Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

Serial Number: 168080

Year of Manufacture: 1896

Caliber: .41 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

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 top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The interior of each panel has "8080" hand-scribed, the bottom of each has "HHA" hand-scribed. The grips have even light handling wear. There are some nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined with pretty good detail in the colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered erosion and some light pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 7% of its metal finish. Most exposed surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is a little finish in well protected areas and at corners. There is some strong blue and case color under the grips where there is also some notable surface oxidation. The exposed surfaces have some scattered light oxidation and infrequent minor erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches with tool marks at the head of the cylinder pin. 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 Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: This revolver comes with a photocopy of a Colt Archives letter, indicating that the revolver was produced in its current configuration and delivered to a Fred Stone on November 4, 1896 as the only gun of its type in the shipment, address unavailable. We’ve contacted Colt Archives, and the obfuscated middle initial on this photocopy originally read “Fred M. Stone”.

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, captivated audiences on the silver screen and television, and still does today! This example is a 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1896. The revolver is chambered for the .41 Colt cartridge, a neat find for the collector who wants one of each chambering. It is in Very Good condition as Antique, retaining a little original finish, serial-matching parts, a decent bore and strong mechanics. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this late 19th Century example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!