1911 Colt Single-Action Revolver in .44 Special?

Question: I was given a pistol from an old friend, 90 years old, and am having trouble finding a value for either resale or insurance purposes. I’ve included some pictures and I hope you can help me. It is a Colt Single Action Army in .44 Special. The serial number is located in 3 places (316XXX ). Patent dates are Sept. 19, 1871, July 2, 1872, and Jan. 19, 1875.

-T.L. of Louisville, Kentucky

Answer: The serial numbers on your Colt SAA indicate it was manufactured in 1911. As Colt didn’t chamber the SAA for .44 S&W Special until 1913, it appears this revolver has had a rebarrelling and new cylinder or rechambering. Unfortunately, someone in the past also decided to jazz it up a bit with a ramp front sight and adjustable rear, not to mention an Allen screw in the toe of the gripstrap. The grips, too, look suspicious. Because so many things have been done to it, and the fact it has virtually no finish, I’d value it in the $1,500 to $1,750 range.

-Garry James