Colt 45 info please (pics)

F

Fritzers

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Done hours of research trying to find out what I have, was a gift about 10 years ago but I do not know if it was new when I got it or what. All my search's and have not found out how old it is, what the value is, if it is a shooter or a collectable or what...any info will be appreciated!

Jager Model 1875 Colt 45 Dakota...
 

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Need to know if there are any markings on the bbl, frame, under grips, etc.

My guess is it was made in Germany (possibly in Suhl) between 1960-75. Value would be as a shooter and in the 150-200 range.
 
Hmmmm. I'm thinking German too, but...<scratches head>...case hardened? JP Sauer (of later Sig-Sauer fame) used to do SAs but...this isn't that. Looks a lot like a Ruger 3-screw lockwork.

Question: I assume it doesn't have a transfer bar safety, right? Does it have a setup whereby you can push the cylinder pin "further in" one click (by holding down the cylinder pin release button and shoving the cylinder pin deeper in) which provides a "safety" of sorts? If so, it's newer than 1968, when imported handguns had to have a safety of some sort. It looks like it does, which explains the red dot on the cylinder pin?

Any other markings? Looks like a damned fine gun. Stick mostly with "Cowboy loads" unless you know it's stronger than that...
 
IIRC, the Dakota line was part of Armi.( Italian) One of the better ones also.

(After a bit of checking)
Yep. One of the many Italian SAA knockoffs. (shoulda known,,Krauts can't do bluing like the Pasta People can ;))Selling price seems to be in the mid to upper $300 range for one in the condition in the picture.

hehe, a guy in Germany is selling one just like your's if your want a brace of em ;)
http://www.vr-waffen.de/Kurzwaffen/kurzwaffen.html

Looks like EMF
http://www.emf-company.com picked em up and now lists the Dakota as the New Dakota.

Far as shooter or collector, I'd say with that brass frame it's more of a wall hanger than either. Brass frames and smokless powders don't really mix all that well. If you HAVE to shoot it, IMHO, you'd be better off using black powder loads instead of even the wimpy cowboy stuff. 'course the BP could wreck havoc with that beautiful case hardened finish and bluing if you aren't careful.
 
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I have the same gun in similar condition, That I bought last summer at a gun show for $250.00. I thougt I got a decent deal and it has turned out to be a solid, pretty acurate gun. If you plan on shooting it, it will handle all of the non ruger only loads fine. If you are looking to sell it, 250-300 is the range I would try.

Enjoy
 
Jim,
Mine is not a transfer bar, the red saftey is a different system. You turn the base pin, actually has a post in it to ease turning, and the end of the base pin has an extention that prevents the hammer from going all the way forward.
Never did any dating of mine, no idea how old it is, the cylinder throats are .458, however, but it shoots well. Mine has one piece grips, also but that is the only difference I can see.

RAE,
with the brass only being in the grip frames it doesn't affect the strength of the gun as much as you would imagine, you could never stretch the brass with loads that this gun can handle.
 
Brass grip frames (only surrounding the grip panels and housing the mainspring) will last forever. The all brass framed revolvers wherein the cylinder is actually mounted in brass will be prone to stretching in the cap and ball configuration. I've owned and shot my Jaeger in .45 Colt for about 20 years and it has always been reliable. Trigger pull is heavy but crisp, and it is generally more accurate than my Vaqueros.
 
The brass grips frame is a tip-off. There were some German made SAA copies imported in 1950s and 1960s, but they usually have slightly heavier frames (you know the German engineering mindset). I think only the Italians ever used the brass grip frame.

You see a lot of these in western movies because they are cheaper than Colts. I guess they figure most people won't notice or know about the brass grip frame being wrong for a Colt.
 
Wow, you guys are good! Did a little more checking, duh it says made in Italy right on it. The group that gave it to me put on a "custom" handle, (still have the original), and "polished" the hammer and trigger. Have only shot about 24 rounds thru it but it has a feather lite trigger.

As mentioned I would not put much faith in the safety, you do push the red dot in and kind of turn and push rod thru to block hammer action...so tight I do not use it.

So it is not a Colt? Thanks all.
 
Re: brass frames.

Hmmm,,,now you've got me thinking again about buying a brass frame for my .45LC Blackhawk.:eek: Good to know BF's can hold up.
 
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