Custom Engraved Colt Single Action Army SAA .45 Revolver, 1886 Antique
SOLD FOR: $5712.99
LSB#: 230309MB002
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 117732
Year of Manufacture: 1886 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt, Black Powder
Action Type: 6-Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Gate Loaded Cylinder
Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 5 1/4″.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece pearl panels, the right panel has a carved eagle and each has a brass Colt medallion at the top. The left panel has broken across the top and been repaired, there is a small loss at the top-front corner. There is some discoloration and general light handling wear. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition as repaired and not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Chrome
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is light erosion scattered through the bore with a few patches of more moderate erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout. There is some scattered cloudiness, mostly due to erosion under the finish. There is some odd discoloration at the rear of the barrel where it enters the frame. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in Fair-Good condition as refinished (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The hammer will drop from the safety and half-cock notches when the trigger is depressed. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The trigger is quite light and crisp. The cylinder locks with light play on each chamber. We have not fired this handgun. 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). This is an interesting example of an early Single Action Army, made in 1886 and showing signs of customization. The barrel has been cut back to about 5 1/4″, the revolver has been extensively engraved, and a new chrome finish has been applied. This is all set off by the installed pearl grips, giving the gun a very distinctive appearance. It certainly has a very old-west appearance and will display well in any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
