Colt 1st Gen Intermediate Black Powder, Nickel SAA 5 1/2″ Single Action Army, 1883 Antique .45 Col

SOLD FOR: $2,625.00
LSB#: 180918JR22

Make: Colt

Model: 1st Generation Intermediate Black Powder Single Action Army (3 Line 3 Date Patents)

Serial Number: 93816

Year of Manufacture: 1883

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. C^O HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”.  left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / “ JULY 2.–72. / “ JAN. 19.–75.”. The underside of the frame at the grip frame and the grip frame just behind it are marked “93816”. The underside of the backstrap is marked “93 / 816”. The inside rear face of the loading gate is marked with the assembly number “3485”. The rear of the frame under the hammer is marked “H” and the left front of the trigger guard is marked “45CAL”.

Barrel Length: 5 ½”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a thin quarter-round blade fixed to the top of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are Mother of Pearl with a raised Buffalo in the right grip while the left grip is smooth. There is a thin chip missing along the inside bottom edge of the left grip, creating a gap between the grip and the bottom of the grip, and a thin sliver missing from the bottom rear inside corner of the right grip. Otherwise, the grips fit the grip frame well. There are a few very light marks in the left grip along with barely perceptible scratches from polishing. The detail in the Buffalo is sharp. The grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: The finish is nickel plated, with the cylinder pin, ejector rod button, trigger and screw heads given a highly polished blue finish.

Finish Originality: The finishes are not original.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling shows light wear. There is light to moderate erosion scattered throughout the bore.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its current metal finish. There are tiny spots of light pitting under the finish scattered over the surfaces. There are also light scratches from sanding and a few tiny dings under the finish in the left side of the frame. The surfaces show swirl marks from polishing and a few light handing marks, with a few tiny dings in the cylinder along with a very light partial drag line. There is a deep ding and a small scuff mark in the trigger guard and another scuff mark in the backstrap. The hammer checkering shows light wear. The markings are shallow and the patent dates are hard to read in spots. Overall, this revolver rates in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. The cylinder lock-up is very tight with a tiny amount of play. The trigger pull is crisp and the hammer is easily cocked. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army handgun is a single action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six rounds. It was designed for the US government service revolver trials of 1873 by Colt’s Manufacturing Company and adopted as the standard military service revolver until 1892. Although the SAA has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths, its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. Colt has discontinued its production twice, but brought it back due to excessive demand. This revolver is a 1st Generation Intermediate Black Powder SAA model with a 5 ½” barrel chambered in .45 Colt. The revolver has been refinished in nickel with a bright blue finish applied to the screw heads and other small parts. The grips are Mother of Pearl with a raised Buffalo in the right grip that really set-off the nickel finish. This revolver is in about Very Good condition as refinished with about 97% of its current finish remaining. The bore is dark with light wear in the rifling and light to moderate erosion scattered throughout, but the cylinder lockup is about as good as that found on most modern guns just out of the box. All Colt SAA revolvers are collectible, with only the price decided by the finish. In its refinished condition, this great looking revolver is also perfect for Cowboy Action Shooting, especially with so little effort required to cock the hammer, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the shooters outbid the collectors on this one.

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This Antique single action revolver CAN be transferred/sold in California. 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.