Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army 4 3/4″ SAA .45 Revolver, MFD 1893 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3635
LSB#: 230724DC015
Make: Colt
Model: Frontier Six Shooter
Serial Number: 151354
Year of Manufacture: 1893 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt, Black Powder
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 in the top of the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber panels with a rampant colt at the top in an oval. The last four digits of the serial number are hand-scribed on the inside of each panel. Originally black, the exterior of the grips has gone to a brownish color and appear to have warped slightly, showing some gaps to the frame around the edges. The grips have light handling wear with some light nicks and scratches, mostly on the bottom faces. The checkering shows some wear, but is generally well defined and there is some good detail in the rampant colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray, the rifling is generally well defined. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore with some more moderate erosion and pitting about 1″ back from the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 4 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors’ firearms.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 7% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is in protected areas such as the side flats of the backstrap and trigger guard, the top of the backstrap, and the top and bottom of the ejector housing. Most surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with infrequent spots of light erosion. There are a few notable nicks on the face of the muzzle, just outside the crown. There is notable wear on the top of the barrel, interrupting the barrel address. There are tool marks around some screw heads. 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 and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The hammer does not catch at a safety notch, the first “click” is half-cock. This position is somewhat further forward than typical half-cock positions. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play on all six chambers. 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. 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 1893. It is in Good condition as Antique, showing honest wear consistent with its age. The revolver retains serial-matching parts including the grips. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this late 19th Century example should be no exception. It will display well as-is with its “been there, done that” appearance but would also be a good candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
