Late Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA .32-20 WCF Revolver, MFD 1931 C&R

SOLD FOR: $3394

LSB#: 221119TM001

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 354123

Year of Manufacture: 1931 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .32 W.C.F. (.32-20 Winchester Center Fire)

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 “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 bottom of the frame and the right side of each portion of the grip frame are marked “354123”. The rear of the loading gate and the right-rear of the frame under the grip each have assembly number “30”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “3”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “K”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “23”. The inside of each grip panel has “354123” hand-scribed.

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 minor handling wear with only a few scattered light marks. The checkering is well defined with good detail in the colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a few spots of minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some wear at the muzzle on the left and along the ejector housing. The grip straps are worn to white and there is wear inside the trigger guard. The frame retains fairly strong case color with some areas muted and scattered minor oxidation. There is more notable finish wear on the loading gate. The cylinder has turn-wear and infrequent minor oxidation. There are some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces almost no 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: 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! 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 later 1st Generation, made in 1931 during the Great Depression. This example is in quite good condition, appearing to have seen gentle use over the last 90+ years. Chambered for .32-20 Winchester, it would be a very soft-shooting gun that would pair well with a Winchester carbine in the same caliber. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this late example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud