Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 170373

Year of Manufacture: 1897

Caliber: .45 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 at the rear of a groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few small marks. The checkering is well defined, there is good detail in the rampant colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, serial-marked parts are matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered stubborn fouling and infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong with some handling wear in the grip areas and some minor surface erosion along the left of the barrel and frame. There is some other scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some small nicks and scratches. The action shows light operational wear including a thin turn-line on the cylinder. The frame and hammer retain good figuring in their case color. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent 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 Colt Archives letter which indicates it shipped April 15, 1897 to Simmons Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri as one of 40 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 (and still does, today). 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 1897. The revolver is chambered for the classic .45 Colt cartridge with a 4 3/4" barrel. It is in Excellent condition as Antique, really one of the best examples of an 1897 Single Action Army you're likely to encounter. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this late 19th Century example shipped to Simmons Hardware should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!