Prairie Weet Pair Engraved Colt Single Action Army .357 Magnum Revolvers
SOLD FOR: $3,125.00
LSB#: WY240911JM019, 240911JM022
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army 2nd Generation, Single Action Army NRA Centennial
Serial Number: 63447SA, NRA5256
Year of Manufacture: 1972, 1971
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single Action Side Loading Gate Revolvers
Markings:
WY240911JM019: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, the left is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357 MAGNUM”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871 / JULY 2, 72 JAN. 19, 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The bottom of the frame is marked “63447SA”, found again on the left side of each portion of the grip frame. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo, the front face of the cylinder is marked “447”. The rear face of the frame (under the right grip panel) and the rear face of the loading gate are each marked with assembly number “691”. The backstrap has decorative engraving, inscribed “Prairie Weet”.
WY240911JM022: The right side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357 MAGNUM”. 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 “1871 NRA Centennial 1971”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2,72 JAN. 19,75” and with the rampant colt logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “NRA5256”, the left of the backstrap has “SA16080” and the left of the frontstrap is marked “NRA6241”. The inside rear face of the loading gate is marked with the assembly number “692”, found again on the right rear of the frame. The front face of the cylinder is marked “256”, the rear face has a rampant colt. The backstrap has decorative engraving, inscribed “Prairie Weet”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics:
WY240911JM019: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The front sight is not original to the gun. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the topstrap.
WY240911JM022: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear face of the sight has been serrated. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece Ajax smooth faux-ivory plastic panels. The grips have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as not original to the revolvers.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Most finish is Original to the parts. WY240911JM019’s barrel has been refinished. WY240911JM022’s grip frame components are not original to the frame.
Bore Condition:
WY240911JM019: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There are scattered patches of stubborn leading in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 7 out of 10.
WY240911JM022: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition:
WY240911JM019: This handgun retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is finish wear at the muzzle on the left and along the ejector housing. There is a patch of minor erosion under on the top of the bore across the middle of the barrel address. There is scattered turn-wear on the cylinder. There are scattered small nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few tiny spots of minor oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the barrel address is interrupted by erosion. Overall, this handgun is in about Very Good condition as partially refinished.
WY240911JM022: This handgun retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is finish wear at the muzzle on the left and along the ejector housing. There is scattered turn-wear on the cylinder. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable on the bottom of the barrel next to the ejector housing. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun is in about Very Good condition as not parts-original.
Mechanics: The actions function correctly. Both revolvers have had action work done. We did not fire these handguns. As with all firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army is perhaps the quintessential old west handgun, produced for more than a century, serving the U.S. Army as its sidearm from 1873 into the first world war and captivating audiences on the silver screen. The SAA was discontinued by Colt as it tooled up to provide for the WWII war effort, and it was thought by Colt that the design was obsolete, swing-out cylinder revolvers had been around for half a century and autoloaders were gaining in popularity. Then, with the advent of television and western programs such as Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, and The Gene Autry Show, American interest in the guns that won the west was reborn. In 1956, Colt reintroduced the Single Action Army, this new production run now referred to as the 2nd Generation SAA’s.
This is an interesting pair which is not quite matching, but which have are inscribed with the alias “Prairie Weet”. Long-time Cowboy Action Shooters may be familiar with Prairie Weet, wife of five-time overall World Champion “China Camp”. One of the revolvers is a 1972 vintage 2nd Generation while the other is a 1971 NRA Centennial model, both 4 3/4″ revolvers chambered for .357 Magnum. The revolvers have had action work done and both show wear consistent with use in competition. This is a slick pair that will make a neat addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
