatt Burp]

Now that we know only 484 were made and its all factory made and farm fresh, its a limited number and not a commemorative.. I'd say come get your rare production Colt for sale

You would they would bring a premium...eventually. I think two things are going on with these. People sometimes assume they just are Colts with wrong cylinders, and others think the combination is just so distracting and ugly scarcity be damned. But what do you think a similar percentage of original Colt 1st Model Dragoons with nickel cylinders would be worth today to a collector. if they existed?

[Shack]

Given all this, I'd get a letter before offering it documenting that it's a factory issue.

They didn't make nickel with blue cylinders too did they??

That actually wouldn't look bad if you put fire blue screws on them.