Winchester Shipped 1st Gen Colt Single Action Army SAA 7 1/2″ .45 Revolver
SOLD FOR: $6,075.00
LSB#: LSB251120JK001.1
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 51017
Year of Manufacture: 1879
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Side Loading-Gate Revolver
Barrel Length: 7 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. The backstrap inlet has “1017” hand-written. The grip shows even moderate handling wear. There are some nicks and scratches with a couple of more notable dings on the bottom to the right of the buttstrap. There are no cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original. Numbered parts are matching including cylinder and barrel.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with fairly well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and light pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 10% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is mostly in protected areas or around raised features such as the bottom of the ejector housing, cylinder flutes, and the top of the backstrap. Exposed surfaces have mostly gone to a fairly even patina with some light surface oxidation and infrequent minor erosion. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. 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 Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be needed to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter which indicates this revolver was produced a a .45 caliber 7 1/2″ barrel, blue finish and shipped to Winchester Repeating Arms Co. in New Haven, CT on July 24, 1879 as one of 20 guns of the same type in the shipment.
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. Produced for nearly a century and a half, they are still being made, today! This example is an early 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1879 and checks a lot of boxes for collectors. In addition to having serial matching parts, it has a bullseye ejector tab, black powder frame, and smooth walnut stock, essentially in the same configuration as the original Cavalry model. The icing on the cake is that this revolver originally shipped to Winchester, another Western icon. While it is not clear if the revolver was used for ammunition testing, gifts to employees, or perhaps even for retail sale at their factory location, the revolver’s connection to both Colt and Winchester makes it just a little more special. Please see our photos and good luck!