Custom Colt Single Action Army 1st Gen SAA .45 Revolver & Case 1875 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2,301.00

LSB#: WY250313JR025

Make: Colt

Model: Custom Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 15079

Year of Manufacture: 1875

Caliber: .45 Colt (note: this revolver has a black powder frame and may not be safe to fire with standard smokeless cartridges)

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder 

Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 5 1/8″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the top strap. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece faux-ivory panels. There are gaps behind the trigger guard, the panels may be intended for a different model. The grips have minor handling wear, but no notable damage. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: Refinished. The rampant colt on the rear of the cylinder indicates that it is a 2nd Generation part. Numbered parts are matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is flaking at the muzzle and the edges of the cylinder. There is a turn-line on the cylinder. The finis is otherwise generally strong with some scattered minor scuffing and infrequent oxidation. The ejector housing is missing its indexing stud. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as customized Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The cylinder can be pushed out of lock on each chamber. If the hammer is cocked when the cylinder is pushed out of lock, it will fall to half-cock. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. 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 display case, a Colt Archives letter and a sealed package of 12 cartridges from Frankford Arsenal dated 1878 with pull-string.

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).

This example was made in 1875 and has seen some customization. The barrel has been cut back to 5 1/8″, the cylinder is a 2nd Generation replacement, a set of faux-ivory grips have been installed, and a new nickel finish applied. The result is a revolver which is interesting and unique. The cylinder can be pushed out of lockup, but overall the gun is in better shape than any of us will be at 150 years old. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud