Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4.75” .45 LC Revolver, 1904 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,500.00

LSB#: LSB250601SP001

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 255634

Year of Manufacture: 1904 (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 of the barrel is marked 45 COLT”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / JULY 2. 72. JAN. 19. 75.” and with an encircled Rampant Colt logo. The loading gate is marked with assembly number “2744”. The bottom-front of the frame and trigger guard are marked “255634”, the butt is marked “255 / 634”. The left front of the trigger bow is marked with a “5”. The hammer slot is marked “W”.

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a 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 hard rubber with Colt Rampants molded at their tops. There are light handling marks with nicks and compressions along the edges and bottoms. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is defined though smoothed in some areas. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is defined. There is light to mild erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 10% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and operational wear, thinning on the leading edges, and scattered erosion and oxidation. Most of the case color on the frame and hammer has gone mute with some trace amounts of color reserved in the protected areas. Most of the finish on the barrel, frame, and cylinder has worn to white. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play side-to-side and minor 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 1904. The revolver is chambered for the classic .45 Colt cartridge, which would make it a nice companion for a lever action carbine chambered for the same round. It is in Good condition, retaining a little of its original finish 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! – L.S.