Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4″ Blue .45 Revolver, MFD 1920 C&R
Sold For: $3,250
LSB#: 201006HH01
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 340868
Year of Manufacture: 1920 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. / HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.”, the right is marked “45 COLT”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT 19. 1871. / JULY 2, 72. JAN. 19. 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The left of the trigger guard is marked “1” and “VP” in triangle. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the grip frame are each marked “340868”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “68”, the front face is marked “H”. The inside of each grip panel has “340868” hand-scribed. The rear of the loading gate and the right-rear of the frame under the grip are each marked “924”. The hammer slot is marked “2” and “X”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round 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 rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The grips have minor handling wear with a few scattered light marks. The checkering and colts are generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks on the exterior, there are short cracks at the grip screw escutcheons on the interior. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent light erosion with two spots of minor pitting.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 65% of its metal finish. Most of the balance is in oxidation and erosion scattered throughout with some patches of solid erosion, most notable in the backstrap but with smaller spots of the barrel, frame and cylinder. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is finish wear along the left of the barrel, the outside of the ejector rod housing and the bottom-front of the trigger guard. The cylinder has wear around and behind each flute with turn wear at and around the stop notches. The case color of the frame ranges from strong and bright to muted and gray. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces barely perceptible play side-to-side and no end-shake on all six chambers. The cylinder has a removable bushing. The trigger is crisp. 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: The Colt Single Action Army is perhaps the quintessential old west handgun, produced for more than a century, serving the U.S. Army as its sidearm from 1873 into the first world war and captivating audiences on the silver screen. This example is a late 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1920. It is in about Good condition, retaining about 65% of its original finish, having scattered oxidation and erosion, but retaining strong mechanics and a more than decent bore. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this inter-war example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California and CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
