Yup...

The first thing you should've done was to buy (and read) some reference books - collecting SAAs is no joke, and requires a decent working knowledge well before pulling out a wallet.

This one's been buffed to within an inch of its life, then dropped into a hot blue tank.

It'd be worth trying to get your money back, but that's doubtful.

 

Yeah i will say it was and expensive lesson... i dont know if i should go through GB or just ask the guy if he will do a return but i doubt he will.

 

Depending on what you paid (and I'm not asking, that is between you and your conscience) it still may be something to play with if it's solid and tight.
Sometimes a mistake is an invaluable lesson in the long run.
good luck,

 

Yeah a invaluable lesson indeed! I will be doing alot of reading on this forum.

 

Im new to the forum! I grew up watching my grandpa clean all his old colts in the early 80’s and decided its time i buy one to start collecting. I found one on gun broker and thought it would be a start. Colt SAA 1st gen. It arrived today and it definitely wasn't what i was expecting... i think i got fooled on this one.

I feel for you completely since no one wants to be cheated out of their money or end up holding something completely unexpected. People are out there who just want to steal from others everyday. I hope you find peace after this debacle. My advice, which isn't worth much would be to find a reputable forum member who is looking to move a SAA. There are some fine members who help others in their searches.

 

Agreed. Very good advise. ^^^^

 

As you stated you can try and talk to the seller but you are probably stuck with it. Make the best of it and use this as a reminder to always do your homework first, especially with Guns. It could be a great shooter. Change out those grips and see what you have……..

 

What year is it?

 

No idea

 

Tip: to new people starting to collect expensive antiques of any kind - do not buy online. Spend some time in gun shops and shows and with other collectors, handling what you are learning about. Buy your first 1, 2, or 10 live, face to face. Learn about good sellers, clueless sellers, and scam sellers, by facing them and talking to them. You will not get robbed if you look closely face to face. Don't buy something based on an internet picture and description from a stranger, that may disappear after the sale, and is in a far away place. I'll barely buy a $25 laptop battery that way....why try to "learn" about collecting Colts, early american art, or vintage jewelry that way?

 

Great advise here. Agreed 100% ^^^^^^^

 

If this is the auction (Colt Single Action Army 4” 45 Colt - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 902185713), I'm not sure how you got fooled. Seller stated it was refinished and the pictures are decent which show the condition. It was bought using the "Buy it now feature", did you ask any questions? Based on the price you paid, I think it was going rate.

 

If this is the auction (Colt Single Action Army 4” 45 Colt - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 902185713), I'm not sure how you got fooled. Seller stated it was refinished and the pictures are decent which show the condition. It was bought using the "Buy it now feature", did you ask any questions? Based on the price you paid, I think it was going rate.

I did ask questions and i did use the buy it now feature. Because it was the going rate. The pictures were mis leading for sure. But ill take it to the gun smith and have him go through it. I spoke with the seller and im not giving him negative feedback. Its a learning experience

 

I too just looked at the GB auction link. Seems described properly except listed as a 4” barrel instead of being a 4 3/4”. In all fairness if the tiiming, lockup, and mechanics are all proper it should make you a good shooter for a .45 cal. SAA. Just my 2 cents worth for what it’s worth. 😎

 

It has happened to most of us at one time or another. Nobody it born an expert on anything, it takes time and effort. I doubt the seller (or GB) will return your money. Maybe it is a good shooter, change out the grips and go have fun with it.
Put this experience in the same category as "the stripper said she really liked me" stories.

 

Put this experience in the same category as "the stripper said she really liked me" stories.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

As a 'glass half full' type person, I think it could of been much worse. Reading the listing, I have to agree you did not get scammed; the seller put it out there and if the auction had proceeded, you might have gotten it for less. Also, a pristine example would have cost many times what you paid. If, holding and owning a real SAA was your goal, then you have succeeded. If, remorse does not subside, then sell or trade it up.

 

That isn’t a 1st Gen barrel.

 

It looks like a 1st Gen black powder frame with replacement 2nd Gen barrel and cylinder and it has been reblued. If the mechanics function well I think you got a decent deal. I understand the disappointment if you were expecting something more collectible but for what it is I think the price was fair. I wonder what that stamp is next to the serial number.

 

Im not sure on the stamp but ill look and see when i get home.

 

What is the serial number?

Not easy to see in the pictures (with tired eyes).

 

Im new to the forum! I grew up watching my grandpa clean all his old colts in the early 80’s and decided its time i buy one to start collecting. I found one on gun broker and thought it would be a start. Colt SAA 1st gen. It arrived today and it definitely wasn't what i was expecting... i think i got fooled on this one.

We all have been "fooled" at one time or another. Can't wait to show you my "Confederate" sword. Depending on what you have in this SAA, consider sending it to Old South Restoration. Take a look at John Carroll's web site and see what you think. It will take 12 months or so to get the job done, but it will then be worth keeping.

 

First, I don't think you did nearly as bad as you think; provided everything is in good working order. If it is, it should make a fun shooter.

