Colt 1st Generation Frontier Six-Shooter SAA Convertible, Blue & Case Colored 5 ½” Single Action Army Revolver & Box, MFD 1923 C&R
SOLD FOR:$6,500
LSB#: 160317JM14
Make: Colt
Model: 1st Generation Frontier Six Shooter
Serial Number: 346316
Year of Manufacture: 1923 (http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html)
Caliber: .44-40 WCF & .44 Special (in convertible cylinder)
Action Type: 6-Shot, Single Action, Side-Gate Loaded Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .44-40”, the top 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, 1975”, with the rampant Colt logo, the underside is marked “346316”, found again on the right side of the fore and back straps. The rear of the frame, under the hammer, is marked “2”. The back of the frame and rear face of the loading gate are marked “992”. The left side of the trigger guard bow is marked “8” and “VP” in triangle. The front of both cylinders are marked “H”, the rear of both cylinders are marked “16”. The inside of both grip panels are hand carved with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 5 ½”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade, fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch, sitting before a “U” channel on top of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are black hard rubber stocks with the rampant Colt logo in oval on the upper portions. The left panel has a ding that resulted in a small chip loss at the rim of the butt, there are scuffs on the bottom portion and a few compressed checkers. The right panel has a few light compressions and a scratch on the bottom smooth portion. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued Grip Frame & Barrel, Case Colored Frame & Hammer, Fire Blued Trigger
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The ejector rod housing, flanks of the barrel and trigger guard have wear consistent with holster use, with thin scratch marks present. The underside of the trigger guard, extending to the flanks, exhibit wear from normal handling. The fore and back straps of the grip frame shows handling wear, in some cases down to bare metal, which has resulted in a shift to brown patina. The underside of the barrel has marks from the cylinder pin. The front of the fire blued trigger has wear to bare metal. The case coloring has retained vivid diversity of color and is only slightly worn in normal areas of operation. The .44-40 WCF cylinder has a thin drag line, through the finish, with leading edge wear consistent with holster use, retaining about 85% of its original finish. The .44 Special cylinder retains about 90% of its finish, with a less pronounced drag line and lighter edge wear, with some scattered handling marks. The screw heads are bow-tied but for the grip screw, which has a sharp slot. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup with both cylinders is solid, with only a small amount of side to side play, with no measurable back play in lockup of all 6 chambers. The hammer cocks back with a very strong spring and the trigger pull is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a modern reproduction Colt box; the end label reads “5 ½ Colt’s Army S.A. Revolver. / Rubber Blue / .44-40”, with replica inner stickers. The box matches the original design quite well and shows only a few scattered storage marks, rating in about Excellent condition. A sheet of brown paper is included in Excellent condition. The revolver comes with a .44-40 WCF and .44 Special cylinder, both are marked “16”, which is correct to the serial number of the pistol. The .44-40 cylinder has about 85% of its finish remaining, the .44 Special about 90%, both produce exceptional lockup and are free of major damages (the cylinders are described further above in Overall Condition).
Our Assessment: This Colt Frontier Six Shooter was made in 1923 and retains spectacular case coloring and deep blued items. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, the mechanics still function with rigid precision and the revolver comes with a .44-40 WCF and .44 Special cylinder, both sharing the ending “16” digit of the pistol’s serial number. Both cylinders retain a high amount of finish and produce solid full lockup in each chamber. The revolver and cylinders have some wear consistent with holster use, the fore and back straps of the grip frame, trigger and trigger guard have handling wear as photographed. Included is a modern reproduction of a factory Colt cardboard box, with a sheet of brown paper to wrap the extra cylinder. This is a beautiful revolver that will make any new owner happy. Please see our pictures and good luck.
