Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

Serial Number: 324538

Year of Manufacture: 1912

Caliber: .41 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Side Loading-Gate Revolver

Barrel Length: 5 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The inside of the left panel is hand-scribed "6718". The right panel has what appears to be "WILL ZONNIE MARTIN" hand-carved. The grips show fairly even moderate-heavy handling wear with areas of the checkering worn smooth. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The left panel has an interior crack at the top-front edge. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. Exposed surfaces are mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is a little finish remaining under the ejector housing and under the grips. The ejector tab is bent backward notably. There is scattered surface erosion and some light pitting. There are tool marks at some screw heads. The action shows minor operational wear with a light turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from tool marked with strong slots to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a Colt Archives letter, approximately 200 unfired Starline brass casings, 29 hollow-base lead bullets approximately 197gr, Lee and Redfield dies. The letter indicates that this revolver shipped in its current configuration September 21, 1912 to Norvell Shapleigh Hardware in St. Louis, MO 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 was made in 1912 and is chambered for .41 Colt. The .41 Long Colt was originally made for use in the M1877 Thunderer double action revolver. Although less potent than its better-known cousin, the .45 Colt, Elmer Keith in "Sixguns" wrote that it was a better fight stopper than its paper ballistics would indicate. This example shows its age, but has it where it counts, with a very shootable bore and strong mechanics. This makes it a nice find for fans of the .41 LC and reloaders as it comes with a bunch of Starline brass, a few bullets, and dies to get you started. This old pony ought to have a few more trips out of the stable left in it. Please see our photos and good luck!