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Post by Mark Terry on May 21, 2011 21:33:17 GMT -5
I had the pleasure to handle a .44 special Colt SAA today and it may be available. Serial number is 288108 which would seem to date it to 1907.
It's not original and appears to have been reblued and probably has a 'donor' cylinder. Frame and hammer appear to have been blued.
The barrel is 71/2" and the markings are clear and crisp. Markings on the frame are not as clear. Serial numbers on the frame and front grip frame match. Grips are plastic faux stag.
I think this is a gun assembled from using a 44 Special cylinder and barrel.
Question is: What's a reasonable price?
If you bought it, what would you do with it (I was thinking 'd shoot it but I could make case for restoring it)?
Thanks
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bradw
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 24
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Post by bradw on May 21, 2011 22:57:49 GMT -5
last year I picked up similar sounding SAA in 38 spl, re-blue with good markings, 2nd gen barrel and cylinder with nice original grips. shop was asking $900 with no takers for most of the summer I offered $700 and it's now mine. I'm trying to decide what to do also, shoot or restore for fun. I think a 44 would be a little more attractive but I'm guessing no more than $1,000 but it is hard to say without seeing it.
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
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Post by cubrock on May 22, 2011 7:05:53 GMT -5
If it is in nice mechanical shape, I'd go $1000 easily on it. Might go more, depending on how it looked. Can you tell if the cylinder and barrel are 1st or 2nd Gen? Are they Colt factory parts? Those things would make a difference, too.
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Post by Mark Terry on May 22, 2011 21:21:02 GMT -5
I'll have a chance to examine it a little closer this week and I'll try to get some pictures, too.
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
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Post by cubrock on May 22, 2011 21:25:37 GMT -5
Mark,
If I bought such a critter, I'd shoot and carry it. If, for some reason, you pass on it, I'd be most appreciative for a shot at it. Best of luck! Hope you get it!
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Post by Frank V on May 24, 2011 17:29:47 GMT -5
If the price is reasonable grab it. Whatever you decide let us know. The .44 Special is a great woods bumming ctg. Personally I think a lot of people make way too much about a gun being original for a using gun. If you want a gun for a shooter & it's been altered, as long as it's well done, I'd go for it. I know people who have barreled & cylindered 1st gen. Colts & turned a wreck into a good shooter. Myself I'd love a gun such as this for a working six-gun. Frank
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
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Post by cubrock on May 24, 2011 21:38:52 GMT -5
I agree with Frank V. If someone wants a using 1st Gen SAA, then these modified guns are our best bet. I have a non-factory refinished .32-20 1st Gen that is a dynamite using gun. I wouldn't have been able to afford it had it not been refinished back in the 50 or 60s.
Keep us posted, Mark!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2011 12:34:38 GMT -5
I agree that $1000 sounds fair. Black grips or wood?
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Post by Mark Terry on May 25, 2011 21:24:55 GMT -5
It's got plastic fake stag grips much like those on Great Westerns I've seen. The fit is about what you'd expect (not good). IF the guy calls and makes a fair price, they'll be the first to go.
I haven't heard from him or the guy with the Dan Wesson pistol pack (shush -don't tell that Axe fellow). I'm trying to be a passive potential buyer. I'll probably break by the weekend....
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Post by Frank V on May 27, 2011 11:52:22 GMT -5
Mark Have you heard anything yet? Frank
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Post by Mark Terry on May 27, 2011 21:17:08 GMT -5
Frank,
I'll see the guy tomorrow.
Should be interesting. I'll let you know.
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Post by Frank V on May 28, 2011 17:25:33 GMT -5
We are interested, good luck. Frank
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Post by Mark Terry on May 28, 2011 23:01:56 GMT -5
Well, I got to look at this one much closer today.
I'm convinced it's a first generation that was converted to 44 Special. The frame and trigger guard numbers match but the backstrap is different. Both the barrel and cylinder are marked Colt items. Looking closely at the cylinder, I feel fairly certain it's not been fired since retrofitted to 44 Special. The screw heads are in very good condition which leads me to believe it was professionally done. The barrel looks newer than the frame and if I'm not mistaken, I can make out where the barrel was clamped when it was fitted to the frame (I'm assuming the barrel came blued). The frame has been blued and the blueing was polished off near the junction with the barrel.
The trigger is very hard. This also leads me to believe it was converted but not much, if any, work was done past assuring function. The functioning is remarkably tight.
All in all, I think it would work either as a shooter or a as a restoration.
I plan to pick it up Tuesday and I'll post pictures then. The price ended up at $1,300.
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Post by Frank V on May 29, 2011 15:15:43 GMT -5
Mark It sounds like a good shooter. I think if you get it it'll be a gun you really come to like. I don't think $1300 is too much for a 1st gen. even one that's been altered. If you want to restore it I can heartily recommend Eddie Janis www.peacemakerspecialists.com Eddie does a great job & won't refinish a gun that hasn't been refinished before. He's that respectful of the Colts. Frank
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Post by savit260 on May 29, 2011 17:45:58 GMT -5
I'd love to find something like that around here for reasonable money.
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