Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

Serial Number: 140639

Year of Manufacture: 1891

Caliber: .38-40 Winchester, black powder frame.

Action Type: Single Action Side Loading-Gate Revolver

Barrel Length: 4 3/4"

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 topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber with Rampant Colt at their tops and American Eagle at their bottoms. The interior of the grips have what appear to be initials hand-carved. The grips have fairly even moderate handling wear, a little more notable in the left panel. The left panel has a very small loss at the bottom-front corner. There are a few other scattered more minor marks. The checkering shows some wear, but is generally well defined. There is some detail loss in the colts and eagles. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: Original, matching numbered parts.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with fairly well defined rifling. There is evenly scattered erosion and light pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 20% of its metal finish. Strongest remaining finish is in the barrel and the right frame-flat. There is infrequent other scattered finish. The grip areas have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is scattered surface erosion with more notable pitting around the cylinder gap. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches including tool marks around the cylinder pin. The action shows operational wear including turn-wear on the cylinder. The screwheads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots, some appear to have been replaced. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be needed to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a Colt Archives letter which indicates it was made as a .38/40 with 4 3/4" barrel, nickel finish, grips not listed and shipped to Simmons Hardware Company in St. Louis, MO on May 6, 1891 as one of 5 guns of the same type in the shipment.

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 is a 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1891. The revolver is in Very Good condition as Antique, retaining some original nickel finish, a bore showing erosion consistent with use of black powder, and surprisingly strong mechanics. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this late 19th Century example shipped to Simmons Hardware in St. Louis should be no exception. At 135 years old, it is still in great mechanical shape and is a nice example of a Single Action Army. Please see our photos and good luck!