Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

Serial Number: 352980

Year of Manufacture: 1929 (C&R Eligible – Shipped After 1932, per Colt Archive Correspondence)

Caliber: .38 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading-Gate and Six-Round Fluted Cylinder

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed quarter-round blade. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the top strap. The notch has been manually widened with a file, likely to improve sight visibility—a common period modification found on working revolvers.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are aftermarket two-piece mother-of-pearl panels with brass escutcheons. The right panel has a minor chip or flaw at the toe and shows some internal fissures common to natural pearl, while the left panel remains smooth and lustrous. Both show excellent iridescence and are well-fit to the grip frame. The grips rate in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some light fouling but no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 92% of its original nickel finish. The finish shows scattered light scratches and minor handling marks, with a faint turn line on the cylinder. Areas around the ejector rod housing and loading gate show subtle dulling consistent with normal handling. The chambers show signs of light use but are clean and well-maintained. The screw heads are lightly worn but serviceable. The rear sight notch has been widened by hand. The markings are sharp throughout, including the crisp barrel address and caliber rollmark. The hammer appears correct for the period, with fine checkering, proper profile, and polished nickel finish matching the frame. The frame, loading gate, and grip frame are all matching, with the last three digits (“980”) visible on the loading gate interior. The revolver is in Very Good to Excellent condition overall for its age.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up solidly and the hammer has strong, positive clicks. The loading gate operates smoothly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment:This revolver is a true collector’s piece—an original First Generation Colt Single Action Army, serial number 352980, manufactured in 1929, just before the end of Gen 1 production in 1940. With nearly 100 years of history, this revolver has survived in remarkably well-preserved condition, retaining approximately 92% of its original factory nickel finish and sporting an eye-catching set of mother-of-pearl grips that add undeniable presentation-grade appeal.

First Generation SAAs are the most desirable and collectible variants of Colt’s legendary six-shooter, and examples in this kind of condition are genuinely rare. Even more unusual is the chambering: .38 Colt is a scarce offering for the SAA, far less common than the typical .45 Colt or .38-40 chamberings, and highly prized by collectors who specialize in transitional-era Colts. The 4.75” barrel, vivid nickel finish, crisp markings, and clean mechanics make this an especially attractive survivor. The rear sight notch has been widened by hand—a functional period modification seen on revolvers carried or shot with intent.

This is not a refinished relic or a parts gun—it’s an authentic, sharp-marked, cleanly functioning First Gen Colt with a correct-era hammer, original finish, and undeniable character. Whether you’re a serious Colt historian, a Western arms aficionado, or an investor looking for a blue-chip collectible, this Pre-War SAA offers the exact combination of rarity, originality, and condition that rarely surfaces on the market. Bid strong—this one’s the real deal.