Browning Brothers Colt .45 SAA — 1873 Single Action Army Factory Letter 1920

SOLD FOR: $5,002
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 340801
Year of Manufacture: 1920
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “45 Colt”. The top of the barrel is marked “Colt’s Pt. F. A. Mfg. Co. Hartford, Ct. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “Pat. Sept. 19, 1871 / July 2. 72 Jan. 19, 75”, with the rampant Colt logo. The underside of the frame is marked “340801”. The inside of the loading gate is marked “804” (this number is not supposed to match anything). The left side of both the upper and lower grip frame are marked “340801”. The inside of the right grip is marked “340801”, the right panel is marked “4081” and “RWP”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with an “I” and the VP.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2″
Sights / Optics: This revolver is mounted with standard fixed SAA sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are original, serial numbered to the gun, two-piece checkered hard rubber. The grips have just barely begun to naturally ‘brown’. The checkering has worn a bit, but remains complete. There are scattered marks and the inside of the left panel at the escutcheon is cracked. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition, especially for their age.
Type of Finish: Blue & Color Case
Finish Originality: Factory Original – Guaranteed
Bore Condition: The bore is mirror bright and the rifling is strong, but a bit worn. There is no pitting or erosion in the barrel.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There is a bit of holster wear on the left side of the muzzle and ejector rod. There is edge wear on the cylinder and a slight drag line. The front and back straps show a bit of frosting, but the vast majority of the original finish is retained here as well. There is a very light drift to patina on the blue surfaces. The case colors are still visible, though a bit muted. This is about the best condition first generation Colt you could reasonably ask for. The Screw heads are sharp, showing only slight wear. The markings are crisp. Overall, this revolver rates in about Excellent condition, especially for its age.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly the springs are strong and the lock-up and timing are very good. We did not fire this gun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Factory letter, indicating 9/15/1920 shipping to Browning Brothers in Ogden Utah.
Our Assessment: You really couldn’t ask for a better First Gen Colt than this. This Colt Single Action is probably the most collectible gun in existence, the first generation Colts being the most collectible of the bunch. This revolver is spectacular in both condition and provenance, and it represents one of the most important guns ever made being delivered to one of the most important gun stores ever opened. Browning Brothers was John Moses Browning’s shop, and was delivered 6 years prior to his death, there is a good chance he even opened the package and put it on the shelf himself. A Colt Single Action Army with Browning Brother Provenance – in this condition! Wow!