USFA U.S. Firearms USA Pre-War Single Action Army SAA .45 Colt Revolver
SOLD FOR: $2027
LSB#: 210607RH49
Make: U.S. Firearms (USFA)
Model: “Pre-War”, Reproduction Single Action Army
Serial Number: 5183
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 2003
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “45 COLT”, the top is marked “+ U.S. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A. +”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871 / ” JULY.2-72. / “ JAN.19-75.”, the bottom of the frame in front of the trigger guard, the bottom of the trigger guard and the butt are each marked with the serial number “5183”. The rear of the frame, the rear face of the loading gate and the left of each portion of the grip frame have assembly number “388”. The assembly number is also hand-written twice on the inside of each grip panel, the inside of the left panel also has “5183” hand-written. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “183”. The barrel, under the ejector housing, is marked “183”.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece “Tru Ivory” panels. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. The action has minor operational wear, mostly in the lead-in grooves on the cylinder but also a little on the side faces of the hammer. Otherwise, there is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Cylinder lockup produces no play on each chamber. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder has a removable bushing. The firing pin is conical and there is no window in the loading gate at the hinge, indicative of US-made parts. 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 in a one-piece hinged-lid cardboard USFA box with black exterior, green interior, serial-matching label, a blue cloth USFA pouch and an assortment of paperwork including manual. The box has minor storage wear, in Fine condition.
Our Assessment: Colt’s Model 1873, the Single Action Army, is the “gun that won the west”, perhaps the most iconic handgun of all time. For nearly 150 years, the gun has been produced in a variety of configurations, finishes and calibers. This revolver is the absolute closest to a Colt you can get without a pony on the side. This USFA is a “Pre-War” model, having an Armory Blue and Old Armory Bone case color finish with a 7 1/2″ barrel and “Tru Ivory” grips. Chambered for the classic .45 Colt cartridge, it is in Excellent condition, appearing to have spent more time in its serial-matching USFA box than out. This gorgeous revolver will make a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!