Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

Serial Number: 21971

Year of Manufacture: 1875, shipped January 31, 1876

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Side-Loading Gate Revolver

Barrel Length: 7 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tapered blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V" notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. The backstrap inlet has "1971" hand-written. The grip shows handling wear and some discoloration. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. There are small losses at the bottom-front corners. There are no cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Some remaining finish is Original, most surfaces show treatment with cold blue. Numbered parts are matching including barrel and cylinder.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is scattered, mostly in protected areas or around raised features. Most surfaces have been treated with cold blue in the distant past and are going to a fairly uniform light patina. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. There are scattered nicks and scratches, most notable is a cluster of nicks behind a cylinder flute at the serial marking. The front face of the cylinder has been polished bright. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a Colt Archives letter indicating it shipped to B. Kittredge & Company in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 31, 1876 as one of 17 guns 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 (and still does, today).

This example was made in 1875 and shipped to the Benjamin Kittredge Company, a major Colt distributor. Kittredge was actually responsible for giving the SAA the moniker "Peacemaker". The gun shows honest wear consistent with its age, retaining about 5% of its original finish, most surfaces showing treatment with cold blue. The mechanics are still good and the bore is shockingly nice for its age. This is a neat early Single Action Army that will add to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!