Colt Frontier Six Shooter SAA .44-40 Single Action Revolver, 1881 Antique
SOLD FOR: $5,400
LSB#: 230914LM058
Make: Colt
Model: Frontier Six Shooter
Serial Number: 64195
Year of Manufacture: 1881 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 7 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. The grip shows light-moderate handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are clusters of dings on the bottom face of the grip, continuing onto the butt of the frame. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original. The cylinder pin retaining screw is a replacement, it is possible some other small parts are replaced. The serialized parts are matching including the barrel.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore with one spot of more notable pitting in the bottom of the bore about 1.5″ from the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 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. There is some strong blue on the barrel under the ejector housing. There is a little blue finish in protected areas of the grip frame. The frame has infrequent weak case color in well protected areas. Other surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some scattered surface oxidation and infrequent erosion. There is more notable wear at the muzzle on the left. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a cluster of more notable nicks on the butt and another on the bottom of the barrel in front of the cylinder pin head. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the etched panel is worn, but visible. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The timing is correct and the cylinder locks up with minor play on all six chambers. The cylinder has a removable bushing. We were not able to remove the bushing. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. 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 revolver is the iconic sidearm of the cowboy, lawman, and outlaw. Originally introduced in Colt’s .45 caliber, the demand for a revolver compatible with Winchester’s cartridges for their 1873 led to the introduction of the Frontier Six Shooter, essentially just a SAA chambered for the Winchester cartridge. This example is a 1st generation Frontier Six Shooter produced in 1881. It has the classic 7 1/2″ barrel, black-powder style frame with the cylinder pin retained by a screw, and etched-panel barrel. In Very Good condition with surprisingly strong mechanics for a 140 year old revolver, this will make a fine addition to any Colt revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
