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Lot 406: Colt U.S. Contract Artillery SAA Un-Numbered Replacement Frame (Gun Porn)
Auction Zip ^ | December 2, 2016 | Rock Island Arsenal auction list

Posted on 11/27/2016 9:52:44 AM PST by Swordmaker

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38 years ago I brokered a collection of miscellaneous guns owned by a long-time grocer from Winnemucca, Nevada. Among the guns in his eclectic collection was a pristine condition black powder Colt Single Action .45 Long Colt with a 7 ½ barrel in a double military style holster rig. What was unique about this Colt was that it had full military inspectors marks from the Springfield Armory but completely lacked any serial numbers or assembly numbers from the Colt factory! I noted the "K" roll stamped inside the frame on the loading gate area, which reference books I had indicated a manufacture date of 1890-1891. This was quite a quandary about the provenance of this gun. I had first suspected a "lunchbox" gun — a gun made from stolen parts, smuggled out of the Colt factory piece-by-piece in a dishonest employee's lunchbox — but the totally authentic military inspectors marks proved that to be not possible.

I had to do quite a bit of research which took several months of digging and letters to the Colt Historian, reading scholarly books on the history of the Colt Single Action, and the Springfield Armory, etc, before I finally discovered the story behind this un-serial numbered Colt SAA.

What I learned was that in 1891 Colt shipped six (6) un-serial numbered replacement part frames to the Springfield Armory of the US Army. The Armory records showed that FOUR of the un-serialized frames were used with mixed serial numbered parts to make up guns destroyed in service and were marked by the armorer and duly recorded in inventory.

However, after much discussion, the remaining two un-serial numbered frames were made up into a matched pair of revolvers with brand new replacement parts, all with no serial numbers. A special military holster rig was made with both a left and right holster for these guns. This matched set-up of unserialized guns was then presented to the commander of the Springfield Armory.

The story the Grocer told me about he came into possession of the single gun and holster rig was that a elderly rancher friend of his in the Winnemucca area had BOTH un-serial numbered guns in the holster rig hanging in his barn on a nail on a post. He'd admired them and the childless rancher had told him that he could have them when he died. When he did die, his widow called the grocer and told him her husband had told her about the promised bequest and he could come and get them. . . so he stopped by to get them out of the barn. When he went out to the barn, the holster rig was there, but only one gun was still in it. The other gun never turned up.

The gun being sold in this auction is one of the four un-serial numbered frames made up of mismatched parts, not the other missing gun. . . but it is the first one of the six I've seen to ever come to light! The barrel on this gun was apparently replaced in 1903 with a 5 ½" barrel.

Somewhere out there, likely in central or eastern Nevada, the other completely un-serial numbered military marked Colt SAA 7 ½" barrel .45 Long Colt revolver, the one stolen from the rancher's double holster rig before the Grocer was able to claim his inheritance.

Here is the link for the auction of the unserial numbered Military Colt SAA.

The rest of the three days of gun auctions (Great Gun Porn) which include such guns as engraved Henry Rifles, engraved 1866 Winchesters, cased percussion Colts, and many other fine collectors' pieces are here:

Rock Island Premiere Firearms Auction Day 1 (995 Lots)
by Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Premiere Firearms Auction Day 2 (847 Lots)
by Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Premiere Firearms Auction Day 3 (880 Lots)
by Rock Island Auction Company

ENJOY!

1 posted on 11/27/2016 9:52:44 AM PST by Swordmaker
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To: Swordmaker

What’s your guess on the going price for the SAA in the article?


2 posted on 11/27/2016 10:02:48 AM PST by IronJack
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To: Swordmaker; mylife; Joe Brower; MaxMax; Randy Larsen; waterhill; Envisioning; AZ .44 MAG; umgud; ...
Gun Porn Ping

RKBA Ping List

This list is for all things pertaining to the 2nd Amendment.

Please FReepmail me to be added to or deleted from this ping list.

3 posted on 11/27/2016 10:07:41 AM PST by PROCON (Onto the Great American Rebirth!)
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To: IronJack
"What’s your guess on the going price for the SAA in the article?"


4 posted on 11/27/2016 10:27:32 AM PST by PLMerite (Lord, let me die fighting lions. Amen.)
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To: PROCON

I’m not interested if it doesn’t have matching serial numbers. /s


5 posted on 11/27/2016 10:31:01 AM PST by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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Among the other guns in the Winnemucca grocer's eclection collection were:

There were around 15 to 20 very desirable collectors' guns in the "collection," but, the bulk of the over 200 guns was made up of guns customers of his grocery store had given him over 45 years in business in payment for bills they couldn't pay, and represented everything from old rusty junkers found in the desert to some nice modern stuff. As he was retiring and moving to Florida, he wanted them all gone. He also wanted to proceeds in cash.

To facilitate these requirements, I required the buyer who wanted the "good" collectors' guns had to buy the entire "collection." I sent out a detailed list and description of each firearm in the collection to shops and dealers around the country and opened it to bids. Best bid by a specific date got the whole kit and kaboodle. The winning buyer offered $140,000.

Have you ever seen $140,000 in cash? In twenties through hundreds? My wife and I drove it across Nevada to deliver it.

6 posted on 11/27/2016 10:32:55 AM PST by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users continue...)
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To: PLMerite

That creep would offer $400 and throw in a big song and dance about how he has to pay employees, it won’t sell for years, and a long list of other lies.


