Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

Serial Number: 346944

Year of Manufacture: 1925

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Side Loading-Gate Revolver

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 square notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. Originally black, the grips have begun to go to a brown color. There is scattered light-moderate handling wear. There are a few dings and minor scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There is minor cracking around the screw bolsters on the interior of the grips, but no external chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The cylinder's serial marking is struck over a previous marking and may have been replaced. Numbered parts match.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is even light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is mostly weak or muted with some good blue on the grip frame under the grips. Exposed surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. There are a few minor nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition.

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: The pistol comes with a Colt Archives letter and a letter from Rio Grande Trading Company. The Archives letter indicates that the revolver shipped in its current configuration to the Miller Bros. in Marland, OK on March 7, 1925 as one of 14 guns of the same type in the shipment. Bruce Barlett of Rio Grande Trading notes in his letter that as the gun was shipped directly to the Miller Bros., there is no question that the 101 and 18 markings are authentic.

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 nearly a century and a half, they are still being made, today!

This example has an interesting history. Colt Archives confirms that it was shipped to the Miller Brothers in Marland, Oklahoma. The brothers owned the famous 101 Ranch which peaked at 110,000 acres and was at one time the largest farm and ranch in America. The 101 Ranch is also famous for its Wild West Show which at times featured such names as Tom Mix and Buffalo Bill Cody. The 101 Ranch Oil Company owned by E.W. Marland struck oil on the ranch, the Marland Oil Company was formed, later to be come Continental Oil Company, now known as Conoco Phillips. The Great Depression would ultimately force 101 Ranch into bankruptcy, just seven years after this revolver was shipped.

The revolver shows wear consistent with being a working gun on a ranch and Wild West Show, marked in various places with 101 and 18. This is a documented piece of the true American West and will take a prized place in any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!