Colt SAA Refinishing - Past Practice, Blue vs. Color Case Frame ?

[rhmc24]

I have a SAA .38 Colt cal that has been beautifully (or at least expertly) refinished with the frame blue like the rest, showing no signs of use since refinish. It has the ampersand mark on the trigger guard forward left leg and the Colt circled pony logo stamped next the Colts patent dates on the left lower frame. These are said to indicate return to Colts for some kind of service. Hammer seems to have been replaced. I have Colt letter info that the .38 Colt cal is original and ship date was Feb. 1, 1892.

Other forum info I have seen, says that Colt did at some time refinish in blue instead of color case. I'm trying to track down any info that may prove or disprove that my piece was in-fact Colt refinished. Colts do not keep that kind info on record.

I am toying with the idea of having the frame color cased ($300 @ Turnbull) but would not do that with evidence the blue frame is Colts doing. Any info or comments appreciated.

[Jim Martin]

I have a SAA .38 Colt cal that has been beautifully (or at least expertly) refinished with the frame blue like the rest, showing no signs of use since refinish. It has the ampersand mark on the trigger guard forward left leg and the Colt circled pony logo stamped next the Colts patent dates on the left lower frame. These are said to indicate return to Colts for some kind of service. Hammer seems to have been replaced. I have Colt letter info that the .38 Colt cal is original and ship date was Feb. 1, 1892.

Other forum info I have seen, says that Colt did at some time refinish in blue instead of color case. I'm trying to track down any info that may prove or disprove that my piece was in-fact Colt refinished. Colts do not keep that kind info on record.

I am toying with the idea of having the frame color cased ($300 @ Turnbull) but would not do that with evidence the blue frame is Colts doing. Any info or comments appreciated.

I don't have the written info to quote from but from having been collecting colts since 1956 I do know that @ one time colt did make all blue guns but not very many,they are very rare,I would suggest that you get ahold of John Kopec,he would probably have that info.or one of his writing collaborators might be able to verify what I wrote.

[scw49]

I have a 3rd gen SAA that was shipped from the factory with an all blued finish if that helps.

[rhmc24]

This is to close the loop on this item. I since sent it to Turnbulls and had the frame case colored. Probably didn't enhance the value but didn't hurt either - and I like it better. Turnbull's case is more vivid than original Colt but it's better than just blue.

At least I can quit considering sending one of my 1870s for a $4K renovation. This for less than $300. Turnbull has been reliable and quick, sometimes expensive but with 3 other restorers was disappointed. See before and after:

[Hopalong]

Did you send them the frame alone? They quoted me $600 to re-case a single action, including disassembly/reassembly of the gun, which seemed rather ridiculous.

[smokehaus]

RHMC24, your gun looks great, there is a book by Don Henderson thats called Single Action Army Revolvers quick reference guide, it runs 15.00 bucks and worth every penny. From what I can tell from this book the first all blue SAA's came out in 1977. Also they case colored the hammers until late 1936 when they changed and started making the hammers black with polished bright sides.


BTW dont get any of that Red Okie Dirt on it and if you do the Sooner you clean it the better
Yep Im a Jayhawker LOL

[Jim Martin]

RHMC24, your gun looks great, there is a book by Don Henderson thats called Single Action Army Revolvers quick reference guide, it runs 15.00 bucks and worth every penny. From what I can tell from this book the first all blue SAA's came out in 1977. Also they case colored the hammers until late 1936 when they changed and started making the hammers black with polished bright sides.


BTW dont get any of that Red Okie Dirt on it and if you do the Sooner you clean it the better
Yep Im a Jayhawker LOL

I posted about the all blue colts elsewhere but what I was referring to was 1st gen colts,again I don't have anything to refer to but I do know that the all blue 1st gen's were very rare & long before 1977,if I can find the reference about this I'll post it.

[rhmc24]

I sent the frame with barrel to Turnbulls with all small parts removed. The breakdown is $50 to remove and reinstall barrel, Strip & Prepare frame and gate $25, Color case $150, Shipping $20, Total $245

It apparently didn't need polishing since the previous blue was expertly done. Before I sent it they said they expect to strip whatever finish is there but if polishing or other prep is required it would cost more.

[what would you say]

Thanks for that info Rhmc24. good stuff to know.

[rhmc24]

I intended to report that I gave up the thought of keeping the frame blue in the hope it might have been Colt factory work. When I talked with Colt's about the letter, I was told that they kept no records of individual pieces returned for factory work. The only return work records are for major jobs like military contract conversions, etc. So with no possibility of proof and the situation of 'might be Colt's' and for sure Turnbulls that I like, it is what it is.

Thanks everybody for responding.