SAA Clone Identification

[Snowman.45]

Hi all.  This is my first post here as I just found the site and joined up.  I recently picked up an old SAA clone with what appears to be a mis-matched barrel and frame.  The frame and all other parts except the barrel and cylinder have the SN S77861.  The cylinder center pin is retained with a single screw, rather than the spring loaded cross-pin.  The barrel is marked "Great Western Arms" and .45 Colt.  The cylinder, however, is a .44-40 and is marked on ".44".  The barrel had been staked into the frame (I assume to tighten it in the frame) around both sides of the forcing cone.  The stocks are one-piece and are pretty beat up. 

In trying to look at as many of the SAA clone models as I can on the web, I found several that look like they could pass as matches, including some Uberti and Pietta models.  I also need the ejector rod, spring, housing and screw.  The housing length measures out at 4 inches to the screw bushing in the barrel.

Due to the staking of the barrel, I really doubt that I will ever try to shoot this pistol once I've matched the caliber of the barrel and cylinder.  It will be a "wall-hanger" once I can find all the parts and rust blue it.  Does anyone have any ideas for matching the cylinder and barrel.  I doubt the barrel can be easily removed from the frame without danger of springing the frame or worse.  So, it will have to remain a .45 Colt.  I'd like to match a cylinder in .45 Colt that is consistent with the receiver, as well as mount the ejector housing, spring and rod.  By the way, the action is solid and locks up tight, leading me to believe the cylinder and receiver belong together.  Thanks for the assistance.

[Major 2]

The early Great Western's ( 1950's - 60's  had a transfer bar )  though a Colt style Hammer with a firing pin was an option.

Reaming the 44/40 cylinder is your option , .430 to .454  or there about.

It may well be parts bash, perhaps as an old prop ( 5 in 1 Blanks )

It may well be a Pietta ...they are imported by EMF and coined Great Western II 

Not having seen it, I be sorely interested in seeing it, checking it out & restored 

[Snowman.45]

Thanks for the response, Major 2.  It well could be a parts gun.  I think, based on overall condition of the parts, that it is not something I'd feel was safe to shoot if it was functional.  It will probably serve best as a non-functioning wall-hanger.  I checked to see if the SN was listed in the Colt site, but nothing matches.  I thought it might be a prop gun when I got it, which was with the intent of making it part of a non-functioning display I have been working on.  Further examination tend to make me believe that the receiver is fairly soft, based on the staking around the barrel.

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[sack peterson]

A frame with a screw held base pin (black powder style) is not a Great Western frame, and indeed, the serial number does not match the GW range.  The barrel is obviously a replacement.  It is unsuitable for shooting with a staked replacement barrel, and probably unsuitable for restoration too.

A serial of 77861 (drop the S) matches the Colt range for say 1880, and would properly have a black powder base pin latch.

At that point you might understand the 'S', as an overstrike, perhaps standing for 'Stembridge', which was a Hollywood prop shop.... which adheres nicely to your observation that it looks like it was cobbled together as a prop gun.  Was probably re cylindered to 44-40 to shoot 5 in blanks.

If all this is true, which seems possible, the sixgun is worth some money at that point, almost as much as a decent gen 1 colt, and you just leave it the way it is.

[sack peterson]

Also to say...

If the S is bigger than the numeric font of the serial numbers, and on top or on the side, etc, its not actually part of the serial number, and 77861 is your actual serial number, making it a Colt that was made into a prop gun.

Still probably worth low 4 figures.

Don't start doing any work to it.  If you like it as a wallhanger, do that but leave it the way it is.  If you don't like it, just sell it.

[Snowman.45]

Sack Peterson, thanks for the response.  The S in the serial is larger and is over the top of the numbers.  I think that it could be a blank prop gun, as you described.  I'll do nothing to it until I get more information.

[Coal Creek Griff]

That sounds kind of interesting either way.  I'd love to see some pictures...

CC Griff

[Snowman.45]

Its completely disassembled for cleaning and inspection, right now.  I'll get some photos when I get it back together.  Thanks for the interest.

[Hoof Hearted]

Nice to see you here Dave!

[Cholla Hill Tirador]

 Waiting for pictures as well.