Colt Single Action Army 1st Gen SAA .44 Spl 5.5” SA Revolver, 1904 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,025.00
LSB#: LSB250509TY020
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation, Barrel Swapped to the .44 Special
Serial Number: 251957
Year of Manufacture: 1904
Caliber: .44 Special
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 “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44 SPECIAL”. 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 trigger guard are each marked “251957”. The bottom of the grip frame is marked “251 / 957”. The loading gate are each marked with assembly number “95”. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “8638
Barrel Length: 5.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round 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 panels with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel and eagle on the bottom of each panel. There is light handling wear. The checkering is sharp. There is good detail in the colts. There is a nick in the right grip. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9 out of 10. The barrel was swapped to be the .44 special.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about % of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows a mild amount of operation wear. There is a notable turn line. There are scratches and nicks present throughout. The case color is muted. There is a patina showing through on the frame. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces barely perceptible play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder’s bushing is separate from the cylinder. 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: This Colt Single Action Army is a fascinating revolver that bridges the end of the 1st Generation production with the modern .44 Special chambering. While the frame dates to 1904, it was rebarreled and updated at the factory in 1958 with the correct “Colt Single Action Army .44 Special” barrel. This makes it one of the relatively scarce transitional guns where an early 1st Gen frame was retained and brought into service with a newer chambering. The revolver features its proper 5.5” barrel, matching serial numbers across the frame and grip frame, and its original hard rubber eagle grips. It also retains much of its blue and case color, though the finish shows scattered handling wear, a muted frame, and some patina forming on the metal.
Mechanically, this six-shooter remains solid, with proper indexing, crisp trigger, and tight lockup. The bore is bright and sharp, rating a strong 9/10 by inspection, making this revolver not only collectible but also a capable shooter if one wished to put it back in service. For collectors of Colt revolvers, especially those interested in the transitional period and rarer .44 Special chambering, this piece stands out as both historically intriguing and highly desirable. It is an authentic early 20th century Colt that benefitted from the factory’s later updates, and it remains a great representative of Colt’s craftsmanship during the heyday of the Single Action Army. Please look at our photos and good luck with your bid! -N.P.
