It is just that Colt did not use the full serial number on the barrels, or cylinders once they hit 5 digits. They just used the last 4 digits of the serial number.

 

it is an 1884 gun with all matching numbers. There may be a matching number on the inside of the grips. It should be 45 Colt as it is early for a 44-40. It may also have a US stamped on the left side of the frame. I would like to see the top of the hammer to see if it too is period correct. The barrel is cut too short for an ejector housing. A very interesting gun. Value is a bit hard to pin down without holding the gun in hand but I would guess 2000 to 2500 give or take a bit. Some of us like the early guns.

 

it is an 1884 gun with all matching numbers.

This SAA revolver (SN: 11208) was made in 1874, not 1884.

Rusty Edwards

 

I would think the value of that SAA would be below $1000. It strikes me as nothing more than a 'wall hanger.'

 

Yes 1874 is correct. I hit the wrong key. As for value it comes in two forms. Actual value which would be 1000 or less based on the condition. Perceived value based on history, romance, and this being the iconic colt Single Action would surely drive the price higher in an auction.

 

Phone only this morning so pics not good. Is that a A under the TG number?

 

no, i don't see anything else under the number.

 

Nice old Colt. Don't buff it up or clean with anything abrasive as it will hurt the value. Bit I would spray it down with a good penetrating oil.

 

thank you. i agree with you on that. for the last couple of years i've been hitting it with penetrating oil; and more recently with 50/50 acetone and atf. it was completely frozen when i got it. most of the moving parts are free now, but the cylinder pin/shaft is frozen to the cylinder, so can't get it out. i would like to get the rust off and get it disassembled and cleaned, if it doesn't impair the value.

 

One persons "nice" is another persons "wall-hanger". Personally, that thing looks rough to me. I cant imagine it bringing anywhere near $2000.00 unless it has some very interesting and well documented history.

 

I have to agree with hearsedriver…..although I really like the OP's Colt, I do think 2K for that Colt is way too much. BUT that doesn't mean that someone out there wouldn't pay such a sum!

 

a few more photos

first thank you all for your comments.

i added a few more photos. i found another number '646' stamped on the inside of the loading gate.

what i do with this gun depends a lot on its value, and i don't want to do anything to decrease that. i appreciate your comments on how to go about cleaning it up (preserving,restoring?).

 

The number on the loading gate should match a number on the bottom of the frame once the trigger guard is removed.

 

I think it's very cool. As someone who likes rusty dug-up condition, I would pass on it if you took it apart or cleaned it in any way. The gun tells a story the way it is now. Any reconditioning would ruin it for me.

 

Why does the hammer appear to be wet? Whatever you do do not use any product that says removes rust. It will strip the gun of all the patina.

 

it's atf with some acetone in it, but the acetone evaporates quickly

 

Very cool old revolver. Are you sure you can't share any of the story with us. I sure wouldn't take less than $1500 for it but then I'd probably not want to part with it for any amount. I don't see anybody giving more than $3000, unless it belonged to one of Sam Bass's "pals" or a Kingfisher hand or some such. Does it actually still time properly and have the C-O-L-T 4 clicks when you cock it now that you got it freed up ??

I really like it. Thanks very much for sharing it with us. It is just so unusual to see them as they were "preserved" by the old timers.

 

wow, thanks for the kind comments. i'd love to share its history if i knew it, but neither i nor anyone else in the family knows anything about it. it came with a holster that i will take some pictures of and post in a day or two.

it doesn't time properly. cylinder rotation is iffy, and i only count 3 clicks when it's cocked.

we also found among grandpa's things a belgian (i think) copy of a s&w break open revolver in 44-40. it's in somewhat better condition than the colt. it has no serial number.

 

holster

here's a couple of photos of the holster that came with the gun. it's marked "Royal" on the front in script and has 8 brass buttons. the belt loop is stamped with the number 224 and under that what appears to be 3/4.

i'm hoping the holster might give some clues on the history of the gun. maybe i should start a new thread on that subject.

any thoughts?

 

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here's a couple of photos of the holster that came with the gun. it's marked "Royal" on the front in script and has 8 brass buttons. the belt loop is stamped with the number 224 and under that what appears to be 3/4.

i'm hoping the holster might give some clues on the history of the gun. maybe i should start a new thread on that subject.

any thoughts?

Oh, you're killing me, it was in that holster and grandpa had a big Belgian .44 too ! Man that rig has that "been up the trail" vibe in spades. Pictures of the Belgian too please.

 

With the grip notches and holster I think someone liked the number 8. Sorry, very cool though.

 

i didn't notice that there were 8 notches until you pointed it out. i just thought they were a cheesy decoration, and still suspect this is the case

 

Would be something to have the history, esp in light of those grip notches.....and what they usually represent.

 

sadly it looks like the history is lost. re the notches, if they were intended to represent kills, why would you mark it on both grips? note however that there is also an 'X' carved into the top of the left grip.

 

There’s a guy out here who frequents all the local shops for cheap old guns. He puts notches in the stocks of everything and tells everyone he got them off the “rez”. He makes enough money on them at all the gun shows to keep doing it.

 

i have a rusty single action that belonged to my wife's grandfather. i believe it is 44-40, but can't find it stamped anywhere. the barrel has been shortened and it's missing some parts. the serial number is stamped on the frame and grip in 3 places as 11208, and on the barrel and cylinder as 1208. can any of you experts tell me the significance of this difference and what they mean? also, considering it's condition, does it have any value?

thanks a lot for y'alls help
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At somewhere near #10225 Colt's instructions were to stamp only 4 digits on the barrel and cylinder (not 5 as formerly done). I wonder if this is a "U. S." gun with a tiny "A" under the trigger guard SN, right behind the hammer on backstrap, on the periphery of cylinder, and underside of barrel? The "U. S." to the right of the patent dates may be obscured by rust, or may have been removed. Ainsworth ("A") was the dominant Government Inspector for the early Colt SAA purchases.

Most likely this is a 45 Colt, and you can confirm that by peering through a cylinder chamber.