More........

 

More.......

 

Well, it is certainly worth the $2200 you paid.

 

That was a good price for the gun. I would have shelled out $2200 for it!

 

Do you think I should letter it? Do the stampings look correct?

 

Looks good to me, I'm no expert, but I have owned about 8 US marked SAA's and the US on yours looks textbook correct to me. It hasn't had the softest of lives but wear appears pretty consistent overall.

 

The only letter you need to get is one from Kopec. The Colt Archive letters are of little value.

 

OK. I figured the Colt letter would confirm US shipment or confirm that it was reworked later. I know so little about these. I wasn't even sure if the US stamp was original or added but it looked right to me.

 

Well another great find....very well done...God Bless,John

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I've owned a few U.S. models and own Kopec's book so that means exactly zero on a scale of 1-10 on my knowledge of Artillery models. But like others have said, would of paid $2,200 and not backed up for that gun.
Congrats

 

A factory letter is important. It gives factual information from the manufacturer, anything else is only an opinion. From the pictures the gun looks good, I would much rather have it than any restoration. It looks like an authentic historical artifact.

 

If one gets an examination and letter from Kopec, of what value is a Colt Archive letter? My opinion is 'very little.'

 

thanks all! Knowing only what we know now, whats it worth ? I did manage to get the grips to fit better. Someone had glued a shim where the backstrap meets the grip. I took about half of it out and added that much to front of the grips to split the difference and it looks better now.

 

I think you did great.

 

Looks even better...you have a great eye for finding these...

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I think it is a score! Great work!

 

Kopeck recommends an archive letter before shipping to him for elauation. That’s according to his website.

 

With the archive letter at least you can rest assured that it was in fact shipped to the United States arsenal. Not all went to Springfield but some went to Rock Island and some to Benica. That's right out of John's book.

 

US on frame looks good to me. Patent dates don't have same characteristics as gun 50 numbers away. Just FYI, not a conclusion. Frame has no H.N. above serial, should in this range. Barrel is RAC with two proof Ps. Any partial serial on barrel? Any initials on cylinder? BS serial and K look good.
At 2200.00 I think you didn't get hurt at all.

 

I think $2200 for this was a realistic price to pay, as you could easily get out of it what you have into it, and possibly a bit more. I think the biggest problem is that the H.N. is missing on the frame, as Rick pointed out. You could, if you want to know more, send this one to John Kopec, as others suggested. It will tell you a lot about what is wrong with this gun, and will be a learning experience for you. However, it will not add much value to the firearm, and could actually be slightly detrimental. You might learn a lot just by purchasing a copy of Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers: A Continuing Study and A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver. Both are authored by John, along with Fenn on the first book, and Graham & Moore on the second one. Purchasing both these will be cheaper than sending this revolver to John for his evaluation.

I think most of the problems have been pointed out by forum members or you already recognize. Yes, definitely was reblued at some point, especially the barrel shows evidence of this. Also, at least one screw (on butt, through backstrap) is a replacement. Also, the grips are either replacement grips or have been heavily sanded. Putting it all together--that is, the conclusions of myself and other forum members, you have in front of you most of the problems John will identify and our input was free. Of course, it really doesn't mean anything, unless detailed by John, but such information from John is unlikely to increase the value of this one by the cost of John's services plus shipping both ways.

 

Frame in the range of the civilian - US guns, so no HN would be stamped above the serial number. Se Kopec.
I would have pulled the trigger on it at a show

 

I'm not convinced the trigger guard number begins with a 3. Looking at it closely, it might actually be an 8. Doesn't matter, it's still a very early number. Personally, I think it's an awesome pistol at a great price.

 

Buck, It could very well be an 8. In fact, I think you are right.

 

I just took a perusal through Kopec's site. Looks great, and I think it would be awesome to know all the intricate details of a piece like that. That being said, ~$450 is a healthy sum. Are you going to do it?

 

There's another option - I have all the Springfield research data, same as Kopec, and all his books. Let me run down the numbers and we'll see what we will see...for a small seeeeee

JJP

 

I have the same data, let me check the numbers out and we'll see what we will see.......for a small eeeeeee

JP

 

hearsedriver,
I see you have figured out how to invest your $6,000, buying two or three Colt Artillery's, and I cant think of a better way.

 

At the price hearsedriver paid for this one, it would have been tempting. But, I'd rather have one really good Artillery Model, rather than two or three lesser quality ones. If I were hearsedriver, I would try and consider this one purchased outside the $6,000 allotted for something really good...and spend the $6,000 on something really good. That happens to me all the time. For example, in my (continued) quest for a Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum, in original box, I sometimes come across a decent Triple Lock or Colt SAA revolver. If the price is right on the latter, it does not deter me from never purchasing the Registered Magnum. This is a good example, as the Registered Magnum will likely be more than $6,000. The Triple Lock or Colt SAA in this example will be less. Having said that, the last Colt SAA revolver I purchased was a Cavalry Model and considerably more than $6,000. Just an example, and an idea for hearsedriver.

 

Colt Artillery Model with Gold Seal letter

Although an Artillery Model revolver such as this one will cost more than $6,000 these days, this is what I might be inclined to invest in. I sent it in to John for evaluation and, obviously, was pleased with the results.

 

Although an Artillery Model revolver such as this one will cost more than $6,000 these days, this is what I might be inclined to invest in. I sent it in to John for evaluation and, obviously, was pleased with the results.

A gun that gorgeous and valuable deserves a Kopec letter. Mine..not so much.

 

Congrats on a great find. I have been trying to find a real US marked gun myself. I haven't found any in that price range that were real. This forum has saved me a lot of money as I almost bought an expensive fake or at least 'juiced up" one. Thanks for sharing.

 

You will have no trouble getting at least your money back if you sell it. So, you get to own, study, and enjoy it, and get all of your money back if you get bored with it and decide to sell it. Not many hobbies allow that.