[elliotf]

I recently picked up this SAA for the purpose of using it. I like .38 special as ammo is resonable. I purchased this gun for less then the price of a 3rd Gen shooter. What I am finding is someone really put together a beautiful purpose built 1st gen with a great finish. I would like to know about all the parts used in this purpose built SAA and have a few questions on some markings.

The left grip strap has "634 R" and a "Q" on it (pictures of everything below) any ideas on what it means?

The cylinder is marked "J F Q" on the front any ideas on this?

Can you tell from the barrel top markings what Gen. it is?

I believe from another thread the stocks are Colt, can you tell from the picture of the backs also?

Any Idea on who did the refinishing?

All in all it is a beautiful SAA even though it is re-barreled and refinished. TIA

 

[elliotf]

More pictures:

 

[elliotf]

Sorry, more pictures:

 

[chaosrob]

That sir is a beautiful revolver. I would be very proud, as I am sure you are, to own that. May you serve each other well.

 

[Old-Colts]

I certainly don’t believe that the current refinish/restoration was performed by Colt, but the “634 R” looks very much like a “Rework Number” that Colt applied when they performed rework in the prewar era. Perhaps this Colt went back to Colt many years ago for rework.

The current refinish/restoration was aggressive enough to remove the Verified Proof stamp from the left front trigger guard bow, but the serial numbers look fairly crisp; perhaps they’ve been re-stamped.

The hammer has been replaced also; a single action in this serial number range would have the bordered knurling without the slash.

A pretty nice "purpose built" Colt!

 

[coltsixguns]

It may be a re-refinish. The numbers on it certainly make you think the factory did it one time....probably just not the "last" time.

 

[elliotf]

Thanks for the input so far. Yes it is refinished and re-barreled, The trigger was also replaced with a wide target trigger.

What else?

 

[Monsai52]

The current refinish/restoration was aggressive enough to remove the Verified Proof stamp from the left front trigger guard bow, but the serial numbers look fairly crisp; perhaps they’ve been re-stamped.

Had Colt started using the VP stamp in 1907?

Best regards,

 

[elliotf]

Had Colt started using the VP stamp in 1907?

Best regards,

Yes, here is a picture of my purpose built 1906 in .38 special

 

[Wyatt Burp]

That's one fine sixgun. I find it unusual that it has the beveled flutes on the cylinder. Usually a common older Colt with a 50's or so barrel also has a cylinder contemporary to the barrel. Not here and makes it look very classy. Great grips, too.

 

[Old-Colts]

Had Colt started using the VP stamp in 1907?

Best regards,

According to "A Study" and based on my survey/database for tracking when Colt started stamping the left front trigger guard bow of Single Actions with the Verified Proof stamp, Colt started this in 1905 somewhere between serial number 268097 and 269688; that's as close as I can get it right now.

 

[Hopalong]

Elliot, When you asked me if I wanted the 1907, why did I say "No"???????? Congratulations on a beautiful six gun!!!!!

 

[Hopalong]

I certainly don’t believe that the current refinish/restoration was performed by Colt, but the “634 R” looks very much like a “Rework Number” that Colt applied when they performed rework in the prewar era. Perhaps this Colt went back to Colt many years ago for rework.The current refinish/restoration was aggressive enough to remove the Verified Proof stamp from the left front trigger guard bow, but the serial numbers look fairly crisp; perhaps they’ve been re-stamped.The hammer has been replaced also; a single action in this serial number range would have the bordered knurling without the slash.A pretty nice "purpose built" Colt!

The 634 may be a date code, such as June 1934.

 

[elliotf]

The 634 may be a date code, such as June 1934.

Thank you Hopalong, I just checked with our friends at the Colt custom shop, and they only have computer records back to 1997. They do believe that is was sent to Turnbull for refinish. For anyone that keeps track of this stuff, please mark down that the "Q" on the grip frame is most likely a polishers stamp. "We have some of our polishers that stamp around there to mark the guns they polish"

 

[rhmc24]

Here's another 'purpose built' SAA, first as I received it. It has US marked frame, new condition (then 1950s) Colt barrel, cyl & innards. The silvery looking places are the remains of aluminum 'metalizing' ( gas-weld process) popular back in the day easily scraped off. Someone's conversion of a real 'artillery' into a shooter, 3 -4 digit grip frames.




Here is my 'rework', grips I made, gave it a kind of 'oldie' finish.

 

[Hopalong]

Thank you Hopalong, I just checked with our friends at the Colt custom shop, and they only have computer records back to 1997. They do believe that is was sent to Turnbull for refinish. For anyone that keeps track of this stuff, please mark down that the "Q" on the grip frame is most likely a polishers stamp. "We have some of our polishers that stamp around there to mark the guns they polish"

Elliot, The case color looks like it may have been done by Classic Guns L.T.D. Tim

 

[Dan338]

I like the grips