Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial#: 205204
Year of Manufacture: 1901
Caliber: .44 Russian
Action Type: Single Action Side Loading Gate Revolver
Barrel Length: 5 1/2"
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The grips show even light handling wear with a few light nicks and scratches, most on the bottoms of the panels. Each panel has a spot of wear on the bottom edge in the center. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Refinished, portions of original Case Color figuring are visible, appearing to have been blued over. Numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore with some spots of stubborn leading. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 15% of its current metal finish. There is a little mottled finish on the barrel. The frame has areas where the case color figuring is visible while other areas show a mottled blue similar to the barrel. Most other surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina with scattered finish wear. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. Most markings range from clear to worn, but legible. The rampant colt on the left frame flat is almost completely worn away. Overall, the revolver is in about Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: Included is a Colt Archives letter which indicates that this revolver was produced as a .44 Russian with 5 1/2" barrel, shipped January 29, 1901 to Roberts, Sanford and Taylor in Sherman, TX c/o Tom Bailey as the only gun of its type in the shipment.
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army is perhaps the quintessential old west handgun, produced for more than a century, serving the U.S. Army as its sidearm from 1873 into the first world war and captivating audiences on the silver screen. This example is a 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1901 with a 5 1/2" barrel. Of particular interest to collectors is that the revolver is chambered for .44 Russian, a rare chambering for the model with only a few hundred guns produced chambered for the cartridge. This example is more rare, 154 were made with a standard frame marked only for the Russian cartridge while there were more later dual-marked barrels for .44 S&W as well.
The revolver is in Good condition, retaining about 15% of its metal finish, appearing to have been blued over the frame's case hardening at some time. While the revolver shows its age, it retains surprisingly strong mechanics. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this early 20th Century example with documented rare chambering will make a great addition to even some advanced collections. Please see our photos and good luck!
