Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation

Serial Number: 269712

Year of Manufacture: 1905

Caliber: .32-20 Winchester (W.C.F.)

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 integral to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The inside of each panel has "9712" hand-scribed. The left panel had a chip across the indexing stud hole at the bottom-front corner that has been quite expertly repaired and there is cracking on the interior at the screw hole. The right panel has a tiny loss at the bottom-front corner. The grips otherwise show general light handling wear with some scattered marks. The checkering is well defined, there is pretty good detail in the rampant colts. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition as repaired.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling ranges from well defined to worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is in protected areas, mostly on the grip frame under the grips. Exposed surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a patina. There is fairly evenly scattered minor surface erosion. The head f the cylinder pin has tool marks and there are tool marks on the bottom of the barrel in front of the pin. There are some other scattered light marks. There is scraping on each side of the trigger guard behind the trigger. There are tool marks around most screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition.

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: 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 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 1905. It is in about Good condition, retaining a little of its original finish and strong mechanics, though it shows its age. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this early 20th Century example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!