Fox Studios Colt 1st Gen Single action Army SAA .45 Revolver, 1930 C&R

SOLD FOR: $8,525

LSB#: 231013RH005

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 353891

Year of Manufacture: 1930 (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 of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45″. The bottom of the barrel is marked “FOX STUDIO”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / JULY 2. 72. JAN 19. 75.” and with a rampant colt. The bottom of the frame is marked “353891”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “3” and with the Verified Proof. The right of the frontstrap is marked “353891”, the right of the backstrap is marked “356029”. The right-rear of the frame and the rear of the loading gate each have assembly number “761”. The insides of the grips are marked “c/e VAUX II” and “cE VAUX”, respectively, the right panel also had “30345”.

Barrel Length: 5 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 and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The grips have fairly even handling wear with some light nicks and scratches. There are some tiny losses around the edges. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the backstrap is not original to the frame.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with generally well defined rifling. There is some scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.

Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 30% of its metal finish. There is fairly evenly scattered finish wear with blue and case color in protected areas and around raised features. Worn areas range from in the white to a light patina. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. There are several scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear including turn-wear on the cylinder. There are firing pin strikes on the rear of the cylinder between chambers. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good-plus condition as not parts-original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Despite the firing pin strikes on the rear of the cylinder, we could not reproduce any timing issues. The cylinder locks up with minor play on each chamber. 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 requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a signed letter from author Rick Hacker detailing his history with the revolver. A custom presentation case is included fitted for the revolver and an included Deputy Sheriff badge (with 20th Century Fox property sticker on the reverse face), a key for the case is included. Also included is an original 8×10 photograph from the movie “Lawless Range” (20th Century Fox property sticker on reverse face) and a copy of the “Real Guns of the Reel Heroes” National Firearms Museum catalog in which the revolver is featured.

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!

Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. The revolver is property marked by Fox Studio, which merged to form 20th Century Fox in 1935. While there were independent prop companies which supplied guns for films, some larger companies maintained their own stock of props, and this is one such example. The revolver was acquired by author Rick Hacker when 20th Century Fox auctioned several of their movie props, also included is a Deputy Sheriff badge and a photograph from the Republic Pictures movie “Lawless Range” which were acquired in the same auction. The photograph shows actors Jack Curtis, John Wayne and Tex Palmer. It’s interesting to note that Palmer plays a Deputy Marshal with a badge which appears identical to the included badge.

The revolver comes from the personal collection of noted gun writer, NRA Field Editor and winner of the John T. Amber Literary Award, Rick Hacker. Mr. Hacker commissioned a custom display case for the revolver and badge which is also included. This revolver’s connection to 20th Century Fox and the included accessories will make this a wonderful addition to any collection. Just imagine the films this revolver may have appeard in! Who knows, maybe it was even held by John Wayne, himself. In any case, it will display well with the included case and documents. Please see our photos and good luck!

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