1st Generation Colt Single Action Army SAA 7.5″ .38 W.C.F. Revolver C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,525.69
LSB#: LSB260323CL049
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 204266
Year of Manufacture: 1901 / C&R (Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .38 W.C.F.
Action Type: 6-Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Gate Loaded Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “.38 W.C.F.”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT SEPT 19 1871.” / “JULY 2 72 JAN.19.75” and a circled Rampant Colt. The bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and the butt are marked “204266”. The loading gate is marked “826”. The interior of the grip panels have been scratched with “204266”. The right grip panel is also scratched “H.B. Witt 5/12/1917”.
Barrel Length: 7.5″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch integral to the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber with a Rampant Colt inside an oval. There are scattered scratches and compression marks. The checkering remains defined. The Rampant Colts are still detailed. There is discoloration of the grips due to their age. There are no cracks or chips. Overall, the grips rate in about Fine condition for their age.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case-colored frame
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is erosion within the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6.5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains 40% of its metal finish. There are scattered compression dents. There are scratches throughout. There is finish loss at the muzzle. There is thinning along the barrel, trigger guard, and the grip straps. The thinned finish has revealed a brown patina. There is thinning and finish loss along the cylinder, as well as a turn line. There is light oxidation freckling and staining throughout. The case color is no longer vibrant. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder locks with no play at each chamber. We have not fired this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. There is a possibility the hammer has built up and recut based on the wear pattern.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army is one of the defining American revolver designs, introduced in 1873 and remaining in First Generation production until 1941. Colt added the .38 W.C.F., today more commonly known as the .38-40 Winchester, in 1884, and it became one of the SAA’s most successful chamberings, particularly attractive to users who could pair their sidearm with a Winchester lever-action rifle chambered for the same cartridge. The 7 1/2″ barrel was one of the classic factory configurations, retaining the long sight radius and full-size profile closely associated with the original cavalry revolver. This revolver also falls within Colt’s early smokeless-powder era; Colt began warranting the SAA for smokeless ammunition at approximately serial number 192000 in 1900, and production reached particularly high levels during the opening years of the 20th century.
This First Generation SAA retains approximately 40% of its original blue and case-colored finish, with considerable honest age and use expressed through finish thinning, exposed brown patina, scratches, compression marks, oxidation freckling, and cylinder wear. The period-correct checkered hard-rubber grips remain particularly attractive, retaining defined checkering and detailed Rampant Colt motifs with no chips or cracks; the scratched serial number and “H.B. Witt 5/12/1917” inscription inside the panels add an interesting period association, although the identity of H.B. Witt is not established by the listing. The bore remains bright with defined rifling despite its erosion, while the crisp trigger, proper action function, and tight cylinder lockup are additional strengths. The possible built-up and recut hammer should be considered when judging originality, but otherwise this is a handsome, well-preserved early smokeless-era .38 W.C.F. Single Action Army with considerable period character. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY