[taptap]

"Colt 45 Pre-War SAA Revolve. Long Flute Series (shipped 1913 - 1915)" Need some help

This gun is for sale locally. The description in my title is from the seller not me. I'm looking for as much information as I can get from the experts here. If it looks promising, ultimately I would like to buy this gun and find a home for it immediately(maybe one of you). I spoke with the owner and she said that the pistol has been in her family for more than 40 years.

What I'm looking for is help confirming what this is and what it is likely worth. I'll be able to get some good photos in a few days but until then this is what I have.

The front sight looks to have been replaced or worked she also told me that she believes that the grips are "ivory", Ser # 330019. Thanks in advance!

 

[coltsixguns]

It's hard to tell a whole lot about the finish on the gun from the pictures and the lighting they were taken in but it is in the correct serial number range to be a long flute (330,000 to 331,480)

You don't see many 7-1/2" barrel lengths in these and the front sight has definitely has been altered/replaced.

The grips are plastic with a "stag" pattern to them......not ivory at all and they have no value. An original pair of decent hard rubber grips will run you $150 to $200 and the front sight can be repaired but I'm sure that would be a fairly expensive expense.

If it was fully original and the finish is just a natural brownish patina with some blue in the flutes I would say the value would be $2800 to $3000 maybe a tad more if a person really wanted it in my region.

My vibe is that it would be okay to pick it up for under $1600 or so as is.

 

[Rick]

Yeah, the grips, sight and all blue refinish hurt it badly. .45 cal is the most common caliber in long flutes so no premium there. Probably 2K in my neighborhood. I'd letter it if I bought it right. As sixguns said, you don't see many long flutes in 7 1/2. Curious if original.

 

[hwjhfs]

330010 and 330029 are both long flutes so the gun is in the range as stated earlier.

 

[coltsixguns]

Yeah, the grips, sight and all blue refinish hurt it badly. .45 cal is the most common caliber in long flutes so no premium there. Probably 2K in my neighborhood. I'd letter it if I bought it right. As sixguns said, you don't see many long flutes in 7 1/2. Curious if original.

You know Rick, When I first looked at the close up of the frame and cylinder I thought it was full blued also but I'm not sure it's not just poor lighting that has everything looking dark and fairly uniform in color when I think good lighting might tell a different story. Will be interesting to see if we see any better pictures of it!

 

[Trapdoor]

There are a couple of long flutes on gunbroker right now to get some price checks verse condition. One has been there awhile so might be high in todays market. I noticed that this serial number is close to a couple I have in my AZ shipped research project (330015 & 330016).

 

[taptap]

Yeah, the grips, sight and all blue refinish hurt it badly.

So this gun should not be "blue"? Does that mean they were never blue or the it's nearly impossible to find one blue?

 

[guy sajer]

The frame should be color cased . The rest in blue . Not blue over all .

 

[Trapdoor]

The trigger is not in the proper position if the hammer is all the way down. There is probably issues with the hammer notches and/or trigger sear, as noted in the (needs some help) description.

 

[taptap]

The trigger is not in the proper position if the hammer is all the way down. There is probably issues with the hammer notches and/or trigger sear, as noted in the (needs some help) description.

Nice call. Now that you've pointed it out I can see it. I knew that you guys would know the skinny on these old revolvers. Thanks.
It's starting to look like unless she willing to entertain something less that $2000 this isn't worth pursuing. Would that be fair to say?

 

[dogface6]

Yes.

The plastic grips and Buscadero belt don't add value.

Sadly, this is one of a legion of re-blued Single Action Armys so commonly seen during the heyday of the TV Western.

 

[Jim Martin]

It's hard to tell a whole lot about the finish on the gun from the pictures and the lighting they were taken in but it is in the correct serial number range to be a long flute (330,000 to 331,480)

You don't see many 7-1/2" barrel lengths in these and the front sight has definitely has been altered/replaced.

The grips are plastic with a "stag" pattern to them......not ivory at all and they have no value. An original pair of decent hard rubber grips will run you $150 to $200 and the front sight can be repaired but I'm sure that would be a fairly expensive expense.

If it was fully original and the finish is just a natural brownish patina with some blue in the flutes I would say the value would be $2800 to $3000 maybe a tad more if a person really wanted it in my region.

My vibe is that it would be okay to pick it up for under $1600 or so as is.

Coltsixguns,a correction on there being no value on the grips,they appear to be Great Western grips & will bring @ least $ 75.00 or more depending on condition.

 

[coltsixguns]

Coltsixguns,a correction on there being no value on the grips,they appear to be Great Western grips & will bring @ least $ 75.00 or more depending on condition.

Thanks Jim......I bought a nice prewar single action a few months ago with grips just like them and nearly threw them away but thought better and saved them in case I come across a parts gun or something cheap that just needed something for grips. Never dreamed they were worth more than $10 at best!

 

[LEO918]

I acquired a pre-war gun not long ago with a pair of those plastic stags marked Franzite. Sold them for $10 - live and learn.

 

[Rick]

You know Rick, When I first looked at the close up of the frame and cylinder I thought it was full blued also but I'm not sure it's not just poor lighting that has everything looking dark and fairly uniform in color when I think good lighting might tell a different story. Will be interesting to see if we see any better pictures of it!

Jim, To these tired old eyes it still looks blue.....I have been known to make a mistake. I think it was back in July of 1967 I may have made a mistake. Of course I could be mistaken!

 

[coltsixguns]

Jim, To these tired old eyes it still looks blue.....I have been known to make a mistake. I think it was back in July of 1967 I may have made a mistake. Of course I could be mistaken!

LOL.....it appeared to me to not be totally the same blue all over but parts of it looked like they were contrasting a tad so I was imagining with some light it might actually be a brownish frame and the flats of the straps and the cylinder a little bluish.

Maybe the OP will get it and we can see it with some decent pictures!

 

[Hopalong]

LOL.....it appeared to me to not be totally the same blue all over but parts of it looked like they were contrasting a tad so I was imagining with some light it might actually be a brownish frame and the flats of the straps and the cylinder a little bluish. Maybe the OP will get it and we can see it with some decent pictures!

Jim, I'm pretty certain it's all blue. Tim

 

[coltsixguns]

Jim, I'm pretty certain it's all blue. Tim

Maybe it was just "wishful thinking"....seems to be a lot of that going around now a days.

 

[Jim Martin]

Re; the plastic grips,Pointer Pup & Franzite made a bunch of them over the years for different SA's & probably aren't worth very much & the ones made for the Great Western usually fit a Colt fairly close,awhile back a pair of GW's were auctioned on one of the sites & brought $75.00,I've seen the others go for far less.They came w/2 background colors,1 was black & the other was brown.

 

[cubrock]

Re; the plastic grips,Pointer Pup & Franzite made a bunch of them over the years for different SA's & probably aren't worth very much & the ones made for the Great Western usually fit a Colt fairly close,awhile back a pair of GW's were auctioned on one of the sites & brought $75.00,I've seen the others go for far less.They came w/2 background colors,1 was black & the other was brown.

Jim is correct. The vast majority of plastic "stags" you see are commercial aftermarkets and they typically sell for $10, give or take. The Great Western plastic "stags" bring more from buyers looking to put them on Great Westerns.