Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial#: 313110
Year of Manufacture: 1910
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action Side Loading Gate Revolver
Barrel Length: 7 1/2"
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is was a "V"-notch integral to the topstrap, it has been mostly milled out to a square notch with just the bottom of the "V" still visible.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two-piece stag panels. The grips show even light handling wear with a little discoloration from age and handling. The fit leaves slight gaps at the bottom-front corners. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color, Gold and Fire-Blue trim
Finish Originality: Refinished at time of engraving. Numbers match. The barrel and cylinder are not original to the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 8-9/10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly handling wear in the grip areas, more notable in the backstrap. There is some wear along the ejector housing. Some of the finish on the barrel has gone to a plum hue. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as customized.
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: None.
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 captivates audiences on the silver screen and television to this day. Produced for nearly a century and a half, they are still being made! The 1st Generation Single Action Army was produced from 1873 to 1941, though sales did fall off toward the end of the 1st Generation. While more than 311,000 of the revolvers were made from 1873 to 1909, in the last 32 years of production there were only about 46,000 made.
In addition to its obvious uses as a firearm, the Single Action Army has also been the canvas for some of the more beautiful engraving of its time. This is one of the 20th Century 1st Generation, made in 1910 just a few years before the Great War. It has since been customized, converted to .38 Special, beautifully engraved and finished, and equipped with an attractive set of stag grips. The engraving is gorgeous, featuring extensive relief foliate scroll, dogshead motif on each side of the hammer and the right frame flat, American shield at the top of the backstrap and a prominent banner on the barrel reading "MAY JUSTICE BE SWIFT" which has a gold arrow wending through the banner. In addition to the arrow, the barrel and cylinder feature gold bands. This is just a beautiful revolver. We only wish we knew the engraver who simply signed their work "SBJ"! Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this will make for an incredible display. Please see our photos and good luck!
