Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army 4 3/4″ SAA .45 Revolver, MFD 1894 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2,575.00

WOA#: WY240323WM022

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 157438

Year of Manufacture: 1894

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “45 COLT.”, the top is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / JULY 2. 72. JAN 19. 75.” and with a circled rampant colt. The bottom of the frame is marked “157438”. The trigger guard is marked “157438” and the butt is marked “157 / 438”. The rear of the loading gate has assembly number “393”.

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 grip is one-piece smooth walnut. The grip has light handling wear with some scattered nicks and scratches. There are some more notable compressions on the right at the front edge. There is some shaping wear around the edges. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

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.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light handling wear in the grip areas. There is scattered light wear around the outside of the cylinder. There is some other minor finish wear, most notable on the ejector housing. The ejector tab is bent. The loading gate detent is quite weak. There is some minor surface oxidation and there is some very faint erosion under the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to usable with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.

Mechanics: The loading gate detent is very weak. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each chamber. The cylinder was designed with a removable bushing, we were not able to remove the bushing 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: 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). This example was originally made in 1894. Since then, it has apparently seen some use and has been refinished, so it looks nice for its age. This revolver will make a neat addition to a Colt or SAA collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud