Colt 1st Gen Intermediate Black Powder SAA 4.75” Single Action Army
SOLD FOR: $3,425
WOA#: WY240120EC005
Make: Colt
Model: 1st Generation Intermediate Black Powder Single Action Army (3 Line 3 Date Patents)
Serial Number: 94878
Year of Manufacture: 1883
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings:The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. Left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / “ JULY 2.–72. / “ JAN. 19.–75.”. The underside of the frame at the grip frame and the grip frame just behind it are marked “94878”. The bottom of the grip frame is marked “94 / 878”. The inside rear face of the loading gate is marked with the assembly number “1533”. The rear of the frame under the hammer is marked “B” and the left front of the trigger guard is marked “45CAL”. The left side of the barrel is marked “45 COLT.”. The cylinder is marked “4878” and “P”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “H”. Above the serial on the bottom of the frame is marked with a D.F.C. inspection mark (David F. Clark). The C has mostly faded away.
Barrel Length: 4.75”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a thin quarter-round blade fixed to the top of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colts in ovals at their tops. The grips show handling wear, more notable on the left panel, with some of the checkering almost smoothed altogether. The checkering is visible, well defined in some areas but worn in others. There are some small nicks and light scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: The finish is nickel plated, with the cylinder pin, ejector rod button, trigger and screw heads given a highly polished blue finish.
Finish Originality: The finishes are not original.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling shows light wear. There is light erosion scattered throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10 for Antique.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but also to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collector’s firearms.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 60% of its current metal finish. There are scattered patches of corrosion and discoloration spread about he frame and cylinder. The turn line is prominent and a little jagged. There are scratches, scuffs, and some minor nicks throughout. The hammer checkering shows light wear but remains daily sharp.There is some rust in the crevices and mainly on the grip frame. The markings are shallow and the patent dates are hard to read in spots. Overall, this revolver rates in about Very Good condition as refinished and Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The cylinder lock-up is very tight with a tiny amount of play. The trigger pull is crisp and the hammer is easily cocked. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army handgun is a single action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six rounds. It was designed for the US government service revolver trials of 1873 by Colt’s Manufacturing Company and adopted as the standard military service revolver until 1892. Although the SAA has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths, its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. Colt has discontinued its production twice, but brought it back due to excessive demand. This revolver is a 1st Generation Intermediate Black Powder SAA model with a 4 ¾” barrel chambered in .45 Colt. The revolver has been refinished in nickel with a blue finish applied to the screw heads and other small parts. This revolver is in about Very Good condition as refinished with about most of its current finish remaining. The bore is gray with light wear in the rifling but remains exceptionally strong given its age and providence and the cylinder lockup is about as good as that found on most modern guns just out of the box. All Colt SAA revolvers are collectible and this one given its Antique status and condition makes it a must have. In its refinished condition, this great looking revolver is also perfect for Cowboy Action Shooting, especially with so little effort required to cock the hammer, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the shooters outbid the collectors on this one. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