7 posted on 11/27/2016 10:34:28 AM PST by ozzymandus
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To: PROCON

Regarding the “Shall not be infringed.” part of that, I would imagine owning a firearm without a serial number has most likely been made illegal or requires massive amounts of governmental oversight and fees to possess.


8 posted on 11/27/2016 10:35:44 AM PST by Delta 21 (Patiently waiting for the jack booted kick at my door.)
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To: ozzymandus

Your opinion,not mine


9 posted on 11/27/2016 10:37:00 AM PST by advertising guy (I cannot wait for the book KILLING O'REILLY)
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To: IronJack
What’s your guess on the going price for the SAA in the article?

It has problems. It is not in the condition it was when the armory finished the build. The barrel was replaced in 1903. . . also apparently by the Army as it has military inspector's marks from that era. . . as it is now a 5½" barrel, but 1891 standard barrel would have been 7½". That change detracts from the value somewhat. The wear and tear also has a big effect. The condition is not that good.

The auction estimate is $6000 to $8000.

10 posted on 11/27/2016 10:37:22 AM PST by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users continue...)
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To: PLMerite

Let me call a buddy who knows everything about everything... hang out for a while; buy something.


11 posted on 11/27/2016 10:41:41 AM PST by Carriage Hill ( Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading.)
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To: ozzymandus
That creep would offer $400 and throw in a big song and dance about how he has to pay employees, it won’t sell for years, and a long list of other lies.

No, they aren't "lies." You obviously have not been in business paying overhead and expenses, have you?

From what I have seen, and from having been a gun buyer, especially antique firearms, and as an appraiser, he offers fair pricing on what he buys.

Frankly, it is fairly normal for an antique gun dealer, or any used firearm dealer, to offer just 50% of the expected retail price he will get when a firearm eventually sells. This is a pretty much industry standard offer level.

Anyone who offers more will unlikely stay in business long. They won't be able to keep the doors open.

When I was running a gun shop, the markup on new guns purchased from a wholesaler was only 18%. You had to make your money on the used gun, ammunition, and accessory sales.

12 posted on 11/27/2016 10:44:50 AM PST by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users continue...)
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To: Swordmaker

I always thought that using a Colt Revolver was mythology in western movies. Interesting to read that the butt has numerous dents from using it as a hammer.

The article reminds me of story told long ago about a teen friend’s beater car. Everything was worn out and had to be replaced. His Dad advised, “Son, you’d best overhaul that car by jacking up the radiator cap and driving a new one underneath.”


13 posted on 11/27/2016 11:09:44 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Swordmaker

Old Colts go for Crazy money.
Specific pieces that are “traceable”
like this one,,,
10 to 12 grand,
My estimate.


14 posted on 11/27/2016 11:11:18 AM PST by Big Red Badger (UNSCANABLE in an IDIOCRACY!)
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To: Delta 21

If you make it for personal use, you dont need a s/n.


15 posted on 11/27/2016 11:31:50 AM PST by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Delta 21

Firearms made before 1968 did not have to have serial numbers and are very legal to own.

There are millions of them out there and noted in another reply home made ones to not have to be serialized.


16 posted on 11/27/2016 11:50:49 AM PST by riverrunner
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To: Big Red Badger

I bet this one goes for a lot more then the numbers you mentioned.


17 posted on 11/27/2016 11:51:42 AM PST by riverrunner
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To: riverrunner

To true,,
Probably twice My
“current Bid”


18 posted on 11/27/2016 12:06:17 PM PST by Big Red Badger (UNSCANABLE in an IDIOCRACY!)
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To: Big Red Badger
Old Colts go for Crazy money.

In all my years of collecting, buying, selling and just wanting...the SAA is the only gun that I've ever bought for pure speculative investment.

I've paid more than I should have, but then, the person that I sold to paid more than they should have.

The SAA is the exception to the rule, when it comes to buying and selling based on the Blue Book.

I have seen 40-60% guns go for 90% prices, simply based on a dubious "provenance", as in personally carried by Duck-Bill Hickok or Custer or some other silly shit that no one can realistically prove.

19 posted on 11/27/2016 12:09:58 PM PST by OldSmaj ( Is it just me, or does the sun seem to have a brighter shine to it, as of 11/09/16?)
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To: OldSmaj
The SAA is the exception to the rule, when it comes to buying and selling based on the Blue Book.

I have seen 40-60% guns go for 90% prices, simply based on a dubious "provenance", as in personally carried by Duck-Bill Hickok or Custer or some other silly shit that no one can realistically prove.

I think you'll find that Winchester lever actions also can engender that exception also. I once went to a general antique where they had ONE gun included. It was a Winchester 1873 rifle. It had only one thing unusual about it in that it had a single-set trigger. At the time a realistic market price for that rifle was approximately $275 as other versions with normal triggers were selling for $225 or so.

When that Rifle came up the auctioneer said "We have a rifle, it says 'Winchester' on it."

Suddenly, there was a rustle of whispers going around the audience of bidders. . . "Winchester?" . . . "Winchester!" "Winchester!" "Did he say 'Winchester'?" "What did he say?" "What was that, was it 'Winchester'?"

Everyone there had had just as much of an opportunity to look at that gun as everyone else and could have even handled it.

Every lot up to that point had an opening bid of $5. . . but the auctioneer asked for an opening bid of $500. . . and there were paddles up all over the audience! When the final sales gavel came down, the final bid price, not counting 10% buyer's premium and sales tax was $2250, more than 8 times the real value of the rifle!

20 posted on 11/27/2016 12:48:20 PM PST by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users continue...)
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