Third Generation Colt SAA

[JumpinJackFlash]

At a gun show this afternoon there was a Third Generation Colt SAA in .44-40.

The gun was clean. In fact, it was way too clean. No finish at all. It had been polished down to the shiny bare metal. No blue left, anywhere.

The guy trying to unload it said they did it to make it look old. Really. They had it priced at $875.

MY understanding is that removing any finish from an antique revolver renders it pretty worthless. We watched a TV show a while back where the same thing had happened to a cap and ball revolver and the gunsmith said the gun was worth nothing.

How about some input from you fellows who know this business?  I told the seller he had destroyed the gun.

JJF

[44 Man]

Jack, antique firearms come in two conditions; stock and collectable, or modified (refinished) and a shooter.  I'd not consider a third gen Colt as a collectable unless it was a limited edition model.  So although I'd be dissapointed that the finish was not the beautiful one that the factory puts on it, it would make a fine shooter.  Some cowboy shooters will 'age' their guns to make them look 100 years old.  Some like that, some do not.  I think that price is a bit high for one that you would likely want to refinish, but still not a bad price for a nice condition Colt (other than the finish).  I receintly bought a 2nd gen Colt that needed work for $475, I put another couple of hundred into it and now have a nice shooter Colt for a decent price.  So it's up to you if you want that gun or not, but it can make you a fun shooter Colt.  I'd recomment checking on a refinish job and then offering him what ever that would cost off of $1000 (the price of a nice, used Colt SAA).  Good luck.  44 Man

[JumpinJackFlash]

Thanks for the clarification. I often forget that some "old" firearms have other uses than collectable antiques. The best I own were bought used---model 41 Smith and Wesson, the model 70, a custom Mauser.

[JumpinJackFlash]

Hey, 44 Man!!  I checked a firearms website and they had a Third Generation with slight holster wear on one side and a small scratch for $1000. Your price was right on.