Colt SAA Investment-What is the best barrel length for collectors?

[Virginia Gentleman]

I am going to get a Colt SAA that is finished by Doug Turnbull as sanctioned by Colt.  He gets them in the white and re-fits and finishes them to look like mid-1st generation Colts with the correct roll marks.  This gun will be an investment and not a shooter.  From a collector's standpoint, what is the best barrel length to get as the most desireable.  I am doing this because it looks like Colt may not be in business that long, my sources tell me.  If this is true, Colts will skyrocket in collector value and I want to get in on the action. 

[deucedaddyj]

Wow! After more than 150 years Colt's finally going under? That'll be a sad day in American history.

[Forty Rod]

One source says they're tooling up to make new guns, another say they're bringing out the old line of civilian stuff, this one says they're about to fold.

I don't care anymore.  Colt hasn't really been in the "gun business" since the '80s as far as I'm concerned.

Want a Colt investment?  Find a top notch first generation with the proper provenance (see, you can learn something by watching Antiques Roadshow) and put it away in a safe place.

[Virginia Gentleman]

Real 1 generations are out of the question, they are too expensive for the condition level I would like.  Colt as a company isn't going to make it long term, the UAW and greedy owners and managers are driving it into the ground.  The Turnbull Colts seem like the best option for me, what is the best barrel length to get from a collectors standpoint?

[Big John Denny]

VG, the standard collector gun for years has been the 7 1/2" barrel length. However, if you had a 1st generation with a custom length barrel put on by Colt, requires a Colt letter to verify of course, it would bring more because of its rareity.

[Virginia Gentleman]

From what I have read the 7 1/2" barrel is one of the least desirable because it is not a popular barrel length.  Which then is better the 4 3/4 or 5 1/2 for collecting?  The barrel is not a first generation as the threads would not be the same size as a 3rd generation, rather Turnbull puts the older 1st generation roll marks on it with the traditional font and simple caliber markings of the period.  A letter stating it is a Turnbull gun from Colt would indeed make it more valueable.

[Major 2]

Real 1 generations are out of the question, they are too expensive for the condition level I would like.  Colt as a company isn't going to make it long term, the UAW and greedy owners and managers are driving it into the ground.  The Turnbull Colts seem like the best option for me, what is the best barrel length to get from a collectors standpoint?

If what you say is true , (may well be) one of two things is likely to happen...

The Feds will step in with a bail out (like Chrysler Corp) so the Germans or Japanese can later buy it out.

or it will be bought by Uberti/Bereta

[Virginia Gentleman]

Turnbull is doing this as a regular offering WITH the sanction of COLT, this NOT buy a gun and send it up to him.  This I am told makes the piece more rare and more authentic compared to the other 3rd generations.  Turnbull gets them in the white from Colt with a letter.  I am buying this gun as an investment, not for something I like which is US Fire Arms over Colt anyday.  This is a strictly speculation purchase, so I'll ask again FROM A COLLECTOR"S STANDPOINT, which is more desireable, a 4 3/4" or 5 1/2" barrel? BTW the Colt custom shop in house, does not offer period correct Carbonia blue, 1st generation roll marks, 1st generation knurled hammers or beveled trigger guards.  If they ever do, it goes up to Turnbull anyway.

[Virginia Gentleman]

If what you say is true , (may well be) one of two things is likely to happen...

The Feds will step in with a bail out (like Chrysler Corp) so the Germans or Japanese can later buy it out.

or it will be bought by Uberti/Bereta

I seriously doubt the Feds will give them a dime, they are too small to matter unlike Chrysler.  I think someone will buy the name and hopefully reorganize it and take it out of Connecticut or it will just die, like Packard, Studebaker and Dusenberg.

[Big Hext]

Howdy,

All of your information appears to be anecdotal.  Until you have something that approaches an "official" position or statement, I'd refrain from investing, unless you invest in a gun that currently enjoys collector status and value, like a proper first generation Colt.

Turnbull does nice work, but it does not enhance the collector value, and likely will not in the future.
Adios,