And that Colt has a story that is similar to many others. The SAA was the 1911 of its day... It was a working revolver, that people re-worked, changed barrels, cylinders, grip frames, etc... Guys monkeyed with their SAA's just like guys monkey with their Glocks today. The refinish job is what I refer to as "period correct" for the '50's and '60's. Back then it was a tool, not a collector's item. So when it needed a refinish, they got it done as cheaply as possible. The local gunsmith was usually mechanically competent, but pretty lousy at polishing guns by today's standards.

So that's the likely story of your gun...It has been a hard duty working gun for most of its life; nothing wrong with that. Shoot it and enjoy it.

 

First, I don't think you did nearly as bad as you think; provided everything is in good working order. If it is, it should make a fun shooter.

And that Colt has a story that is similar to many others. The SAA was the 1911 of its day... It was a working revolver, that people re-worked, changed barrels, cylinders, grip frames, etc... Guys monkeyed with their SAA's just like guys monkey with their Glocks today. The refinish job is what I refer to as "period correct" for the '50's and '60's. Back then it was a tool, not a collector's item. So when it needed a refinish, they got it done as cheaply as possible. The local gunsmith was usually mechanically competent, but pretty lousy at polishing guns by today's standards.

So that's the likely story of your gun...It has been a hard duty working gun for most of its life; nothing wrong with that. Shoot it and enjoy it.

That leads to my next question... is it a blackpowder ? And can i shoot modern reloads or factory ammo out of it? Just thought you might have and idea?

 

Seems it was a fair ad, buy it now was a little high but they usually are higher than what the owner would sell the gun for in a face to face. Enjoy it, hang on to it until you find a better one that you want ten sell it as a shooter.
Dennis

 

I see 183X0X which would date it to 1899.

 

Thank you

 

You didn't get scammed. He posted honest pictures and gave an honest description of a shooter quality colt that has been refinished and had a trigger job.

He made no claims of collectability at all. It's just an old shooter grade SAA and sadly enough 1000 bucks is about what one of those goes for in shooter condition these days.

 

You weren't scammed - the sad fact is that you talked yourself into it all on your own without benefit of research.

An actual 'restoration' will cost more than the gun, and leaves you with a more attractive version of just another reblued, used revolver, and a BP piece won't be as robust a shooter than one would hope.

There are always references towards the fact that it's an 'expensive lesson learned', but that really doesn't have to be the case, what with today's internet accessibility and the 'good' photos available if one does his due diligence.

Find a couple of high-dollar gun shows - the kind that attract quality dealers - and just 'look' - you can ask questions, but don't do it at the beginning of the Saturday show, as they'll be too busy.

Be respectful, ask serious questions - you're drawing on his hard-earned knowledge and reputation, so let the dealer know that you're serious, and be thankful for his replies and his offer to show you things to look for.

This is a serious game, and it's played by 'Big Boy's Rules', so arm yourself accordingly, and read about your new interests - a copy of John Kopec's 'A Study of the Colt Single Action Army' is a great start, and any copy of Fjestad's 'Blue Book' has a good color insert on grading finishes.

Good Hunting.

Six

Out

 

You didn't get taken at that price. If I had seen that, I would probably have bought it. $1000 for a shooter is a good price.

 

thank you for your response. I am looking forward to shooting it

 

Any recommendations on where to get stocks(grips) for it? Which ones would be correct? Not gun broker 😂

 

Again, not sure why this is a "gunbroker" issue. There are plenty of good stocks for sale on there. You do understand the issue here right? (if there even is one).

Regarding grips for your gun, they almost always need to be fitted to SAAs. You aren't likely to just buy a set an they fit properly. There are two-piece and one piece setups. You can send in the gripframe and various makers will fit them perfectly to your frame, or you can buy a set and fit them yourself and either epoxy them as a 1 piece, or set them up as a 2 piece.

Check your grip frame for the cross pin. I'm assuming you have it, which means your gun is set up for 2 piece grips since the ones on there are two-piece.

 

It sounds mostly like you got yourself sorted out. I'm not in the SAA game, but by all accounts, it seems like you got a fair deal for a decent entry level gun. You can learn the ins and outs of the Single Action Army without risking harm to what one might call a 'collector grade' example.

It is disheartening to buy something and have it be less than what you were expecting, but as others have said, there is a charm to a well worn gun. These revolvers were working guns and tools, and people used them for that very purpose. Along with that, when things needed repaired or maintained, they did it themselves or went to the local shop. People weren't spending large sums of money to ship their gun to world famous restoration companies. They just did what needed to be done to keep it going, and as you can see, here it is today in your hands, still good to be shot.

While it's not a SAA, I shared a story recently about my first gun that I bought, which was a Detective Special. It was pretty worn out and had seen better days, but I did the same thing you did. I jumped and bought it at a 'fair' going rate without doing any research ahead. I was still happy with it as a shooter, but I'm sure I thought I could have done better.

What I just recently found out, as I requested an archives letter from Colt (which shows original specs & shipping details), was that my 'beater' revolver was shipped to the Philadelphia Police Department, where it was issued as a service weapon. While that's likely very different than the history of your gun, it taught me that my gun was a working gun too. Someone used it for a job, and it served its purpose. They weren't worried with how worn it was or what it looked like, which gave me a newfound appreciation for what I thought was a gun past its prime. Yours is the same way. You might not know who owned it before you had it, but do know that's it's packed full of history and life, especially if it is from 1899. That gun has experienced a lot.