Colt Single Action Army SAA 1st Gen. Late Smokeless Powder, R. Evans Engraved 4 Sa Revolver & Faux Ivory Grips, 1921 C&R .44 Special
SOLD FOR:3,430.00
LSB#: 180210SB02
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 1st Generation Late Smokeless Powder Frame
Serial Number: 342422
Year of Manufacture: 1921
Caliber: .44 Special or .44 Russian
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “RUSSIAN AND / S&W SPECIAL” and “44”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT SEPT.19.1871. / JULY 2,72. JAN.19,75.” and with a Rampant Colt logo. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG.CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The underside of the frame at the trigger guard is marked “342422”. The left front side of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle. The back of the frame under the hammer and above the cylinder pin hole is marked “O” and the cylinder latch is marked with the assembly number “423”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “22” and the front face with “H”. The left side of the backstrap and the trigger guard, under the left grip, are marked “342222”. The left side of the trigger guard under the grip panel is also marked “EVANS” in two places. Robert Evans is a Master Engraver and founding member of the Firearm Engravers Guild of America. He is retired, but still living in Oregon City, Oregon. He confirmed that he did the engraving on this pistol.
Barrel Length: 4 ¾”
Sights / Optics: This revolver is mounted with a “U” groove in the top strap for a rear sight and a quarter round blade front sight fixed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth faux ivory that show a few very light handling marks and three light scratches in the bottom of the right grip. The grips fit the frame well. The grips are in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel, ejector rod housing, cylinder pin, trigger, trigger guard and backstrap are blued. The frame and hammer are case colored. The cylinder has a bronze colored blued finish. The cylinder is engraved with blackleaf style leaf and vine scroll, and the frame, ejector rod housing, the top of the backstrap, and the top rear of the barrel are engraved with large leafy vine patterns. Please see our pictures for a better description than we can put in words.
Finish Originality: The finish is not original.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, turning gray near the muzzle. The rifling shows light wear. There are spots of light erosion in the bore from the muzzle back about 1 ½”.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its current metal finish. There is light pitting under the finish on the top front of the ejector rod and in the flutes of the cylinder. There are a few light handling marks scattered over the surfaces. The case coloring is vivid. The cylinder does not have a drag line. The hammer checkering shows light wear and the cylinder pin is un-marked. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear, but the next to the last digit of the cylinder number is shallow. The revolver is in about Fine Plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The cylinder lockup shows only a tiny amount of play. The trigger pull is light and crisp. The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This is a Colt SAA revolver made in the Late Smokeless Powder era after WWI. The revolver has been refinished in blue and case coloring, and engraved in blackleaf by Master Engraver Robert Evans, whose name is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard and backstrap. The cylinder was finished with a dark bronze bluing which matches the case coloring of the frame, and the whole revolver is set-off nicely with faux ivory grips. The serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, backstrap and cylinder are matching. This revolver is really beautiful, so please see our pictures. While the finish isn’t original, it isn’t every day you get a chance at a 1st Generation Colt engraved by a Master Engraver. We think the serious Colt collectors are going to be very interested in this revolver.
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible single action revolver CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.
