Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

Serial#: 338161

Year of Manufacture: 1920

Caliber: .45 Colt

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/ Grip: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The interior of the grips have scribed serial numbers, the right panel has a worn but legible "338161", the left is not legible. The grips show even light handling wear with a few light marks. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no external chips or cracks, the interior of each panel has cracking at the screw-holes. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates about 8/10.

Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is finish wear on the left of the barrel toward the muzzle and along the ejector housing. The grip areas show handling wear. The frame has some scattered muting and wear with strongest color in the flats and protected areas. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches and some light oxidation. Most worn areas are going to a light patina. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: Included is a Colt Archives letter which indicates that this revolver was produced as a 4 3/4" .45 with blue finish and shipped January 12, 1920 to Shapleigh Hardware Co. in St. Louis, MO as one of 4 guns of the same type in the shipment.

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. This example is a 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1920 with a 4 3/4" barrel chambered for .45 Colt.

It is from an interesting group of revolvers produced when Colt first began relocating serial number markings. Between November 1919 and January or February 1920, Colt began marking the trigger guard serial number on the left flat under the grip panel. It is estimated that only 1,100 revolvers were marked in this way before both the trigger guard and backstrap markings were moved to their left flats. This marking style has only been observed between serials 337816 and 338881 with both the earlier and later marking style having some crossover.

The revolver is in Good condition, retaining much of its original finish, matching numbered parts, a strong bore and good mechanics. For the discerning SAA collector, this example of the first stage number relocation is a great find. Even advanced collectors may have had few opportunities to add this variation to their collection, much less one in this condition. Please see our photos and good luck!