Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ Blue .45 LC Revolver, 1913 C&R
SOLD FOR: $7594.99
LSB#: 220122DD001
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 325434
Year of Manufacture: 1913 (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 left 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 bottom of the frame and the bottom of the trigger guard at the front are each marked “325434”. The butt of the grip frame is marked “325 / 434″. The rear of the loading gate and the right-rear of the frame under the grip each have assembly number “772”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “1”. The hammer slot is marked “P”. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “5434”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
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 grips have light handling wear with a small patch of smoothed checkers on the left panel between the rampant colt and grip screw. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The grips are slightly discolored, going to a brownish hue. 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-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is wear at the muzzle, along the left of the barrel and along the outside of the ejector rod housing, consistent with holster-wear. The grip areas show handling wear. The outside of the cylinder has scattered turn-wear. The frame has some scattered minor surface oxidation which blends well with the red colors of the frame’s case color. The hammer has generally strong case color with some operational wear on the side faces. The left of the barrel has some faint surface oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, mostly in the previously mentioned areas of wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces barely perceptible play 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: This revolver comes with a Colt Historian letter which shows that this revolver shipped February 14, 1913 to Wm. H. Hoegee Company in Los Angeles, California as the only gun of the same type in the shipment. The letter is in Excellent condition.
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 1913. It is in Very Good-plus condition, retaining much of its original finish, a great bore, and excellent mechanics. The condition really is quite nice given that the gun is more than 100 years old. The revolver originally shipped to William “Western” Hoegee’s sporting goods store in Los Angeles, California. Hoegee’s company was a staple of the burgeoning city, and William himself was well known, sponsoring local sports teams and taking interest in improvements to both Los Angeles and nearby Hollywood where he had an estate. 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!