Collector Colt SAA

[Wambo]

This is a bit out of the blue but my father-in-law passed away a few years back and he had a Colt SAA 45 in his possession, serial # 2012.  My mother-in-law is looking at selling it (probably out of my price range for sure), and I was asked what it might go for.  Any ideas?  It looked to be in pretty good shape. I'm looking for a ballpark and if she will trust me , I may be able to post a picture later.

Thanks for any help,

Bob

[Lloyd Smale]

i dont have a clue but if its a first generation gun youd have to sell your truck to pay for it.

[Dan Chamberlain]

That's a low number!  Puts it in the first year or two of manufacture, say about 1873/74!  In good shape...well, there isn't a collector that wouldn't love to own it!  You might consider time payments if she would!

Dan

[Wambo]

Hope this comes through. 7.5" barrel, and both the cylinder and frame serial numbers match.

[Dan Chamberlain]

Do you see any stamped cartouches on the grips?  Any martial stamps or inspector's marks?
It has little finish left.  That would lower it's price a bit, but externally, and with the low number, it's a lovely find!

Dan

[Wambo]

Nothing on the wood I recall, but I didn't look on the butt.  Here are a couple of pics with other markings.

[Ladobe]

The very early serial number adds more value to collectors, but overall condition and if unaltered will still effect what a collector would pay for it.   Since it could be worth well over the $2000 range to a collector (probably less to a shooter), getting it appraised might be money well spent if she plans to sell it.

[Wambo]

Thanks guys for the info.  She is considering keeping it for the grandchild, my niece, as an heirloom. I doubt I could justify spending the money but it definitely is a piece of history.  Even though it would be a good investment, I doubt my wife would consider it.

Thanks again.

Bob

[Graybeard]

$1500 to $2000 are not uncommon selling prices for fairly recent Colt guns. If that serial number really means it's from first or second year and in the condition it appears to be you really MUST get it professional appraised and insured.

It very well maybe worth closer to $20,000 to $50,000 as opposed to $2000. Those really older ones sell at insane prices these days.

[Blackhawk44]

I'm with GB.  If it hasn't been reblued or altered, I'd get it professionally appraised then put it in a safe deposit box until the time comes.  That will cover your first born's first year or two of college.

[Wambo]

It hasn't been altered as far as I can tell.  You can look at the pictures-It is original.  Do you know of a good person that could give a fair appraisal?  My mother-in-law apparently has had a guy appraise it for $5000 recently (now I find this out), and I think that is low.

[jimster]

John Kopec used to do appraisals,  I dealt with him some years back.  You would be getting a good one from him.
We used UPS back then to ship guns around between us, but I'm sure he would know just how to set this up if he still does this.

Found this link

Jim



http://www.coltparts.com/johnkopec.html

[WILDCATT]

that is a "US" military $ 20 grand is more like it.JIM SIPICA IS one of the top appraisers.
Kull and Supica arms bid.com
got knocked off web,but got back.he has collumn in shotgun news.

[Graybeard]

I would NOT EVEN CONSIDER shipping that gun for an appraisal. Hand carry or take good photos and deal with them that way. I feel certain that a knowledgeable person in the field could use some good photos and the SN to give you a ball park figure. To get a more accurate appraisal it will need to be in their hands but you definitely don't want to ship it as you have no clue how much to insure it for and if it's not been appraised you'd likely not get enough if it gets lost regardless of how much you insure for.

[Wambo]

Thanks guys.  I will contact those sources to see what they say. You have given me great advice and I appreciated it. 

Thanks Bill and don't worry-I wouldn't ship it to anyone without money in my hand! 

Bob

[ghostsix]

I am having Doug Turnbull Restorations make me a brace of 2nd. Gen. Colts in ,44 Spec. with 4 4/3" bbls. They will be full engraved, including the flutes and hammer in heavy silver plate. My brand will be on the loading gates.
I will shoot them.