[Iouda]

I have found an SSA with the serial #52If this is ligit how do I get it authenticated?And how much should I pay? The gentleman is asking $1200It's in fair condition, prob a 5 on a 1-10 scale. Almost no blue left, but boa allot of pitting.

 

[Colt-SL]

Reading your previouos posts, you obviouosly mean SAA (Single Action Army). It takes some time to receive authentification from Colt's in the form of an archive letter. Go here for more info: Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC > Customer Services > Archive Services

 

[Chaffee]

A two digit SAA for $1200 is quite a find. However, you need to tread carefully here. Are you sure it's a Colt and not a Mexican/Spanish Copy? Please post some photos if you can.

 

[mrcvs]

IF it is serial number 52, it should have a pinched frame. BEWARE!!! It sounds way too good to be true. This firearm, if really number 52, could be worth in excess of $50,000. Since it is only $1,200, it sounds very suspicious to me!

 

[rockislandauction]

Correct, if it WAS a GENUINE serial number 52, you would buy it immediately. However, for the price I can almost guarantee it isn't unless this guy has NO clue what he is selling.

We had a Colt pinched frame SAA, serial no. 58 that sold back in 2008 for $126,500.

 

[Iouda]

I am new to these guns and don't know really what to look for. I don't know what a pinched frame isCan someone post a pic please? Also a pic of a copy, so I can compare.What markings/lack of markings should I look for?Thanks for all the input!

 

[Iouda]

Also the seller mentioned a "bullseye" ejector. What is that?

 

[Rick]

I am new to these guns and don't know really what to look for. I don't know what a pinched frame isCan someone post a pic please? Also a pic of a copy, so I can compare.What markings/lack of markings should I look for?Thanks for all the input!

Take and post a GOOD pic of top of frame. The rear sight channel is the area in question.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

what the heck is an ssa? I see this a lot.

 

[rockislandauction]

ANSWERS:

1. Pinched frame Colt looks like this. It comes from an article we wrote last year on Colt collecting. Buying Colt Single Actions ? A Beginner?s Guide & Unique Auction It should be very helpful to your current situation.

2. Bullseye ejector refers to the end of the ejector rod nearest to the muzzle and its appearance. If it looks like a bullseye (or some say "donut"), then you have a bullseye ejector.

3. I don't know what SSA stands for, but SAA stands for "Single Action Army"

I'd write more, but we have an auction coming up in two days and I'm swamped! Hope that article helps out. You'll need to check the gun in question for appropriate inspector marks. Does the seller have a factory letter? What caliber is it in? I gotta say though, it sounds like he knows what he has isn't the real deal and he is pricing it accordingly.

 

[Iouda]

Thanks, that helps allot. I know I messed up in title, sorry.

 

[Jim Martin]

An easy description of the "pinched frame" sight for the novice,when u look a the sight from the rear of the gun the groove in the frame is in the shape of a U,the view from the rear of the standard colt is in the shape of a "V"

 

[Hondo44]

ANSWERS:

1. Pinched frame Colt looks like this. It comes from an article we wrote last year on Colt collecting. Buying Colt Single Actions ? A Beginner?s Guide & Unique Auction It should be very helpful to your current situation.
View attachment 46796

Pinched frames were only produced on the first 100-200 SAAs which had numerous other small differences until all subtle details were standardized. Like very long loading gates, #1 style ejector rod housing, stampings, etc.

Pinched frames are often faked by welding up a later Colt and re-milling. But in the photo above you can see the long loading gate on the pinched frame gun on the left; another way to verify (if it hasn't been faked as well). The very early long loading gate rear edge extends almost all the way back to the hammer.

Notice the rear edge of the short loading gate on the right.
I went to the link above. You guys did an excellent job on that site. The zoom in shots are spectacular. I clicked on the 44 Rim Fire lot # and watched the video. I have to tell you though, I was aghast at your “expert” in the video at the bottom. He doesn’t even know to fully cock the hammer before letting it down and he did it on two $100,000 plus rare Colts!!!

 

[Iouda]

Thanks allot, I am going to look at the gun today,And will post pics if I can

 

[JohnnyP]

I don't think someone would go to the trouble to fake a pinched frame and then sell it for $1200. Pictures will tell the story.

 

[hwjhfs]

Also. If the seller knows enough to call the ejector rod head a "Bullseye" I think he would know if he had a real COLT pinched frame. At $1200 I am leaning toward a Belgium/Spanish/Mexico copy.

 

[Rick]

Pinched frames were only produced on the first 100-200 SAAs which had numerous other small differences until all subtle details were standardized. Like very long loading gates, #1 style ejector rod housing, stampings, etc.

Pinched frames are often faked by welding up a later Colt and re-milling. But in the photo above you can see the long loading gate on the pinched frame gun on the right; another way to verify (if it hasn't been faked as well). Notice the rear edge of the short loading gate on the left. The very early long loading gate rear edge extends almost all the way back to the hammer.

I went to the link above. You guys did an excellent job on that site. The zoom in shots are spectacular. I clicked on the 44 Rim Fire lot # and watched the video. I have to tell you though, I was aghast at your “expert” in the video at the bottom. He doesn’t even know to fully cock the hammer before letting it down and he did it on two $100,000 plus rare Colts!!!

I'm no expert on pinched frames but I don't like the looks of the example posted. If I had the money to buy one i'd require an X-ray of the sight area before dropping the cash!

 

[Hondo44]

I don't think someone would go to the trouble to fake a pinched frame and then sell it for $1200. Pictures will tell the story.

At least not until it was "outed" and he may be the 10th owner since it had been faked and not the one who did it, he only knows that he didn't pay much money for it. Outed fakes often end up in the hands of those that know the least about real Colts.

There are also faked guns in very high priced collections that aren't "discovered" until they go to auction where they are finally evaluated by an expert. Having a gun evaluated for authenticity by a professional is not cheap and some collectors would rather not know so they can resell it with a clean conscience. Colt SAAs are the most faked firearm in the world.

 

[Hondo44]

Also. If the seller knows enough to call the ejector rod head a "Bullseye" I think he would know if he had a real COLT pinched frame. At $1200 I am leaning toward a Belgium/Spanish/Mexico copy.

Hardly! Thanks to all the clones produced in black powder configuration, those that know the term "Bullseye Ejector" out number those that know what a pinched frame is by at least 100,000 to 1. "What's a pinched frame?" was even asked in this thread!

 

[Rick]

At least not until it was "outed" and he may be the 10th owner since it had been faked and not the one who did it, he only knows that he didn't pay much money for it. Outed fakes often end up in the hands of those that know the least about real Colts.

There are also faked guns in very high priced collections that aren't "discovered" until they go to auction where they are finally evaluated by an expert. Having a gun evaluated for authenticity by a professional is not cheap and some collectors would rather not know so they can resell it with a clean conscience. Colt SAAs are the most faked firearm in the world.

I agree. How many US guns do you see for sale at the shows with a Kopec authentication letter? A bad letter is the kiss of death from a value stand point. I think some ( not all) of the dealers " don't wanna know!"