Colt SAA .45 1890

AJ · Aug 3, 2021

I posted about this on a Colt Forum, but thought there might be some here that would enjoy the following pictures. A friend was given this and it is not for sale.

More pictures. Pretty nice basement find!

Last set of pictures. No it is not mine and the owner will not sell it.

6518John · Aug 3, 2021

Is it for sale? (Just kidding!).

Beautiful old colt.

Breakaway500 · Aug 3, 2021

That is a wowza Colt...what a survivor!

gregintenn · Aug 3, 2021

What a prize!!!

lestert357 · Aug 3, 2021

THAT is a nice gift! Don’t need a Kopec letter on that one, although you might want to check the barrel serial number under the ejector housing and also check the cylinder serial number to make sure it matches - the last 4 digits of the serial number should be on both. I do note that the trigger is slightly forward even though the hammer appears to be all the way down (trigger should be nearly all the way back to the guard) so the safety notch on the hammer may be somewhat worn - not unusual on a 130 year old SAA. Anyway, thanks for posting that gorgeous RAC Cavalry!

s&wchad · Aug 3, 2021

Wow, it’s rare to see an original Cavalry SAA’s in that condition. Fabulous gun and quite valuable! Definitely a centerpiece in just about any collection.

For those who don’t know, the “RAC” mark is the approval stamp of US Inspector Renaldo A. Carr.

Edit to add: I hope the new owner realizes that it’s worth about as much as a nice luxury car! If I owned it, I wouldn’t dream of shooting it.

Heinz · Aug 3, 2021

Am I correct that it is a Script RAC stamp on the grips also?

AJ · Aug 3, 2021

s&wchad said:
Wow, it’s rare to see an original Cavalry SAA’s in that condition. Fabulous gun and quite valuable! Definitely a centerpiece in just about any collection.

For those who don’t know, the “RAC” mark is the approval stamp of US Inspector Renaldo A. Carr.

Edit to add: I hope the new owner realizes that it’s worth about as much as a nice luxury car! If I owned it, I wouldn’t dream of shooting it.

He understands how much it is worth and not to shoot it. Told him if he wants to shoot a .45 Colt that I have a couple.

I too, have a revolver stamped "RAC". It is a Colt Model 1909 U.S. Army in .45 Colt. Shoots well!

Heinz said:
Am I correct that it is a Script RAC stamp on the grips also?

To be honest I was so busy taking pictures and talking to the owner that I do not remember.

lestert357 · Aug 3, 2021

Heinz said:
Am I correct that it is a Script RAC stamp on the grips also?

Yes, the RAC cartouche on the right side grip. Rinaldo A. Carr was the Ordnance sub-inspector for all Colt U. S. Cavalry revolvers manufactured in 1890 and 1891.

The SEB cartouche on the left side grip under the 1890 date on this revolver is for Captain Stanhope E. Blunt who was the Ordnance Inspector and received all U. S. Cavalry revolvers for the U. S. Ordnance Department during the years 1890 and 1891.

mauser9 · Aug 3, 2021

Thanks for showing AJ. A real pleasure to see. Dealer at a gun show let me hold one he had for sale. Had the same walnut grip and had the 7 1/2 inch barrel I believe. Said it was a cavalry model. Surprised at the condition. Wish I knew more but I read Colt switched to a rubber grip around 1884? Again thanks for sharing.

lestert357 · Aug 3, 2021

mauser9 said:
Wish I knew more but I read Colt switched to a rubber grip around 1884?

The first two piece hard rubber stocks were fitted to regular civilian production revolvers in late 1881 or early 1882. However the U. S. Cavalry Colt SAA’s were delivered with walnut stocks on all government contracts through the last deliveries in 1891. Even the Artillery’s (barrels cut to 5 1/2” and most refinished) that Colt delivered on government contracts as late as 1903 were shipped with walnut stocks.

AJ · Aug 3, 2021

Thanks for all the kind words on the SAA. The gentleman that owns it will probably get a Colt Letter for it. He does not intend to sell it. The revolver will go to his sons, then it will be their problem.

I was honored to have been able to handle it and to photograph it. Pretty neat piece!

Johnnu2 · Aug 3, 2021

JUST WOW............ you gotta wonder where that's been and what it's seen

THANKS,

J.

SS336 · Aug 3, 2021

That is one cool SSA! Very nice. Are you going to get a letter? Some interesting history for sure.
My son was given a real nice one in .32 WCF a few years ago. We have shot it and it is quite accurate. Not as old as yours. Sure wish they could tell their stories, don’t you?

sawmill buffet price

mauser9 · Aug 3, 2021

lestert357 said:
The first two piece hard rubber stocks were fitted to regular civilian production revolvers in late 1881 or early 1882. However the U. S. Cavalry Colt SAA’s were delivered with walnut stocks on all government contracts through the last deliveries in 1891. Even the Artillery’s (barrels cut to 5 1/2” and most refinished) that Colt delivered on government contracts as late as 1903 were shipped with walnut stocks.

Thanks for that info lestert! Got to get a decent book on the SAA and the different generations of the Colt. Much to learn as always.

CptCurl · Aug 3, 2021

One very nice piece. Thanks for sharing it.

Curl

gregintenn · Aug 4, 2021

Do you have an idea of what that thing is actually worth? I certainly hope so, and hope your friend does as well. It should be insured and locked in a vault.

AJ · Aug 4, 2021

gregintenn said:
Do you have an idea of what that thing is actually worth? I certainly hope so, and hope your friend does as well. It should be insured and locked in a vault.

Yes, we have an idea how much it is worth. Have posted this on the Colt Forum also. Their guess is at least $8000, and possibly more. I am not sure of the finish, whether or not, if it is 50-60% or more. If it is then add about $10,000 to that. It will not be sold.

SS336 · Aug 4, 2021

Who says how much finish it has? It looks awfully good for it’s age to me.
I can see some case hardening on the frame, seems to be quite a bit. The blueing looks good too.
Always wondered who grades these old guns. It would be pretty subjective, seems to me.
Something that rare and valuable should be appraised for insurance purposes at the very least.

mauser9 · Aug 4, 2021

AJ said:
Yes, we have an idea how much it is worth. Have posted this on the Colt Forum also. Their guess is at least $8000, and possibly more. I am not sure of the finish, whether or not, it is 50-60% or more. If it is then add about $10,000 to that. It will not be sold.

Sounds about right AJ. The cavalry model I mentioned above I saw at a gunshow had a price of $7000 but that was 9-10 years ago. Sure was a thrill to just hold it!

Colt SAA .45 1890

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