Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA .32-20 Winchester WCF Revolver 1926 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2225

LSB#: 210608MW84

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 348880

Year of Manufacture: 1926 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (32 WCF)

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 is marked “32 W.C.F.”. 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 “348880”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “80”, the front face is marked “U”. The inside of the right grip panel has “7406” hand-scribed. The rear of the loading gate and the right-rear of the frame under the grip are each marked “740”.

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 checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable at the rear of the right panel. The checkering and colts are generally well defined. There is a tiny loss at the top edge of the right panel. Otherwise, there are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is finish wear along the left of the barrel and the outside of the ejector housing. The strongest case color on the frame is in the pinched portion forward of the cylinder, the hammer slot, the rear sight groove and the loading port with other areas mostly muted or showing minor oxidation. The grip areas have mostly gone to a light patina with some strong blue at the top of the backstrap and the front of the trigger guard. The butt has a cluster of dings. There are several scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The cylinder has turn-wear. There is some scattered minor oxidation. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The cylinder pin head is tool marked. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: During our function check, the cylinder over-rotated a couple of times when operated gently. When operated more crisply, the action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play on all six chambers. The cylinder has a removable bushing. The trigger is 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: None.

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 late 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1926. It is in about Good condition, retaining about 65% of its original finish, having a fairly nice bore and needing just a little work on its timing. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this inter-war example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!

Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA .32-20 Winchester WCF Revolver 1926 C&R
Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA .32-20 Winchester WCF Revolver 1926 C&R