JULY 2010 Update

The Kansas City Missouri Valley Arms Collectors Show was a great success. The Colt factory’s presence was a surprise to many and Beverly Haynes, Colt Historian, was able to take a large number of orders for factory letters and answer questions. Joe Canali represented the Custom Gun Shop with a number of interesting pieces and also represented the Historical Department in his position as Archivist. Now we are all looking forward to the first of October and the All Colt Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Call me if you need information.

I appreciate those of you who have purchased Don’s last book and are enjoying his last endeavor. 2010 will find me hard at work again on the new CCA web site.

The deluxe and cased leather edition of The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873 - 1895 is complete and in house.  The cost is $395, plus $15 shipping. If the phone is not answered or the answering machine does not pick up, that means I am taking orders, so please try again.

The Missouri Valley Arms Association show is July 23, 24 & 25. Colt Firearms will be attending. Beverly Haynes, Historian, and Joe Canali, Archivist, will man Colt’s tables. Please come by our tables and say hello. This is a special show as the Colt Collectors Association 30th Anniversary Show Gun will preview there. Called “The Spirit of Oklahoma”, this is a very unique firearm. Photographs are on the CCA web site www.coltcollectors.com.

Note: we have a change from .org to .com. Welcome to a fresh, new interactive web site. The old coltcollectors.org will be taken down shortly. Please check out this fine organization. January 1, 2010 Pay Pal services came on line for new members and renewals. The updated information for the 2010 Annual All Colt Show in Tulsa, OK has started to go on line with more information almost daily. The hotel has been posted.  The Colt show sells out quicker each year as does our hotel. This is a show where you put your reservations in early.  Tables are sold on a first come - first served basis.
The collecting market is showing signs of recovery. Let’s hope our collecting market is a precursor to the broader markets.

There will be a increase on the cost to express ship firearms. Both UPS and Federal Express have significantly raised their rates. The cost for a single firearm will be $50.

Colt has issued a press release announcing a “Presentation Grade” Model 1911. It will be made on the original M1911 (0918) frame and finished in Royal Blue and nickel finishes. It will have “A” standard engraving and fitted with smooth ivory stocks. A custom walnut case will come with this gun. Suggested retail for the nickel gun is $2,378.00 and suggested retail for the Royal Blue gun is $2,278.00. Check the Colt factory web site for further details.

An additional press release concerns “Modern Masters” - a program for engraved Colt Single Action Army revolvers in .45 caliber only, nickel finish with ink and bake only, ivory stocks with medallions, and in all 3 barrel lengths (4 3/4″, 5 1/2″ and 7 1/2″). It is only offered with “B” coverage. Factory suggested retail is $6,342.00. Again check the factory’s web site for additional information. At this date, there are two Modern Masters available for sale.

The factory is producing the .44-40 caliber, black powder frame revolver with the etched panel in 4 3/4″, 5 1/2″ and 7 1/2″ barrels in blue/casehardened and nickel finishes. You can also get these etched panel revolver engraved, but expect the 1 1/2 to 2 year wait. Stocks are limited - ivory or stag. Stag stocks may soon be very limited as supply dries up. Watch for further updates on this model. Colt is exploring a new vendor for their wood stocks. Check with me on this.

The good news is that we can still order and receive custom guns. The time frame it takes is something customers must deal with. It is natural that we want our “treasures” yesterday, rather than a long wait.

The market is very strong for engraved pieces. My order for engraved revolvers on black powder frames has been completed and there are just two left. These are great pieces. Replacement time is approximately 18 months.

This would be a good time to order your special Colt Single Action Army revolver. Inventories have become depleted and there are not a lot of choices for the discerning buyer. Feel free to contact me and we can talk about your next collectible firearm. Engraved guns take 12 to 18 months to move through Colt’s system and a regular gun can take 6 to 9 months. Pearl stocks are still difficult to obtain and the Colt factory is not using pearl at this time. Even the stag stocks have become difficult to obtain.  Other stock options are buffalo horn. Wood stocks are also an option. Colt tells me they have a new vendor for wood stocks and that is good news.

Those of you interested in custom revolvers, please feel free to contact me. Colt Custom Shop revolvers are my area of expertise. The calibers available as of this date are: .45 LC, .44-40, .357 Magnum, .38-40, .38 Special, and .32-20. Colt’s in-house engravers are Steve Kamyk, George Spring, and Jan Gwinnell. Colt uses sub-contracting for other engravers.

Collecting continues to be strong. Colt’s, and particularly Colt Single Action revolvers, have proven to be a good investment.

Carol K. Wilkerson