Colt 45 info

Question
My dad has a colt 45 single action serial number 296982.  He wants to know the year it was made and approx. value.
Thanks,
Teresa

Answer
Hello Teresa.
  Your father's Colt is the Model 1873 Single Action Army 1st Generation. It was manufactured in 1907-08, according to the serial number 296982. These are very collectable, and prices range into the 10's of thousands for some models. Many, though, have had major changes made to them over the years. These changes can include barrel replacements, frame or cylinder damages repaired, original grips changed, etc. These changes devalue the revolver somewhat, but it still can be valued at well over $1,000, with most working guns bringing upwards of $2,000-$3,000. These prices are actually set by supply and demand.
  The only way to find out if changes have been made, and where it was shipped to, is by obtaining a letter from Colt Manufacturing. The price for such information can run from $50.00 to $200.00 for a complete letter. In some cases, an official Colt letter can add thousands to the value of your gun. However, it may not enhance the value much at all. That will be your choice to make. Personally, I would spend the money, if for nothing but to satisfy my own curiosity. You can always recoup the cost by adding it to the final sale price, if you do decide to sell. This is the web site you can start with. Phone numbers and addresses are listed here. www.coltsmfg.com. This is another phone number you might try. 800-962-2658 ext 1343. Do Not get in a hurry with this revolver and settle for only one appraisal. Case in point; A friend had a Colt Bisley in .38-40. He offered it to me for $500, since this was what the pawn shop had offered. He was in need of some instant cash, so I gave him the $500 and promised to share the profits with him. I sent the serial number and photos to Colt and the letter they returned was very interesting. The gun had been sold to a hardware store in Wanette, Oklahoma, in 1911, with a short barrel and returned by a purchaser in 1933 to have the barrel replaced with a longer one. It had been re-blued and was sent back with a new set of grips. The name of the owner was not a familiar one, nor was he listed in any Internet search. What was of value, however, was that the letter showed the changes were made by the Colt factory. This raised the value to nearly two thousand, and I sold it to a private collector for $2,600.00. You never saw such a happy man as I counted out his share of the profit! I hope I have made my point.
  There are 'pawn shop' appraisers and then there are certified appraisers. I hope you choose the latter.
  Thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage