Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4″ .45 Revolver & Letter, 1927 C&R

SOLD FOR: $6550

LSB#: 210220EW05

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 350897

Year of Manufacture: 1927 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

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. MFG. Co. / HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, the left of the barrel is marked “45 COLT”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT 19. 1871. / JULY 2, 72. JAN. 19. 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The left of the trigger guard is marked “3” and “VP” in triangle. The bottom of the frame and the right of each portion of the grip frame are each marked “350897”. The left of the frontstrap is marked “8” and “168”. The rear of the loading gate and the right-rear of the frame under the grip are each marked with assembly number “47”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “97”, the front face is marked “1 6 8” and “J”. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “0897”.

Barrel Length: 4 3/4″”

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 checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The grips have some light discoloration, most at the top-front and bottom rear. There are a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined, showing minor handling wear. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some stubborn leading just in front of the forcing cone.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at the leading edges of the barrel, ejector rod housing and cylinder. The cylinder has scattered minor turn-wear. There is infrequent minor oxidation. The frame has some muting on the bottom-left, but otherwise retains strong case color. The markings are clear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each chamber. The cylinder has a removable bushing. The trigger is a little bit heavy, but crisp. 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 which details that this revolver was shipped April 7, 1927 to Shapleigh Hardware Company in St. Louis Missouri as one of two guns of the same type in the shipment. The letter is in Excellent condition.

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 1927. It is in about Fine condition, retaining about 96% of its original finish with a great bore and strong mechanics. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection. This example will certainly take a prized place in such a collection, coming from the Roaring ’20s and with a Colt Archives letter. Please see our photos and good luck!