Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4.75″ .38-40 WCF Revolver, 1897 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,925
LSB#: 240125SM001
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 172477
Year of Manufacture: 1897 (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 blade has been filed-down some. 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 grips have light-moderate handling wear with some light nicks and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering shows wear, but is visible. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The ejector rod has been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4 or 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 5% of its metal finish. The head of the ejector rod has strong blue finish and there is a little finish in well protected areas. Most surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina. The outside of the ejector housing has mostly worn to white and there are some other patches of wear. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. There is some minor surface erosion. 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, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Good-Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play side-to-side and minor end-shake on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder is designed with a removable bushing, but we were not able to remove it 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). 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 1897. The revolver is chambered for the classic .38-40 Winchester cartridge, which would make it a nice companion for a lever action carbine chambered for the same round. It is in Good-Very Good condition as Antique, retaining a little of its original finish and with strong mechanics. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this late 19th Century example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
