Case Colors on SAA Colts

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M. M. Wright
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Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by M. M. Wright »

I've seen quite a lot of discussion about the quality of Case Colors on Colt SAA frames so I dragged out 3 examples from through the years. First is a Frontier Six Shooter from 1894, then a 2nd gen 45 from 1971 and last a 3rd gen 44 Special from 1980. Oldest and newest I own or have access to.
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?1[/img]This is the oldest: 1894
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2nd gen from 1971 It's actually an NRA Commemorative.
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3rd gen from 1980
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OldWin
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by OldWin »

Very nice!
I need to get a closer look at that Frontier Six Shooter.
I will PM my address and you can send it to me! :D
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by marlinman93 »

It's always tough to judge case colors, even from the same maker, and the same era. Since the colors are so random, they are like wood grain, and no two exactly the same. But there's nothing I love more than case colors, and high grade wood on guns!
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Jay Bird »

Marlinman said it right....very hard to judge....they all come out different. About the only differences I can tell is the colors of the very early Colts from 1870's to 1880's or so appear like the civil war Colts...more mottled and not as vibrant. I've seen these Colts that were like new and were exposed to little wear/light. Then you have the matter of even slight use as it wears off the lacquer and the vividly bright colors fade real easy.

I'd have to say if you could put up brand new Colts that were boxed in perfect humidity from the 1890's to now they would be similar. Light and age also figure into the way they look.

I don't own any single actions that were made before 1900 and the several early ones made in '02-17 I have only have traces here and there except for a 44 Russian and another 45 Colt made in 17. I did take apart the Colt Slip Gun that Harold Croft built and had Elmer Keith shoot back in '28 and the color on the insides of the frame under the trigger guard are vibrant. Many 3rd gens I have are all pretty much the same with some showing wear and loss of the vibrant colors.

Here's the one from 1917 and is possibly unfired and well stored.---6 .Old Win hasn't seen this one yet or he'd have it in his buffalo coat.

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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Griff »

My two 3rd gens are about like your 1894 version. But, then they've seen a LOT of hard use.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by OldWin »

My 1st gen is not worn much but is quite faded. Much more than my 45 I let Six borrow in the above pic.😁
I have a late 2nd gen that saw little use and is much brighter, but still not as vivid as the new ones.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by M. M. Wright »

6, you'll have to keep that '17 SAA away from Olwin 'cause I think that buffalo coat is quite abrasive and will wear that finish quickly. That old one of mine doesn't show much color any more. Guess it's seen too much light from displaying it at the Wanamacher a couple of times a year. Always put my "I don't wanna sell it " price on it. Very nice SAA. Can I have it?
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by JimT »

Ist Generation Colt restored by Cosby Custom Guns
IMG_0036.JPG
saa7.JPG
USFA .44 Special
CIMG4741.JPG
The Colt stays pretty much in the safe these days so case colors are still bright. The USFA gets quite a bit of use. It's holding up well but I know that won't last. And it's OK.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Jay Bird »

M. M. Wright wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:11 am 6, you'll have to keep that '17 SAA away from Olwin 'cause I think that buffalo coat is quite abrasive and will wear that finish quickly. That old one of mine doesn't show much color any more. Guess it's seen too much light from displaying it at the Wanamacher a couple of times a year. Always put my "I don't wanna sell it " price on it. Very nice SAA. Can I have it?
Veeeeerrrrrryyy few pre WW ONE guns of any denomination show much of anything.....the further you go back the harder it is to find .....my bud once had an Ethan Allen pepperbox made in the 1850's that looked like it was just made....all cased and engraved....going back 25-30 years ago...could have had it for IIRC about a g....

I like that...."My dont want to sell it price". My bud, who comes across extremely hard to get Nazi stuff....like $15,000 knives given personally by Adm. Doenitz and other high ranking Nazis also does this crazy pricing.......forgot how many times people have said, "OK, I'll take it."....helps me out too as when he's in a good mood he throws me all kinds of bones.

You'd be surprised at the people out there who have suitcases full of cash buying up Americana.....

Don't have to worry about Jay......he had the pockets of the buffalo coat fleece lined and coats the fleece with EEZOX.

Jim T has been holding out on us....lots of nice stuff there Jim.......which one can I have?----6
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Pitchy »

Nice pistola`s Ron and everyone else.
Not a deep color in my 44 SPL.
Bought it new third gen and spent most it`s life in the safe.

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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by OldWin »

All nice looking Colts everyone! :D

Where's my coat.........? :D
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Jay Bird »

OldWin wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2019 1:31 pm All nice looking Colts everyone! :D

Where's my coat.........? :D
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by claybob86 »

JimT wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2019 10:43 am Ist Generation Colt restored by Cosby Custom Guns


The Colt stays pretty much in the safe these days so case colors are still bright. The USFA gets quite a bit of use. It's holding up well but I know that won't last. And it's OK.
Jim, what's the grip material on the Colt?

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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by piller »

Not much to add. I do like color case hardened steel. Faded and worn or not, it is still a great look for an old revolver.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by JimT »

claybob86 wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2019 12:35 am Jim, what's the grip material on the Colt?
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by claybob86 »

They look great! Never seen grips like that before. Thanks for the photos! :)
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Nate Kiowa Jones »

Sixgun Sr wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2019 12:00 am Marlinman said it right....very hard to judge....they all come out different. About the only differences I can tell is the colors of the very early Colts from 1870's to 1880's or so appear like the civil war Colts...more mottled and not as vibrant. I've seen these Colts that were like new and were exposed to little wear/light. Then you have the matter of even slight use as it wears off the lacquer and the vividly bright colors fade real easy.

