Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number:

Frame- 35391, J.T.C. inspected

Trigger Guard- 2254, A. inspected

Cylinder- 1019, D.F.C. inspected

Backstrap/Barrel- no legible serial or inspection marks

Year of Manufacture: 1877

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Barrel Length: 5 1/2”.

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one piece smooth walnut. The grip has a few minor nicks and small scratches. The wood is generally shy to the metal. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: No finish remains.

Finish Originality: Most surface show polishing.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4+/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 0% of its metal finish. The surfaces have mostly worn or been polished to white. Some areas are going to a light patina. The front face of the ejector housing has been repaired. There are tool marks on each side of the frame where the barrel enters. There are some light nicks and scratches. There is some scattered surface erosion, most notable on the sides of the hammer, on the cylinder between some flutes, and on the trigger guard. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as Antique and not parts-original.

Mechanics: The hammer does not catch at the safety notch. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This revolver started out life in 1878 as a Model 1873 Cavalry revolver and likely saw some use in the Indian Wars of the late 19th Century. It has since been assembled as an "Artillery Model". Between 1900 and 1903, Colt altered and refinished 5,444 revolvers into “Artillery” models (5 ½” barrel). Per Kopec and Fenn, “A single Artillery revolver often will have parts from three or four different Cavalry revolvers”. The “Artillery” moniker is a collector’s term, as the modified revolvers were most notable for their issue to U.S. Artillery units in the Spanish-American war.

While this revolver's mixed numbered parts may well have gone through this conversion process, it looks to have seen some use since leaving US service with tool marks on the frame possibly indicating that the barrel was replaced. For all that, it certainly looks the part and it is very likely that other components used to assemble this "Artillery Model" came from genuine U.S. issued revolvers. This revolver must have a very interesting history, if only it could be told. All of the Colt 1st Generation revolvers are heavily collected, and this example has quite an interesting mix of parts, so it could serve as a source of parts for other SAAs as well as displaying well as an "Artillery". Please see our photos and good luck!