[johnh]

I thought nice colts were too expensive and the market for new buyers was drying up 20 years ago.....goes to show what I "know"... I doubt if these guys buying these high priced guns are new buyers, from what I see at auctions and gun shows. Guys like me who grew up with Wayne, Autry, and Rogers are < or > 70 years, and have money to spend and a lifetime of interest in these guns. When we stop buying I do not believe the next generation raised on Stallone and Schwarzenegger will be spending this kind of money on old west guns. With a few exceptions, their interest is in more modern weapons. At least that is what all the younger shooters I know express to me. Time will tell, but I speak with a lot of younger shooters, and they are not going to be spending their wealth on obsolete firearms. They were raised looking to the future, not reminiscing in the past.

 

[MGJ]

I am no expert on SAA"s but that seems excessive. High condition boxed examples can bring 10k or more all day long. SAA's are solid collectible pieces in the market and they have been very stable. With regards to auctions there the best barometer for gauging markets if there isn't blatant fraud. Can't blame sellers if they get big money for items that are legit as that would tell you the market for the said item. Ive overpaid a ton on auctions but I have also underpaid a ton for many items so it cuts both ways. I understand it's not everybody's cup of tea though

 

[Monsai52]

I thought nice colts were too expensive and the market for new buyers was drying up 20 years ago.....goes to show what I "know"... I doubt if these guys buying these high priced guns are new buyers, from what I see at auctions and gun shows. Guys like me who grew up with Wayne, Autry, and Rogers are < or > 70 years, and have money to spend and a lifetime of interest in these guns. When we stop buying I do not believe the next generation raised on Stallone and Schwarzenegger will be spending this kind of money on old west guns. With a few exceptions, their interest is in more modern weapons. At least that is what all the younger shooters I know express to me. Time will tell, but I speak with a lot of younger shooters, and they are not going to be spending their wealth on obsolete firearms. They were raised looking to the future, not reminiscing in the past.

It might also be something of a "last gasp" of some of the older collectors, thinking along the lines of ... "I want it, the clock is ticking down, and If I don't get it now, I might never have the opportunity again to find something in this condition."

Best regards,

 

[SMLE1907]

I've collected guns of several types over the past sixty years. Only had a few "high condition" ones though. Love Colt's,but only have one prewar in high condition and that's an Army Special. All of my other prewar ones show honest use and no abuse,.........well not much anyway. My early 1956 production 2nd. generation shows honest use too, and no abuse. Even though, with the exception of the Army Special, all of my Colt's are either Cop Guns, or just other common models in good condition. None of these guns were inexpensive, and I haven't seen any price reductions in these average condition Colt's here in southeastern PA, or northern Delaware either. I wish the market would decrease a bit so I wouldn't have to pay what I consider too much money for these less than pristine examples.

Even if I had the money I don't think a NIB Colt would tempt me. Just too old to suffer glorified paper weights sitting around in boxes waiting for,................waiting around for what, the next collector who needs one more for his safe? No. Shoot, handle, touch history, pretty much satisfies me. These are Colt's after all, and it was their use that made them famous, and their fame made them collectible. Use and fame creates scratches and wear.

 

[oakridge]

I've been waiting for about 20 years for a friend to open his safe. But, seeing these prices, I'm not sure I want him to. He has about 25 first-generation SAAs, and I would have to buy them all. OUCH! He doesn't do the internet, but he has a "Blue Book". I don't know which would be worse for me.

 

[mrcvs]

I've been waiting for about 20 years for a friend to open his safe. But, seeing these prices, I'm not sure I want him to. He has about 25 first-generation SAAs, and I would have to buy them all. OUCH! He doesn't do the internet, but he has a "Blue Book". I don't know which would be worse for me.

The "Blue Book" is completely unrealistic when it comes to Colt SAA values. It does an incredible disservice to the Colt SAA collector and enthusiast! Of course, the "Blue Book" is compiled using information provided by "experts" in certain fields as no one individual can be that well versed in all firearms out there. I apologize if I am stepping on anyone's toes, especially if the person responsible for editing the SAA section of this book is a member of this forum, but I heard somewhere, but don't recall exactly where, that the editor of that section is a high end dealer, so he already might sell at the high end of retail. Additionally, prices are somewhat inflated to account for "inflation", real or perceived. I will say that my opinion of the matter is "the fox is in the henhouse!"

