Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 306017
Year of Manufacture: 1908
Caliber: .38-40
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 7 1/2"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The blade has been altered with a notch cut in the top-rear and what appears to be an attempt at cutting a slot on the top-front. The rear sight is a notch at the rear of a groove in the top strap. Originally a "V"-notch, it has been cut to a thin square notch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The grips show moderate-heavy handling wear with the checkering mostly smoothed on the right panel, better defined on the left. The left panel has a loss at the bottom edge toward the rear. There are some nicks and scratches. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Most metal surfaces have been polished bright. The hammer is case color.
Finish Originality: The finish has been intentionally removed. The trigger guard and backstrap do not match the frame or each other, the hammer has been replaced. Some other small parts may have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is generally well defined. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 3% of its metal finish, all in the hammer. The metal other surfaces have been polished bright. There is more notable polishing/buffing at the muzzle on each side. The left of the frontstrap has "JOHN E FOLTZ 1935" hand-scribed under the grip, the butt has "JEF". There is scattered minor surface erosion, mostly polished out. There are scattered little nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as not parts-original.
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: The Colt Single Action Army is perhaps the quintessential old west handgun, produced for more than a century, serving the U.S. Army as its sidearm from 1873 into the first world war and captivating audiences on the silver screen. This example is a 1st Generation Single Action Army that has seen some changes since its frame was made in 1908. It sports a 7 1/2" barrel and cylinder chambered for .38-40 Winchester, possibly original to the frame. What we know has been changed is most everything else. The trigger guard, serial 95228, bears the inspector mark "G" for Ordnance inspector John Greer, taken from a US Cavalry model from 1883. The backstrap is significantly older than the frame, serial 10831, having an Ainsworth inspection mark, taken from a Cavalry model made in 1874. The ejector has the early "bullseye" style thumb-tab. The hammer is a newer part, having a concave firing pin and machine checkering with no border.
Overall, the revolver is in about Good condition, having had all parts but the hammer polished to white. While the revolver shows its age and is fast approaching a Ship of Theseus situation, it retains surprisingly strong mechanics. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection. This example with its mix of parts could be a valuable donor to different Cavalry revolver projects and is a prime candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!
