Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4.75″ .38-40 WCF Revolver, 1890 Antique

SOLD FOR: $3900.75

LSB#: 220329LT001

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 134620

Year of Manufacture: 1890 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .38-40 Winchester (W.C.F.)

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 “38 W.C.F.”, the bottom is marked “41M” over the cylinder pin head. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / ” JULY 2. -72. / ” JAN 19. -75.”. The bottom of the frame and the bottom of the trigger guard at the front are each marked “134620”. The butt of the grip frame is marked “134 / 620”. The rear of the loading gate has assembly number “1640”. The hammer slot is marked “0”.

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The blade has been filed-down some. 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 and American Eagle at the bottom of each panel. The grips have moderate handling wear with some light nicks and scratches. There are some areas which have discolored, gone to a slightly brown hue, mostly on the bottom. The left panel has a small loss at the top edge and each panel has losses on the interior face at the bolster around the grip screw. The checkering shows wear, but is visible. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 10% of its metal finish. Finish remains in protected areas, most notable on the barrel along the edges of the ejector housing and at the frame and at the corners of the trigger guard. Other surfaces are mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches as well as some surface erosion, mostly on the left of the barrel and on the front face of the cylinder. The cylinder pin head is tool marked and there are tool marks around the head. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good-Very 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 trigger is crisp. The cylinder is designed with a removable bushing. 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: Colt’s Single Action Army is, perhaps more than any other, an iconic American pistol. It was the U.S. issue sidearm for the last two decades of the 19th century, used by pioneers, outlaws and lawmen across the expanding nation, and captivated audiences on the silver screen and television (and still does, today). Produced for nearly a century and a half, they are still being made, today! This example is a 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1890. The revolver is chambered for the classic .38-40 Winchester cartridge, which would make it a nice companion for a lever action carbine chambered for the same round. It is in Good-Very Good condition as Antique, retaining some of its original finish, a fair bore, and with strong mechanics. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this late 19th Century example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!

Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4.75" .38-40 WCF Revolver, 1890 Antique
Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4.75″ .38-40 WCF Revolver, 1890 Antique