Second Generation Colt Buntline 45lc (update post 22)

I think the grips are originally from a first gen. I would guess the whole package would be valued between $2,000.00-3,500.00.......................................M*

Armed with feedback here, I picked up the Buntline this morning.

In the end, the only real question was "cash or card"?

Now, the question is how much should I clean it up? Should I ren wax it, or leave it as is and let the condition speak for itself?

Great score....

You got a very good deal didn't think it would go that low. If its clean put a coat or two of Ren Wax on it. If it were mine I would shoot it first to see if every thing works right then clean and wax. Wax that Ivory too, It will really pop! have fun!!....................................M*

I live in a military town. Gunshops here are all striker fired handguns and tactical stuff. This came from an estate that was sold to one of the shops here. The shop owner priced the items from the estate to move and wasn't too worried about wringing every dollar out of it. Most of the good stuff is gone at this point.

Do you think there is any way to whiten the ivory or should I just let them age?

rwadley1 said:

Do you think there is any way to whiten the ivory or should I just let them age?

Click to expand...

Great score! DO NOT attempt to whiten the ivory. The color from aging/handling adds character and value.

rwadley1 said:

I live in a military town. Gunshops here are all striker fired handguns and tactical stuff. This came from an estate that was sold to one of the shops here. The shop owner priced the items from the estate to move and wasn't too worried about wringing every dollar out of it. Most of the good stuff is gone at this point.

Do you think there is any way to whiten the ivory or should I just let them age?

Click to expand...

Hard to tell without seeing them in hand, are they as yellow as the picture shows do they look natural or do they look like someone put something on them, see what the Ren Wax does for them

They're not as yellow as they photograph. I dont mind how they look. You can tell they have some age to them.

After you wax them take another pic in different light and post the pic, maybe we can see what they actually look like, I still think there first gen Ivory.......................................M*

I think this photo better captures the color. It's more brown than yellow.

yup!!..I like em just the way they are. maybe 2or3 more coats of Ren Wax is all. The way I see it you paid for the grips and got the gun for nothing!!!.................................M*

I haven't waxed them yet. Just better lighting.

Got your PM tonite,,was away at a rare gunshow this weekend..

Good pics of the grips,,great you were able to remove them and get a good look. They do look older and maybe from a 1st gen as mentioned.

Agree with the rest of the group that they look to be ivory. I can see some color streaks in the outside surfaces as well in the last pic of grips. too.
I just had doubts when looking at the first bunch of pics.

The 3 holes behind the medallions seen on the inside was a common Colt method of attachment of the medallions on their Ivory grips.
You can find that on other known Colt provided ivory grip sets.
..Not that someone else making a set can't just copy the 3 hole look. But it's another positive note to add to the grips and gun.

I don't really see anything else in the pics.
The BB# is there.
It's not meant to match the ser#. Only a 2nd Generation added feature to separate original 1stgen Buntline bbls from 2ndgen bbls.

The BB#'g started at BB100.
I do not know if the BB number is supposed to be sequence with the Buntines produced ( yours would be the Buntline #904 produced in the 2nd Generation SAA if so.

I don't know how many Buntlines were mfg'rd the first yr if this is in fact a 1st yr gun (not doubting the fact).
I can check a book I have. I think the # may be in there.
It should show if the BB# would be within the total number Buntlines produced at that point in production. Or if the bbl (BB#) might show it to be from another, later production gun.
I think the bbl is a standard factory assembly bbl from the address roll markings though and not one separetely purchased from the Colt Repair & Service Dept and used to replace a shorter orig bbl on the gun to 'make' a Buntline.

I'll see what I can find..


Added:

Ser# of op's gun is 18551SA

My book says it's a 1958 mfg gun.
It shows 185xx as the beginning ser# for standard SAA production in 1958


Buntlines were serial numbered in right along with the standard SAA production bbl lengths.

However the first 2nd Gen 'Buntline' was not produced till 1957
It was #12207SA.
(2nd Gen SAA production started in '56)

In 1957 a total of 595 'Buntline Special SAA' were mfg
in 1958,,a total of 1,644 Buntline Specials were mfg.
(The most Buntlines made of any year)

The Starting BB# was BB100 in 1957 (according to the resource(s)
IF the BB#'s were sequencial with production, then BB904 (the OP's gun) would be 804th Buntline off the production line (yes??)

600 in 1957 (approx as ser#'s & prod are never exact)
Then an extra 200 into the yr 1958 when the OP's gun was made.
For the 80X Buntline produced. BB#804

Though the guns ser# places it extremely close to the beginning ser# they give for the start of 1958 production.
I would conclude it was the orig bbl.
JMO of course.
A long way to get here, but I thought it was an important to try and place the bbl as being orig to the gun as it is not ser#'d.
The BB# may be a way. The Buntline bbl is the defining feature of the gun afterall.

Another thing I found is that the Batch/Assembly number ( 3 digits) is supposed to be stamped on the front face of the cylinder.
(Not the ser#) on this early of a 2nd Generation.
Batch/Assembly number is also found on the loading gate inside surface. Just open the gate and it is visible.

The story on the BB buntline barrels is at one time Colt decided to make some sort of special project with buntlines after the barrels were made up Colt decided to scrap the project and had all these BB marked barrels. So Colt being Colt an never throws anything away they decided to put them on standard production guns all this was told to me by Don Wilkerson him self over the phone before he passed away........................................................M*

I have a Colt Buntline made in 1965 2 gen BB#3676 hope this helps..........................................M*

I appreciate your willingness to type all of that out. After I posted it may be first year buntline, I learned it was actually from '58.

The assemblers markings are on the loading gate and the front of the cylinder and they match. To me, it seems everything is as it should be.

It seems the ivory grips are a great addition. I wish I could confirm the initials inscribed in them were from a known Colt grip maker, but that is unlikely.

Down the road, I may look for a set of period correct black grips that would have came on it. For now, I happy with the find and enjoying learning about it.

Thanks!

Yes I posted that in post # 19....Also I think maybe those Ivory grips are first gen special order from COLT..........have you waxed em yet!!.........................................M*

No. I have to order some ren wax. I'm out and can't find any in town.

Try Amazon or E-bay.............................M*