Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

Serial Number: 75495

Year of Manufacture: 1882

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Side Loading-Gate Revolver

Barrel Length: 7 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 checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The inside of each panel has "356620" hand-scribed. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few small marks. The checkering is well defined an there is good detail in the colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7+/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its current metal finish. There is fairly evenly scattered finish wear, mostly gone to a light patina. There is some finish loss in the front of the trigger guard that appears chemical in origin. The grip areas have light handling wear. There is infrequent minor erosion under the finish. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition as refinished Antique.

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 which indicates it shipped January 4, 1882 to Simmons Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri as one of 50 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 1882. The revolver is chambered for the original .45 Colt cartridge, which would make it a nice companion for a lever action carbine chambered for the same round. The revolver has been refinished and the grips replaced, but the metal parts are all serial matching, the bore is in good shape and the mechanics are still strong. Overall, it's in better shape than any of us will be at more than 140 years old! Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this late 19th Century example should be no exception. The included letter is nice as it shows that this revolver originally shipped to Simmons Hardware in St. Louis. Please see our photos and good luck!