Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, Long Flute

Serial Number: 330921

Year of Manufacture: 1914

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver

Barrel Length: 4 3/4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel; the blade has been re-shaped to a beaded profile. 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 matching carvings. The grips show even light-moderate handling wear. There are some light nicks and scratches. The checkering shows some wear, but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, serial and assembly numbers match. The firing pin appears to have been replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore with a few patches of more moderate erosion. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates6-7/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 2% of its metal finish. There is some case color on portions of the hammer concealed when the hammer is down. The firing pin has strong finish and its pin is tool-marked. Otherwise, surfaces have fairly uniformly worn to white with some going to a light patina. 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 scattered nicks and scratches. A small hole has been drilled in the butt behind the serial marking, it does not go all the way through. There are tool marks at some screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn but legible. 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. Colt archives confirms that this example was shipped August 26, 1914 to Shelton-Payne Arms Company in El Paso, Texas as one of five 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 and matching numbered parts. 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!