Anybody know SAA values?

straightshooter

straightshooter

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It looks like I'm going to inherit a nice Colt .45 SAA. :dancingbanana: :dancingbanana: I've always appreciated these guns but, frankly, the bottom end of the value spectrum is where I live. This one's at the other end! I'm trying to get a feel for what it might be worth.

It's a one-of-a-kind (serial number makes that obvious), blued with ivory grips, D (full coverage) engraved, and tastefully gold inlaid collector. New and unturned condition, of course. It's too amazing for words to describe, so I include a couple of hastily captured pictures. Not the best shots, but you can see what I'm trying to describe. Any idea what she's worth??

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SS
 
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Oops, I've got a better pic than that - posted the wrong one. Hang tuff and I'll fix......

.......(2 mins. later) There we go!

SS
 
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Do you know what generation it is? I'm assuming second. At that, and unturned, I'd estimate her at $8500 Canadian. Though finding the right buyer for this gun could take some time. I absolutely suggest, if you're having it passed down, don't sell. It didn't cost you a thing, and it's an amazing heirloom, plus difficult to sell anyhow.
 
Nice Colt SAA...

Very nice indeed. But unfortunately only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And will only retain that value if it's left pristine & unfired. Though it will always have lots of "ew & ah" factor attached to it everytime you show it off. Not in the same league, but I much prefer Colt SAA's that I can shoot...

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No doubt you're right - it has to remain new and unturned to retain it's maximum value. And it shall. No real hardship there, since I have 4 other revolvers (including a Uberti SAA in .357 and a Colt .38) that I shoot every chance I get.

Lucky SOB indeed! Every time i take it out, it feels more like watching it on TV or a vivid dream or something. It still hasn't sunk in that it's mine. It may be decades before I can take her for granted.

Ardent - It's a 3rd generation, almost for certain. I'll be sending off to Colt for a letter from their historical department, so I can try and find out who it was built for. The serial number is clearly unique, so I imagine there's a story that goes with this piece. The other thing I find curious about it is, the Colt site describes the options you can order from their custom shop. It says there that the Colt factory master engravers sign their work. It also shows the 3 engraving styles you can order.

This gun isn't signed by the engraver (which could mean it was done by an apprentice factory engraver, or it could mean it's even more unique). Why the unlnown style, I can't even guess.

The crappy pictures I took don't do it justice. The gold inlaid eagle, in particular, is incredible in it's detail. You can see every feather and the eye and the rest of the head in fine detail. I can't imagine the work that must've gone into it.

I don't dispute the estimates that you guys are making since, as you said, it can only be worth what someone is willing to pay. But at those prices, I'll take another piece of your advice and keep it, since it has much more value than that to me. Besides, I have to experience the joy of uncovering the provenance of this gun. It could be even more rare and unique than anyone realizes. (Where's a "cross your fingers" emocon when you need one!)

SS
 
Well, typically the engraver's signature increases value, and I don't want to sound like I know too much about SAA's, as I merely dabble in them, but I do have enough experience collecting them to be quite confident in my estimate. If you check gunbroker.com there's some engraved and gold inlayed unturned SAA's for $5000US, though many with slightly less coverage than yours, and the gold inlay is equivalent except there are no eagles, truly this revolver's centerpieces, that's the reason I bump it to $8500. It would be nice if there was an engraver's mark, there may well be, perhaps you haven't spotted it? The Colt letter will certainly be a worthy investment. The most valuable SAA I'm aware of is in the hands of a family member, he's been trying to sell for 15 years and his price is reasonable. What they're worth absolutely has to do with the buyer. I simply wouldn't get too hopeful for it being worth more as a 3rd gen "D" and inlayed .45, it's a beautiful gun, and not many guns command prices in the range I've speculated, though I do think $8500 would be a very appropriate value for it. Actual sale value could be slightly less, and insurance appraisal value likely more.

Gorgeous gun sir!
 
Assuming this is a factory engraving, it would sell for anywhere in the $5,000-10,000...in the U.S. Whether you'd able to get the same kind of money for it in this country is questionable. If you really wanted to sell this gun and get top dollar for it, you might want to consider exporting it to the U.S.

If the engraving is not factory, then it hardly adds any premium at all.
 
straightshooter said:
It looks like I'm going to inherit a nice Colt .45 SAA. :dancingbanana: :dancingbanana: I've always appreciated these guns but, frankly, the bottom end of the value spectrum is where I live. This one's at the other end! I'm trying to get a feel for what it might be.

Straightshooter,

Cap325 is right, if the engraving was done by Colt you're lucky.:dancingbanana:
If I were you I would phone Kathy at Colt's customer service and give her the serial number, she will tell you right away when it was made and maybe if it was engraved when it left the Custom Shop.

OK
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