Colt S.A.A. SAA 1st Generation Smokeless Buntline & Saddle Ring, Blue & Case Colored 16” Custom Single Action Army Revolver, MFD 1912 C&R

Sold For: $1,606.99
LSB#: 161028DR01

Make: Colt

Model: This is 1st Generation Intermediate Smokeless Powder SAA revolver that has customized with a 16” barrel and saddle ring.

Serial Number: 324827

Year of Manufacture: 1912

Caliber: .44-40 Win. (.44 W.C.F.)

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: There are no markings on the barrel. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / JULY.2.72. JAN.19.75.” and with a Rampant Colt logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame and the grip frame just behind it are marked “324827”. The underside of the backstrap is marked “324 / 827”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “W”. The inside rear face of the loading gate is marked with the assembly number “263”. The rear of the frame under the hammer is marked “P”.

Barrel Length: 16”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with a Rampant Colt at the top of both grips and an American Eagle at the bottom of the right grip. The right grip has a brown patina from age. The left grip shows a few light handling marks in its smooth sections, and a few tiny dings on its bottom edge and bottom surface. The checkering shows light to moderate wear with a spot of heavy wear at the front of the grip. The right grip shows several dings in its bottom surface, a chip and a ding on its back edge, and moderate to heavy wear in the checkering. There is also a tiny chip in the bottom inside edge of the right grip. The grips rate in about Good to Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: The barrel finish is “In The White”. The ejector rod housing, trigger guard, backstrap and cylinder are blued. The frame is case colored.

Finish Originality: We believe the finishes are original, but the barrel isn’t original to the revolver.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, turning gray near the muzzle. The rifling shows light wear. There is light erosion from the muzzle back about 2” with a few spots of moderate erosion.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains 35% of its metal finish. There is surface loss in most surfaces, with a dark patina forming on the frame and cylinder, and a plum colored patina forming on the backstrap and front strap. There is bluing left in the flutes of the cylinder and in spots along the underside of the ejector rod housing. The barrel shows a few light handling marks, several light scratches from polishing, several tiny dings in its underside near frame and is starting to develop mottling from surface frosting. The ejector rod housing shows pinprick surface erosion long its outside surface, with file and tool marks. There also a few small tool marks on the sides of the frame in front of the cylinder, with pinprick surface erosion scattered over the cylinder, loading gate, the sides of the top strap, the left side of the frame in front of the cylinder, and along the left sides of the frame and trigger guard. The cylinder shows several shallow dings and a light drag line. The hammer knurling shows light to moderate wear with a small mar in its center rear. About half of the screw heads are disfigured and the remainder are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. The cylinder lock-up is very tight with a barely perceptible amount of play. The hammer has ¼ and ½ cock safety positions. 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: There is a saddle ring installed on the left side of the frame.

Our Assessment: This is a Colt SAA 1st Generation Intermediate Smokeless Powder revolver that was made in 1912. It is chambered in .44-40 Win. and has been customized with the addition of a 16” barrel and a saddle ring on the left side of the frame. We are not sure if this was a movie prop or if someone just wanted a really cool looking SAA revolver and decided to convert their Frontier Six Shooter into a Buntline Special. Either way, it’s an almost one of a kind item that you don’t see very often. The Buntline Special became well known after Stuart N. Lake told a story in his book “Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshall” about author Ned Buntline giving Colt revolvers with 12 inch barrels to Wyatt Earp and four other police officers of Dodge City sometime in the 1870’s because he was grateful for the color they supplied and their accomplishments. Years later, Hugh O’Brian brought the story back to life with his character in the television series “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp”. The pistol is in about Good condition with about 35% of its “In The White”, Blued and Case Colored finish remaining. This is a great opportunity for someone to possess a really cool looking handgun that is sure to elicit comments from friends and fellow shooters. With its 16″ barrel and .44-40 Win. chambering, it makes for a formidable weapon that is perfectly capable of taking down deer and other medium sized game. Tie it to your saddle via its lanyard ring the next time you are horseback riding in the high sierras and leave your carbine at home.