Does anyone know who generally edits this section annually?

Obviously, as you can see, the inflated prices are a sore point for me, and I am being "polite" by being apologetic. On the other hand, aren't apologies warranted for valuing Colt SAA first generation SAA revolvers at stratospheric levels because these values are generated only with the profit motives of the editor in mind?

To me, values presented "should be" a realistic estimation of retail value, and one can subtract accordingly when purchasing a revolver with resale purposes in mind.

If anyone out there honestly believes the "Blue Book" values are real and true, please contact me by PM as I have a small collection of Colt SAA's you might be interested in.

 

[MGJ]

To me any "" Blue Book" is just a guidance when it comes to pricing. I use them more for reference or information points and how and when to add or decrease value on a given gun. There pricing can be dead on or way off. Checking as many auction sites as possible is the best barometer in my opinion and tracking as necessary

 

[skywalker]

Johnh, I've been thinking about your comment about looking to the future, not back. My father, a WWII vet, born in Brooklyn, loved John Wayne and the old West. But as much as this is true, he and his generation were the ones who created the modern world, too. Buck Rodgers, Dick Tracy, Walt Disney's Future World, were all forward looking.

Maybe each generation is the same. We long for what was, the "good old days", but embrace the modern world. What 50 something doesn't smile when thinking about Rockem Sockem Robots, as they search eBay on their iPad?

I'm hoping the bottom doesn't fall out on SAA over time. But the economy is different now. Maybe I thin out the collection a little, like diversifying your stock portfolio.

 

[mrcvs]

To me any "" Blue Book" is just a guidance when it comes to pricing. I use them more for reference or information points and how and when to add or decrease value on a given gun. There pricing can be dead on or way off. Checking as many auction sites as possible is the best barometer in my opinion and tracking as necessary

Agreed, it is a "guide", and I use it as such. But, how would you like to be starting out, maybe not that knowledgeable yet, and you are offered a Colt SAA that the "Blue Book" says is worth $14,000 and the kind, well-meaning dealer is willing to sell it to you for 'only' $12,000? You think you are getting a reasonable deal except you don't realize that no one else would pay more than $8,000 for that same SAA revolver.

Last I looked, the "Blue Book" is a reference volume. Why, then, would one author fiction between its covers?

 

[johnh]

"Buck Rodgers, Dick Tracy, Walt Disney's Future World, were all forward looking." This is true, but they were very minimal in the entertainment world compared to Westerns in the 1940s-early 60s. Thousands of Western movies were made, and 9 out of the 10 top TV shows in the 1950s were Westerns. We all know who the Western stars were, but who even remembers who played Dick Tracy or Buck Rogers (it was actually Buster Crabbe who was by far primarily a Western star). Those Westerns were the formative medium that shaped those of us who are spending big money now on old Colts SAAs and Winchester lever actions. Even cap guns and toy holsters on ebay with the name Hopalong or Autry on them are bringing big money. In 30 years no one will even know who they were, and their value will be zip.

 

[Prowbar]

https://asauctions.hibid.com/lot/30...om/lot/30352053/first-generation--colt--saa-revolver/?cpage=8&ref=catalog&q=380

If I had the money... 47,5K

 

[Prowbar]

I thought nice colts were too expensive and the market for new buyers was drying up 20 years ago.....goes to show what I "know"... I doubt if these guys buying these high priced guns are new buyers, from what I see at auctions and gun shows. Guys like me who grew up with Wayne, Autry, and Rogers are < or > 70 years, and have money to spend and a lifetime of interest in these guns. When we stop buying I do not believe the next generation raised on Stallone and Schwarzenegger will be spending this kind of money on old west guns. With a few exceptions, their interest is in more modern weapons. At least that is what all the younger shooters I know express to me. Time will tell, but I speak with a lot of younger shooters, and they are not going to be spending their wealth on obsolete firearms. They were raised looking to the future, not reminiscing in the past.

I'm a fairly young guy and interested in Old West era firearms

 

[rooster721]

As am I.

