Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 347027
Year of Manufacture: 1924
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 quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch at the rear of a groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth pearl panels. The exterior the panels shows minor handling wear with a few spots of discoloration and minor marks. There are no external chips or cracks. There are shallow losses on the interior of the panels. Based on the letter and fit, the grips are not factory, but may have been supplied by Wolf & Klar. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 90% of its metal finish. There is a little flaking, most notable at the heel of the butt, on edges of the cylinder, on the hammer, and the front of the ejector housing. There is a line of wear about halfway along the ejector housing starting at the front. There are infrequent spots of light oxidation and a little erosion around the cylinder gap. There are some minor scuffs and scratches. 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-plus 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: This revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter which indicates that this revolver was produced as a .45, 5 1/2" barrel, Nickel finish, factory engraved, and shipped December 17, 1924 to Wolf & Klar in Fort Worth, TX as the only gun of the same type in the shipment.
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. Produced for more than a century and a half, they are still being made, today!
This example is a late 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1924. It is chambered for .45 Colt with a 5 1/2" barrel, making for a powerful yet handy revolver. The revolver is factory engraved with nickel finish, though the installed pearl grips are not listed on the included Colt Archives letter. It is possible that the grips were supplied by Wolf and Klar, to whom the revolver originally shipped. The result is a revolver with a distinctive, vintage appearance which still retains much of its original finish. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this factory engraved, nickel finished example will take a prized place in even advanced collections. Please see our photos and good luck!
