Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 230198
Year of Manufacture: 1902
Caliber: .41 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading-Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade. The rear sight is a “V”-notch 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 general light handling wear. There are some scattered minor marks with one more notable nick at the bottom edge of the right panel toward the rear. The grips show some discoloration, going to a brown color. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There are some scattered spots of light erosion and minor pitting. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are scattered nicks and spots of minor erosion under the finish. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches through the finish. There is scattered faint surface oxidation. The cylinder and grip areas show minor finish wear. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The head of the cylinder pin is tool marked. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer pull is quite light and smooth, indicating that action work has been performed. The cylinder locks up with light play on each chamber. The cylinder has a removable bushing. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The expiration of Smith & Wesson's patent on the bored-through cylinder in 1869 led Colt to design the revolutionary M-1873 Single Action Army, which soon earned the moniker the "Peacemaker", "Equalizer", and "gun that won the West". Carried by soldiers, cowboys, lawmen and outlaws alike, the Colt SAA quickly became synonymous with the untamed wilds of the American West. The .41 Long Colt round was originally designed for use in the M-1877 “Thunderer” DA revolver, but Colt added it as a caliber for the SAA in 1885. It was by far the least common chambering for 1st Generation SAAs, with only 19,676 (including Bisleys) made from 1885-1941.Although less potent than its larger caliber cousin, the .45 Colt, Elmer Keith in “Sixguns” wrote that .41 Colt was a better fight stopper than its paper ballistics would indicate.
This Colt 1st Gen SAA revolver is in Very Good condition as refinished, retaining 85% of its new blue finish, and with a bore much better than might be expected given the gun’s age. It’s now 122 years old, and wasmade in the early smokeless powder period. This is a fine turn of the century Colt Single Action Army revolver, with the desirable 4 ¾” barrel length, and chambered in the scarce .41 Colt.
Pistol