Of coarse, myself I was raised on a fourth/going fifth Generation cattle operation; late 1800's decent. The family history and lifestyle that went with it is what's driving people like me to follow up on Colts & Winchesters of times gone by... it-is a fact though, there are less of us now'a day's, but we're still out there.

(I think) as long as there's still a place in the world for the Cattle guys & Horse-work, Ranches, Farms and for a place for a kid among company that keeps life in all those things, the history that was (and still-is) being written by all them is what'll keep an interest and demand alive for the Revolvers and lever guns & such.. those things go hand in hand with Farms & Ranches regardless of era..

I would imagine also, that NOBODY 120 years ago would have thought any of these old Colts would still be in use or worth anything-to-anyone (today) either!

 

[bbates123]

Hey look at this one for only $1.7 million! It makes the action sites seem like a real bargain!

ARMSLIST - For Sale: INCREDIBLE FACTORY ENGRAVED AND NICKLE PLATED 1886 SAA COLT .45 WITH FACTORY LETTER POSSIBLE FAMOUS OWNER $ 1,700,000.00

 

[Cascades]

That is the greatest advertisement I've seen on any auction site. Two photos only. A possibility of Bill Cody. And the seller's first name.

For me, that revolver is indeed, "TRULY AN INCREDIBLE COLT."

I hope Chris finds a buyer just for the sale to have made history.

(Were he to come down to $1.5 million, I doubt I could, even then, afford the USPS insurance cost to get it home. But I doubt his price is negotiable, so I'll not lose sleep over it.)

 

[Pineridge]

All,
I see much more moderate prices for flintlocks, so maybe the technology does wear out over time. my guess is the growth in population and wealth, along with the mass communication capabilities. we will have records/pictures of everything and everybody floating around for a long time so people interested in the past will have a full time job digging stuff up electronically which should lengthen the interest in any given historical item.
regards

 

[beemermark]

A
I would imagine also, that NOBODY 120 years ago would have thought any of these old Colts would still be in use or worth anything-to-anyone (today) either!

Neither did anyone in the late 40's and 50's. Which is why you see so many "obsolete" calibers like the WCF being re-barreled and given new cylinders from places like Christy's, and why the guns were refinished and blued.

 

[jplower]

There will always be a place for first gen single actions in any condition. As long as shooting sports are alive and western themes still work their way into movies, each generation will be aware of them. Doesn't matter if Denzel Washington is using a repro Colt, in the eyes of the viewer, it IS a Colt. Somewhere inside, a select few of them will decide they want the real thing, even if wifey is a stone cold Liberal. Mel Torme' told me one of his wives fit this description, and his desire to collect the finest Colts and Walther pistols drove her to file for divorce, once she realized the value they had. He had over 600 single actions at one time. With Trump in office, more money is flowing into firearm investments again. The past eight years have been a little pensive for most of us. I liquidated several great SA's when Obama took office, fearing I'd never realize my investment potential, but had I held on, i would have. The question is, how long do you hold on to a cash cow before it may decline? At some point, the value outweighs the emotions, and you sell when the right offer comes along. The great thing about SA's is that they trade at all levels of value and condition, so virtually anyone can get into them for investment and shooting enjoyment.

JP

 

[Sparebux]

There will always be a place for first gen single actions in any condition. As long as shooting sports are alive and western themes still work their way into movies, each generation will be aware of them. Doesn't matter if Denzel Washington is using a repro Colt, in the eyes of the viewer, it IS a Colt. Somewhere inside, a select few of them will decide they want the real thing, even if wifey is a stone cold Liberal. Mel Torme' told me one of his wives fit this description, and his desire to collect the finest Colts and Walther pistols drove her to file for divorce, once she realized the value they had. He had over 600 single actions at one time. With Trump in office, more money is flowing into firearm investments again. The past eight years have been a little pensive for most of us. I liquidated several great SA's when Obama took office, fearing I'd never realize my investment potential, but had I held on, i would have. The question is, how long do you hold on to a cash cow before it may decline? At some point, the value outweighs the emotions, and you sell when the right offer comes along. The great thing about SA's is that they trade at all levels of value and condition, so virtually anyone can get into them for investment and shooting enjoyment.

JP

Well Said!