Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4″ .38-40 WCF Revolver, 1906 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3112.99
LSB#: 230921JL072
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 280253
Year of Manufacture: 1906 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester (W.C.F.)
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
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 black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed with the last three digits of the serial number and “T.W.”, the right panel also has what appears to be “TrHW”. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered small nicks and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined and there is good detail in the rampant colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is fairly evenly scattered finish wear with much of the frame’s case color muted. The grip areas have mostly gone to a light patina. There is scattered minor surface oxidation and infrequent minor erosion. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. The head of the cylinder pin is tool marked. The action shows operational wear including turn-wear on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the rampant colt on the frame is incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces little play side-to-side and minor end-shake on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder has 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 1906. It is in Good-plus condition, showing wear consistent with its age of nearly 120 years. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this early 20th Century example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
