Late Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ .45 Revolver & Box 1940 C&R

Sold For: $7,404.97

LSB#: 220527KS002

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 357438

Year of Manufacture: 1940 (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 side is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT SEPT 19 1871. / JULY 2, 72. JAN. 19. 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The bottom of the frame and the right side of each portion of the grip frame are marked “357438”. The rear of the loading gate and the right-rear of the frame under the grip each have assembly number “207”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “F”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “34”, found again on the left of the frontstrap and the right of the backstrap. There is an odd marking on the rear face of the cylinder which appears to be “38”. The inside of each grip panel has “357438”.

Barrel Length: 5 1/2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square 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 faint handling wear with only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined with good detail in the colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is light erosion at the muzzle-end.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout with a little bit of muting in the left of the recoil shield. There are a few scattered faint marks, but no notable wear or damage. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine-Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder has 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: This revolver comes with a one-piece black cardboard hinge-lid Colt box with the serial number hand-written on the bottom of the box.

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! The 1st Generation Single Action Army was produced from 1873 to 1941, though sales did fall off toward the end of the 1st Generation. While more than 344,000 of the revolvers were made from 1873 to 1922, in the last 18 years of production there were only about 13,000 made. This is one of the very last of the 1st Generation, made in 1940 and with a serial number in the last 1,000 made before the United States entered WWII.

This example is in quite good condition and comes with its original box, a great example of the late 1st Generation. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this very high condition, very late example should be no exception, especially with its original box. Please see our photos and good luck!

Late Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2" .45 Revolver & Box 1940 C&R
Late Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ .45 Revolver & Box 1940 C&R