Custom Colt Single Action Army SAA 1st Gen .38 Special Revolver, 1907 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,725.00
LSB#: WY240911JM020
Make: Colt
Model: Custom Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 300670
Year of Manufacture: 1907 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: The barrel is marked .357 Magnum, the cylinder does not have the “M” marking typical of magnum cylinders. We suspect that the cylinder is chambered for .38 Special. A qualified gunsmith should be consulted before firing magnum cartridges in this revolver (see Our Assessment).
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The bottom-front of the frame is marked “300670”, the left is marked “PAT.L SEPT.L 19. 1871. / JULY 2. 72. JAN. 19. 75.” with a circled rampant colt. The left of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357 MAGNUM”, the top is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “29018”, the rear face has a rampant colt. There are no serial markings on the grip frame.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight has been milled out to a square notch at the rear of a groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece stag panels. The grips show minor wear with some discoloration from age and handling. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Refinished. The grip frame, barrel and cylinder are not original to the receiver. Some other small parts may be replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 85% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is wear along the outside of the ejector housing and some at the muzzle on the left. There is scattered turn-wear on the cylinder. There are several scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are generally sharp or tool marked with strong slots, the grip screw has more notable tool marking with a usable slot. The remaining markings are generally clear, it is not apparent whether the grip frame never had serial/inspection markings or if they were removed. Overall, this revolver is in Fair-Good condition as refinished and customized (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The action functions properly when operated gently. When operated briskly, the cylinder has a tendency to over-rotate. The cylinder can be manually pushed out of lock counterclockwise on each chamber. 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: 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. Produced for nearly a century and a half, they are still being made, today! This example started life as a 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1907. Since then, it has been rather significantly customized. The new barrel is marked for the .357 Magnum cartridge while the cylinder appears to be a .38 Special cylinder. The pistol has been given a new finish, as well as a new grip. The grip frame has no serial markings, it is not clear if they were removed or if the entire assembly is a replacement. The choice of .357 Magnum may seem like a modern upgrade, but the SAA was actually offered in the .357 Mag as a standard chambering starting in the 1930s. That said, around the time that the cartridge was adopted for this model, Colt’s also saw fit to do away with the fouling scoop in the topstrap behind the barrel, possibly to keep a little more meat where the magnum cartridge might start flame-cutting. This revolver’s topstrap has the fouling scoop and doesn’t show any signs of cutting, but it may be best to consult with a gunsmith about which .357 Magnum loads may be suitable for use, or just stick to .38 Specials.
There are some issues with timing and lockup that you will want to address before firing, but the gun looks quite nice with its new stag grips. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this customized early 20th Century revolver is certainly an intriguing specimen. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
