Colt SAA 1 st gen question

[Caprock Louis]

Gentlemen

Have a question.  I just purchased a nice 1917 nickel 32-20 SAA and am a bit interested in any values differences in different calibers.  Is a 44-40 a better investement than say a 32-20 or a 38-40?  Do not mean to be dumb just curious as I am learning quite a bit

Thanks for help 
Caprock Louis
Lost deep in the heart of Texas

[Shotgun Franklin]

Knowing nothing else about your gun, the general answer is that Colt made less of some calibers than others and if a buyer is looking for a 1st Gen gun in that caliber it makes it worth more. However, the popular calibers are still the ones that were popular when the gun was made. If I were still looking for a collecter type Colt I want one with a little history.

[Recon]

There are some pretty well informed people over here: http://www.coltforum.com/forums/

They will want pictures and details in order to provide an informed opinion.

[St. George]

'In general' - and with all things being equal, insofar as finish and originality being concerned - a cartridge with an 'Old West' association, like .45 Colt, .44-40, .41 Colt or .38-40 will bring more money and interest.

The .32-20 - while a neat little round - is more associated with 'hunting' than with 'derring-do', and used to be purchased just for the frame, backstrap and triggerguard, so they could be turned into larger calibers, because they were getting more and more difficult to locate, while spare barrels and cylinders were common.

Go to Barnes and Noble's and review a copy of 'The Blue Book', by Fjestad - you'll find the general  information you're looking for, there.

Otherwise, there are a number of excellent, but expensive books - here are but two:

'A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver' - by Graham, Kopec and Moore

'The Colt Peacemaker's Encyclopedia' - by Cochran

Sometimes, these can be ordered via your local Public Library, via an Inter-Library Loan and they're less trouble than going online to a specialized collecting forum where opinions abound.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Yellowhouse Sam]

Simply put, the 32wcf, unless there are special features and extras, bring far less than the other calibers.  45 and 44wcf reign supreme in the collectors arena.  Just a general observation from the pricing guides, auctions, many gunshows, and personal experience.

[Caprock Louis]

I am still learning

I bought for 2 bills a 1916 32-20 nickel that is totally original with 90+% original nickel extremely nice action crisp and solid and has outstanding very very old stag grips which I understand is not original. I do not know that.  Not sure if colt used stag in 1916.  They certainly seem as old as the pistol.  May have been burned but just thought it was a nice piece.  If bad decision it is lesson however; bought it for long term.

Caprock Louis
lost deep in the heart of Texas

[St. George]

You weren't burned - not by a long shot.

Get yourself some .32-20 ammunition, and go enjoy your Colt.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!