Colt Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ Black Powder Frame .45 LC Single Action Revolver, MFD 1883 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,125
LSB#: 200115LL07
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 100890
Year of Manufacture: 1883 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup), shipped February, 1884
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. ?????????? A.”, the bottom-right of the barrel, under the ejector rod assembly, is marked “0890”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT 19. 1871. / ” JULY, 2 -72 / ” JAN, 19. -75″. The left of the trigger guard is marked “45 CAL”. The bottom of the frame and the bottom of the trigger guard are each marked “100890”, the butt of the backstrap is marked “100 / 890”. The rear of the frame in the hammer slot is marked “H”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “L” and “1”, the outside is marked “0890”. The rear face of the loading gate has assembly number “8750”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch at the rear of a groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth ivory (Colt Archive letter indicates original) with a small silver plate toward the bottom of the left panel. Each grip has cracked across above the grip screw and been repaired. The grips have scattered light wear, scratches, and discoloration from age. Overall, the grips are in about Fair condition as repaired Antique.
Type of Finish: The revolver was blued with a case colored frame.
Finish Originality: No finish remains.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is worn. There is some light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 0% of its metal finish. The metal surfaces have worn to white with scattered discoloration from oxidation. There is scattered minor surface erosion, light nicks, scratches and scuffs. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The barrel markings are worn, the frame and cylinder markings are mostly clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play side-to-side and barely perceptible end-shake on all six chambers. The cylinder’s bushing is seized in the cylinder. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter detailing this revolver’s original shipping configuration, recipient and shipping date. The revolver originally shipped with ivory grips on February 6, 1884 ot Hibbard, Spencer, Barlett & Company in Chicago, IL. There were three other guns of the same type in the shipment.
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army is perhaps the quintessential old west handgun, produced for more than a century, serving the U.S. Army as its sidearm from 1873 into the first world war and captivating audiences on the silver screen. This example is a 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1883 with the earlier “black powder”-style frame with the cylinder pin retained by a screw rather than a sprung transverse pin. The revolver certainly shows its age, though it still has quite strong mechanics and a nice for such an old revolver, and all of the serialized parts match. In its original configuration and with a Colt Archives letter, this will make a great addition to any Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!