Colt 1st Gen Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4″ .45 Revolver & Letter, 1924 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,880
WOA#: WY240407MC005
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation
Serial Number: 347244
Year of Manufacture: 1924 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
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.”, the left is marked “45 COLT”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT 19. 1871. / JULY 2, 72. JAN. 19. 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The bottom of the frame and the right of each portion of the grip frame are each marked “347244”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “44”. The rear of the loading gate and the right-rear of the frame under the grip are each marked with assembly number “1916”. The front face of the cylinder, the left of the butt, and the rear of the loading gate are each marked “1056B”, the right of the trigger guard is marked “&”; these are factory refinish markings indicating that the revolver was returned to the factory and refinished in October, 1956.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch at the rear of a groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The grips have moderate-heavy handling wear with scattered nicks, scuffs and small scratches. There are a few tiny losses around the edges. There are no external cracks, the inside of the left panel has a crack across the screw hole. The checkering is worn, but visible. The fit of the panels to the grip frame indicates that they are replacements. Overall, the grips are in Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Factory Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp. There is some minor erosion at the muzzle-end and a patch of light erosion in the bottom of the bore about 1″ in front of the forcing cone. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 35% of its current metal finish. There is finish wear along the ejector housing and the left of the barrel. The grip areas have mostly worn and gone to a light patina. Exposed portions of the frame have muted with some strong case color in well protected areas. The cylinder has scattered wear, mostly at edges. There is fairly evenly scattered minor surface oxidation. There is some more notable erosion on the grip frame under the grips. There are some small nicks and scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good condition as factory refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play on all six chambers. The cylinder has a removable bushing. The trigger is crisp. 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: This revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter which indicates that this revolver shipped October 23, 1924 to Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Company in Louisville, Kentucky as one of two guns of the same 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 late 1st Generation Single Action Army made in 1924. It is in Good condition, retaining about 35% of its metal finish, having been factory refinished in 1956. While the revolver shows its age, it is an honest example of a revolver which likely saw use and carry through some trying times in America. The revolver also originally shipped to Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Co. in Louisville, Kentucky. Founded in 1840, the company was a staple of the burgeoning city, and was a competitor to even the behemoths of Sears and Montgomery Ward in its time. Any 1st Generation SAA would make a great addition to a Colt collection, and this inter-war example should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
