A very rare Colt SAA

[seancass]

Great for you and great for History! I can only hope more history like this finds it's way out of attics and drawers!
...and maybe one of them could find its way to me!

[Markbo]

Congratulations on what will probably be the find of a lifetime.

[jdpress]

Swamp Rat:

What a great story! This is one of the best reads ever for a vintage Colt SAA on this, or any other forum!

Thank you for all the detailed supporting information and great photographs!

Congratulations,

J.D. Press

[taz]

I also notice the hammer replacement I have been collecting Colts for over 40 years and I do believe this Colt has popped up a few times before and Colt keeps shooting it down. I do hope you have better luck with lettering.

[chispy]

Aug 7, 2014 6:46:05 GMT -5 seancass said:

Great for you and great for History! I can only hope more history like this finds it's way out of attics and drawers!
...and maybe one of them could find its way to me!

[chispy]

Aug 11, 2014 8:30:49 GMT -5 chispy said:

Aug 7, 2014 6:46:05 GMT -5 seancass said:

Gran para usted y grande para la historia! Sólo puedo esperar más historia como ésta encuentra su manera de salir de los áticos y los cajones!
... y tal vez uno de ellos podría encontrar su camino hacia mí!

Hi I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina, I have this Colt Bisley 38spl, number 25xxxx

I would like to have some information and price

thanks Chispy

[swamprat]

Chispy,

The Bisley model was never made in 38 Special caliber. Your gun's barrel and cylinder have been replaced with a 1950's era barrel & cylinder. It was a common practice in the 1950-60 period to change Colt Single Actions to 38 Special, as it was a very popular caliber back then. The Colt replacement barrels of that period can be identified by the address being stamped on the right side of the barrel instead of the normal position at the top of the barrel.

[swamprat]

Update-it's real!

I sent it to Dave Lanara, the man that Ron Graham uses for his restorations, and has probably closely examined more SAA's than Graham or Kopec has! He replaced the hammer with a period correct one. Here is his letter of "authentication":






"I want to thank Hugh for entrusting his valuable Colt to me for a few months. Noted collectors examined it and became quite excited, some assuming lt was my property and would be for sale. I had to disappoint them all, fortunately, but being the temporary caretaker of a classic , one of a kind, early SA made my summer complete. Many hours were spent researching known published sources, but the most telling information came from examining the gun with a 12 power loupe in bright sunlight.

Thanks again Hugh, it's a great Colt and a great story you can cherish forever."

Dave"

[awp101]

Wow wow wow WOW! Good for you!

[Robster]

WOW!!! simply WOW!!!!

Awesome for you!!!!

[txwildcatter]

That's absolutely amazing! Great score congratulations!

[texagun]

May 5, 2014 0:04:20 GMT -5 maxcactus said:

....I'm sure you meant no harm, so please don't misunderstand my comments here. Others are free to correct me if I'm wrong, but in general, I think gentlemanly decorum dictates the price was negotiated and agreed up between buyer and seller, not buyer, seller and Single Actions forum (or Internet). Also, the OP gave no indication that the piece in question was a purchase, but was instead an "acquisition" - it may have well been willed to him by family or a friend. My thinking is our generous OP would have shared such details had he been willing. I'm not sure if we should put him on the spot, here.

Max,
EXCELLENT POST. That should be posted on every gun forum out there.
Thank you for putting it in such a gentlemanly manner.



And what a great find by swamprat. My congratulation Sir, on the find of a lifetime.

[COR]

amen Texagun....

Too many folks believe value and worth Is measured in dollars and cents.

Thanks to the OP for sharing such a beautiful pony!

[cubrock]

I'm very happy for you, Swamprat!

[Frank V]

That is beautiful, congratulations.
Thanks for sharing with us.