What is my Colt Single Action Army worth?
The revolver that carries more myth than any other American gun, and one where the generation decides almost everything. First, second and third generation guns are three separate markets wearing the same silhouette.
Made 1873–present.
No page can price your gun, and one that offers to is guessing. What this does is show you which one you have — because that is where the money is.
How to tell which one you have
- Find the serial number on the frame and have the generation established before anything else.
- Read the caliber marking on the barrel. Some chamberings are common and some are genuinely scarce.
- Measure the barrel length, which is a significant part of the value.
- Look for a factory letter, box or any paperwork, which on these is worth real money.
The versions that change the number
| Version | What it means for value |
|---|---|
| First generation 1873–1941 | Black powder and early smokeless frames. The collectible end by a wide margin, and where documentation matters most. |
| Second generation 1956–1974 | Post-war production after Colt restarted the line. A distinct and well-followed market. |
| Third generation 1976–present | Later production with manufacturing changes. Good revolvers, priced below the earlier generations. |
| Replicas and clones various | Italian-made copies are common and are not Colts. The maker is stamped on them. |
What actually drives the price
- The generation, before anything else.
- Original finish, which refinishing destroys permanently.
- Barrel length and chambering.
- A factory letter confirming configuration, which is worth obtaining on a good one.
And the two that apply to every gun on this site: do not clean it, and keep the box and papers. Removing original finish is permanent, and on the right gun the packaging is a real part of the total.
"It is an old cowboy revolver, they are all worth a fortune"
Some are worth a very great deal and some are Italian replicas worth a few hundred dollars, and across a room they look the same. The maker marking and the serial number settle it in a minute, which is worth doing before anybody quotes a number either way.
How do I tell a real Colt from a replica?
Colt's name and Hartford address are stamped on the barrel, and the rampant colt trademark appears on the frame. Italian makers stamp their own name and proof marks, usually on the barrel or frame flat. If the markings are worn, photograph them rather than scrubbing them.
Getting a number for yours
Send photographs and we will tell you what we will pay for it. We buy nationwide — a single firearm ships to us prepaid and insured, and for a collection we come to you. More on what separates one Colt from another.