Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $5,176.00
Few American revolvers carry the historical significance of the Colt Single Action Army, a design that became synonymous with the American frontier and remained in commercial production well into the twentieth century. Manufactured in 1903, this First Generation Colt SAA is chambered in .41 Long Colt and features a 4 3/4 inch barrel, original blue and case colored finish, and checkered black hard rubber grips numbered to the revolver. Retaining approximately 80 percent of its original metal finish, with strong remaining case colors and a mechanically functional action, this early twentieth century Colt remains in Very Good condition.
Identification
MMA#: 260804JM003
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, First Generation
Serial Number: 244631
Year of Manufacture: 1903
Caliber: .41 Colt (.41 Long Colt)
Action Type: Six Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate
Barrel Length: 4 3/4 Inches
Finish: Blue and Case Color
Classification: Curio & Relic
Sights / Optics
The front sight is a fixed blade mounted to the barrel.
The rear sight is a V shaped notch machined into the top strap, visible when the hammer is cocked.
This traditional fixed sight arrangement is characteristic of First Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers.
Grip Configuration & Condition
The revolver is fitted with two piece checkered black hard rubber grips featuring the Rampant Colt emblem within an oval near the top of each panel.
The upper interior edges of both panels are marked “4631,” corresponding to the final four digits of the revolver's serial number.
The grips exhibit relatively even light handling wear, along with scattered small nicks and scratches.
The checkering remains generally well defined.
Overall grip condition: Fine.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
This revolver retains approximately 80 percent of its original metal finish.
Scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches are present across the metal surfaces.
The case hardened colors remain largely strong, although some areas exhibit muting and fading.
Finish loss is visible along leading edges, with additional scattered areas of light surface oxidation.
The action exhibits light operational wear.
The screw heads remain sharp, while the factory markings range from clear to worn but remain legible.
Overall condition: Very Good.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright with well defined rifling and scattered freckled erosion.
In the original evaluator's opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly during mechanical evaluation.
The cylinder features a removable bushing and locks into position with minor play at each chamber.
The single action trigger has a crisp break.
The revolver was not test fired.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
No box, paperwork, or additional accessories are included.
Our Assessment
The Colt Single Action Army, introduced in 1873, remains one of the most recognizable handguns in American history. Originally adopted as a U.S. military sidearm, the revolver became equally associated with civilian life across the American West. Its simple single action mechanism, durable construction, and distinctive appearance established a design that has endured through multiple generations of production.
This example belongs to Colt's First Generation, manufactured between 1873 and 1941, and dates specifically to 1903. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the Single Action Army had already secured its place in American firearms history, even as newer double action revolvers and semi automatic pistols were becoming increasingly common. Colt nevertheless continued producing the SAA for customers who valued its familiar handling and established reputation.
Chambered in .41 Colt, commonly called .41 Long Colt, this revolver represents one of the traditional commercial chamberings offered during the First Generation production period. Although less widely remembered today than the .45 Colt or .44-40 Winchester, the .41 Colt cartridge enjoyed considerable popularity in late nineteenth and early twentieth century revolvers.
This particular example retains approximately 80 percent of its original blue and case colored finish, with notably strong remaining case colors despite scattered handling wear and light oxidation. Its checkered black hard rubber grips are numbered to the revolver, with both panels bearing the final four digits of the serial number. The bore retains well defined rifling with scattered erosion, and the action functions correctly with minor cylinder play.
For collectors of early Colt revolvers, this 1903 First Generation Single Action Army preserves several desirable period characteristics, including its original finish, numbered grips, traditional 4 3/4 inch barrel, and historic .41 Colt chambering. Its surviving condition provides an informative example of Colt's commercial revolver production during the transition from the frontier era into the twentieth century.
The Mt. McCoy Auctions Difference
Every firearm featured in the Mt. McCoy Auctions Vault is professionally photographed, carefully cataloged, and thoroughly documented to preserve its history and condition. Our archival records provide collectors with detailed information regarding originality, condition, mechanical function, and historical significance, creating a lasting resource long after each auction has concluded.
