[KennethLarsen]

Hello out there I need your help .

I come from Denmark Europe and I cant find a better place to ask what this Colt Saa is worth.

I bought it many years ago but I would like you to make an assessment on this old revolver .

Data :
Colt Single Action Army
Model 1873
Caliber 45
Barrel 5 1/2
Serialnumbers 3 ( 10237, 18366 and 35501).
Stamped by Henry Nettleton only on the barrel H. N and a P behind (See the pictures please).
Stamped U. S. on the frame.

I was told that it was normal when the army did a remake fra 7 1/2 inch barrel to the 5 1/2 inch barrel they didn`t care about putting the right serialnumbers back together again.

Please help me make an assement on this gun .

Thanks .

 

[saintclair]

KL: I have several such Military Colts. Yours is a typical looking Artillery Model that was reassembled from dismantled Cavalry Models with a shortened or replacement barrel. Since your barrel is marked HN, that means it was a shortened Cavalry barrel. If the frame SN is 10237, that means it is from a very early cavalry that was made during the Ainsworth Inspector's time. (probably mid-to-late 1870's).
The wear is typical of a well used gun. I notice the grips are undersized which may be due to shrinkage or from being refinished/replaced.
The cylinder seems to have very slight, or no, lead-ins on the notches which means it is quite early and may also be from an Ainsworth Cavalry. See if you can find a very small "A" inspector's mark on cylinder. It should also have a "P" marking on it. Many times these markings get worn off.
I would guess the gun might have a value in the $3500-$5000 range here in parts of the USA.
Also, some frames were blued when the guns were reworked. Your gun has that appearance on the frame, but it could also have been re-blued by someone later on.
John Kopek has an excellent book on such Military Colt SAA's. If you search the internet, you can find references to his book, or just check Amazon website for a listing of all the books he has written.
I am certain other Forum members with more knowledge Than I have on this subject will add their comments.

 

[KennethLarsen]

Colt

Hello Sinclair.Do you have any 1 gen. Colt saa caliber 45 with 5 1/2" barrel for sale ?Kenneth.

 

[saintclair]

KennethLarsen: All of the US Military Colt SAA's are prized possessions. I have no plans to sell any. Over the past few years I have only 'traded up' with one 5-1/2" Artillery in order to get another Military SAA that I liked better.

 

[Rick]

KennethL. If you post or p.m. your frame serial number I'll check my Springfield Research Service reference books and see if it's listed. If so, it will say which military unit the gun was issued to.
Are you interested in purchasing military Colt SAAs or civilian?

 

[hmaag]

If it's an Ainsworth cylinder here the stamps.
Hans

 

[KennethLarsen]

Hello Rick.
The frame serialnumber is 10237 .
I`m interessted in military ones only . Do you have some for sale ?

 

[KennethLarsen]

Hello Hans. The numbers on the cylinder I`m afraid is gone :-(.

 

[KennethLarsen]

Maybe the is someone else who want`s to make an assement on this Colt. If you do please come foreward ;-). It`s nice to have some assessments to compare with .

 

[Rick]

Hello Rick.
The frame serialnumber is 10237 .
I`m interessted in military ones only . Do you have some for sale ?

Kenneth, Your serial was not listed in my SRS books. Close serials are 10117 sent to San Fernando, P.I. police dept. 10139, 1st US Vol. Cav. (Rough Riders) 10406 sent to camp Keithley, P.I. Many guns in your serial range were originally sent to the 8th Cavalry.

And yes.. I have several US cavalry model SAAs for sale. P.M. me if you would like descriptions.

 

[KennethLarsen]

Hello Rick.It would be great if you would describe those U.S. Colt you have for sale. Maybe you will mail me some pictures as well. My email is [email protected]. I hope its allowed to post emails here in colt forum.Kenneth.