I'd have to say if you could put up brand new Colts that were boxed in perfect humidity from the 1890's to now they would be similar. Light and age also figure into the way they look.

I don't own any single actions that were made before 1900 and the several early ones made in '02-17 I have only have traces here and there except for a 44 Russian and another 45 Colt made in 17. I did take apart the Colt Slip Gun that Harold Croft built and had Elmer Keith shoot back in '28 and the color on the insides of the frame under the trigger guard are vibrant. Many 3rd gens I have are all pretty much the same with some showing wear and loss of the vibrant colors.

Here's the one from 1917 and is possibly unfired and well stored.---6 .Old Win hasn't seen this one yet or he'd have it in his buffalo coat.

Image
I had read somewhere the early color -cased guns (maybe colt, maybe Winchester) had only a wax preservative over the CC. I can see where that would go away quickly leaving a flat or matte finish, ( typical of the old ones) then with time and exposure you end up with just grey metal.
Most now days do use a lacquer finish. Which should be more durable than just wax. It does impart a glossier look too. I do these TTN /colt 1878 SXS's with lacquer. Mike hunter does the CC for me.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by JimT »

I kinda like the old gray ones too ... the ones that have survived and are still working.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Old Savage »

Bought a 7 1/2" .44 Spl in a fancy wooden box. When I fired it the shells would not eject. The loading gate area was too tight. I used a round ceramic stick to open it up a bit. That took all the CCH off leaving it bare silver color. Applying cold blue brought the CCH back out so you would not know the difference. This was a third gen gun.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Jay Bird »

Nate...your probably right on the earlier color case hardened guns being waxed. One time many year ago I saw a brand spanking new 1876 deluxe Winchester....new, no Turnbull redo....in fact I don't think Turnbull was in business at the time.....an old timer had the gun with full documentation from the original owner, a doctor. He had pictures of the gun with the doctor on a horse carriage,,,,,then years later when he was old....then the next owner, a relative..on up to the fifties. They just took pictures of the gun and never shot it...a 45-75....anyway, this gun was extremely bright like,it was lacquered but was wax as that's what the old timer told me...everyone used paste wax on their guns.

I owner a 1936 Marlin that was like new, with no evidence of it being fired and it was lacquered as is a model 39 I now have, both made before the war...don't really know the cut off time but it really made no sense back in the day to lacquer guns as they were tools. The single action Colt pictured above does not appear to be lacquered.---6

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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Jay Bird »

Old Savage wrote: Sun Dec 29, 2019 4:52 pm Bought a 7 1/2" .44 Spl in a fancy wooden box. When I fired it the shells would not eject. The loading gate area was too tight. I used a round ceramic stick to open it up a bit. That took all the CCH off leaving it bare silver color. Applying cold blue brought the CCH back out so you would not know the difference. This was a third gen gun.
Fred..that blows my mind. I learn something new everyday...thanks for that.........no! I ain't gonna test it. :D --6
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by M. M. Wright »

OS, Several years ago I bought a 4 3/4 inch full blue 44-40 from a lady who had bought it from the custom shop as a gift for her husband. I don't believe he ever fired it because when I did the empties wouldn't eject without banging the ejector against the edge of the unloading table. I sent it back to Colt and they replaced the cylinder and I believe the bolt. No Charge. The chambers were just a horrible mess.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

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Six, when I did that with the 7 1/2" Colt I decided I couldn't just have it the way it was. All mine are to shoot. I finally traded it off to get an 11-87 when I got the trap shooting bug. I told my friend Ron Carmichael who owned the gun shop what I had done with it, asked if he could see any difference He said no. I also bought a Pietta 1860 from him. Decided I did not like the bright colors. I put cold blue on that and guess what ... it just turned it blue.

Now you see on this carbon steel pan that heating it very hot on a gas stove brought out some colors. It has also been seasoned with soybean oil.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Old Savage »

Interestingly the inside of that same pan is a more consistent color. Bluing and CCH are a surface phenomenon.. I have read this effect called triiron ferrous oxide. Got the idea to do it this way watching an Asian guy season a new wok on youtube.
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Jay Bird »

Old Savage...well..... WOK you too!....

On a serious note there just ain't enough years in a man's life to learn everything he wants to learn.......

Maybe I can borrow your wok and cook up a few old Colts to see if it makes the colors brighter.....what do you suggest...soy bean oil or olive oil?---6
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

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Soy bean oil 😋
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by piller »

Soy promotes estrogens. Female hormones. No wonder it is best for colors. :lol:
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Jay Bird »

piller wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:32 pm Soy promotes estrogens. Female hormones. No wonder it is best for colors. :lol:
Hey Piller...good one! Old Savage must use lots of soy oil.....probably uses it as body lotion....and maybe that's his secret to attracting all those California women. I've never seen a guy like him...they flock to him naturally.

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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Old Savage »

Well Piller there is a little butter in the mix, what does that promote? 😎
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by piller »

Just got home. O.S., butter comes from the mammary glands. Why, it attracts big breasted females. Haven't you realized that there are pretty and busty women around you? Of course you have. Why else would you have so many pictures of them to put on here? :lol:
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Re: Case Colors on SAA Colts

Post by Old Savage »

Well Piller, that is what we have out here.
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