Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, Long Flute

Serial Number: 330270

Year of Manufacture: 1913, shipped March 3, 1914

Caliber: .38-40 WCF

Action Type: Single Action Revolver

Barrel Length: 4 3/4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in ovals at their tops. The interior of each panel has a matching series of carvings. The grips show even moderate handling wear with most checkering worn nearly smooth, but visible. There are some light nicks and scratches. The left panel has three notches at the bottom edge toward the rear which appear intentionally applied. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. Serial numbers match, the loading gate has a non-matching assembly number and does not appear to be original to the gun. The cylinder pin appears to have been refinished or replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 4/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 10% of its metal finish. Most surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some good blue finish in the cylinder flutes, infrequent weak color on the frame, and a little other finish in well protected areas. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation and erosion. The front face of the hammer has been relieved below the firing pin. There are some light nicks and scratches with more notable marks on the butt at the serial marking. There are tool marks at most screw heads. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, the serial marking on the butt is worn. Overall, this revolver is in about Good 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: Includes a Colt Archives letter.

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). Produced for nearly a century and a half, they are still being made, today! This example is a 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1913, and a quite scarce variant.

After the Model 1878 Frontier Double Action was discontinued, Colt found themselves with a number of cylinders still on hand. A corner of the factory was set aside and the cylinders were fit to function in Single Action Army revolvers, with a serial range starting at 330001 set aside for the project. The revolvers have a distinctive appearance with longer flutes and a half-length cylinder bushing. A total of 1,478 of these revolvers were produced from April, 1913 to mid-1915. Kopec notes that 626 were assembled in 1913, though Colt archives confirms that this example was shipped March 3, 1914 to Phelps Dodge Mercantile in Bisbee, Arizona as one of three guns of the same type in the shipment. The revolver is showing its age at more than 110 years old, but retains surprisingly strong mechanics. As one of the rare "Long Flute" Single Action Army revolvers, this is a must-have for the dedicated collector. Please see our photos and good luck!