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I just acquired a Colt SAA

2395 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  trapper45
I finally have a Colt SAA back in my accumulation. "Accumulation" is the term for somebody that buys
whatever they like, unlike a "collector" who usually has some direction in mind with their purchases.

Over the years I have owned at least 8 different Colt SAA revolvers. Most were sold when somebody caught me in a moment of weakness and offered me way to much money. Oh well.
The last one I sold was an original made in 1876. 44 caliber, blued, it had a replaced ejector housing.
Stupid to have let it go!!!!

I found this one at a pawn shop. I work in a retail sporting goods store that sells just about everything
EXCEPT for firearms and loading supplies. We have ammo, all the accessories, etc. We even have a large
selection od adult airguns and accessories.
A customer came in and happened to tell me he saw a Colt SAA in a pawn shop he had visited. He told me it was priced at $1799.99.He was not sure which pawn shop, but knew it was in the northern part of town. Two days later, on my day off, I went looking!

I found it at the second stop.
It was a newer gun with no box, and I was a little disappointed. I figured at $1799.99 that it would be an older gun.
I then realized the price was only $1299.99. That got me more interested. The gun is almost perfect, with only
a faint turn line on the cylinder. It has a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blued and case hardened, and is in the 45 Colt caliber.
This store is part of a chain in the town, and several of the guys know me from my visits and previous purchases.
After some haggling, I bought the gun. They gave me a fair price on a box of ammo too.

Two days later, on my next day off, I was in another, unrelated pawn shop. Behind the counter, propped against the wall, was a wooden box with a Colt medallion inlaid. I asked to look at it. Nice surprise....it was for a Colt SAA
with a 7 1/2" barrel !!!! Lucky !!!! I got it for a reasonable price, so my new Colt has a nice display box now.

Test firing 5 rounds on a cold windy day gave me a 4 inch group at twenty yards. I hurried a bit, and was offhand, and the gun seems to be right on point-of-aim. I'll know more when I have more time and better weather.

One question......date of manufacture.???? I know older guns, but not these new ones.
It is marked S43XXXA. Anybody know when they started dating them this way?????
Any idea of manufacture date????

Oh.....I do own a couple of Colt Bisley models, 38/40 and 32/20, plus several older double action guns.
This SAA is staying in my accumulation.....hopefully for many more years.

Good Shootin!!
DarryH
Nebraska
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I think Colt started the SXXXXXA 3rd gen S/N's in 1993 or 1994. Your S/N S43XXXA is a 2006 or 2007. Call colt CS for the actual year of Manufacture.
DarryH: That is a very good story. I have seen many Colt SAA's in Pawn Shops over the years. Usually they are well overpriced due to the BlueBook listings. That is the basic knowledge they seem to possess.
Thanks for the help. That was quick.
I really like the blue on this gun.
It may not be that super deep blue of the older guns, but it looks
a lot better than the last ones made when they discontinued the line in 1982.
Nice to see quality return.

Now if I could find a reasonably priced Officer's Model Match in .22 and/or 38 Special,
with a 6" barrel or maybe longer, with nice deep bluing, I would be a happy guy...for now.

Thanks again.
DarryH
I finally have a Colt SAA back in my accumulation. "Accumulation" is the term for somebody that buys
whatever they like, unlike a "collector" who usually has some direction in mind with their purchases.

DarryH
Nebraska

Thank you, thank you, for that statement. I've preached that for many years!

Bob Wright
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Then there's people like me ... Collector for some models... Accumulator for others.. About flat broke in between.Congratulations on your find.I do collect Colt SAA's and that configuration in 3rd gen is still on my list. Too many other more rare guns were bought first, and now 3rd gen prices have been on the rise since production has slowed, or demand is higher, or both. It's still on my list though!
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My collection includes cowboy guns, military guns, black powder guns, even some black" guns.
I also like the classics as well as some weird stuff.
The week before the Colt purchase, I bought an 1909 Argentine Mauser with the full Mannlicher stock.
The week before that it was 1873 Winchester in 38/40 caliber, made in 1879.
I also picked up a "Mare's leg" .22, and a little (kinda like) copy of a Remington Vest Pocket pistol.
It shoot .176 round lead balls, powered by a #10 percussion cap.
Like I said...I accumulate.
Accumulation vs Collection: Over the years I have tried to collect specific guns such as the Pre-64 Winchester Model 70's and German P-38's. In both cases I rapidly found that it is easy to start a collection, but it can take most of one's life to really 'complete' a collection unless you are wealthy and can buy other's collections at premium prices.
I feel this inability to 'complete' a collection has driven me to 'accumulate' collectable firearms.
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hi darry

I'm a gun accumulator, and I'm proud if it, lol


Mjc
Accumulation vs Collection: Over the years I have tried to collect specific guns such as the Pre-64 Winchester Model 70's and German P-38's. In both cases I rapidly found that it is easy to start a collection, but it can take most of one's life to really 'complete' a collection unless you are wealthy and can buy other's collections at premium prices.I feel this inability to 'complete' a collection has driven me to 'accumulate' collectable firearms.
Hear , Hear ! Well said. That last sentence is accurate enough to be appropriately written on my tombstone.
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...I feel this inability to 'complete' a collection has driven me to 'accumulate' collectable guns, women, cars, boats, houses, etc. .
:p
I tend to use the term 'accumullection' for the assortment assembled over the years. There may not be any governing system to what I've gathered, but what I've got is what I wanted, and I guess that's sufficiently systematic for me.
I tend to use the term 'accumullection' for the assortment assembled over the years. There may not be any governing system to what I've gathered, but what I've got is what I wanted, and I guess that's sufficiently systematic for me.
trapper45: The word you coined, accumullection, is perfect for people like us. That makes us "Accumullectors".
trapper45: The word you coined, accumullection, is perfect for people like us. That makes us "Accumullectors".
As well as enablers!!!!!:eek:
Or, just a more polite term for us packrats who happen to like guns . . . .
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