Before I developed an interest in the Pre-War N frame S&W revolvers about 5 years ago I had spent the previous 25 years dabbling in Colt Single Action Army revolvers. I had some nice ones from time to time but because of constant trading/selling I never really had much of a collection. Regardless, once I caught the S&W bug I divested myself of all remaining Colts. However, recently I found myself missing my favorite twirling iron a great deal and decided to acquire a nice 1st generation Colt SAA. I took advantage of the recent online summer sale (20% off during a short 3 hour window) at Collectors Firearms in Houston and bought an all original .38 WCF with a 4.75” barrel and equipped with a long flute Model 1878 D. A. Army cylinder in place of the standard SAA cylinder.

In April of 1913 Colt began a 2+ year project of assembling SAA’s utilizing Model 1878 D. A. Army revolver cylinders. The Colt Model 1878 D. A. Army revolver was discontinued in 1905 and a number of excess cylinders were available in storage. With a couple of modifications Colt was able to use the cylinders to manufacture roughly 1400 SAA and Bisley revolvers. With a few exceptions the guns are all serial numbered between 330001 and 331479.

The gun I bought and just received is one of those revolvers. It is in very nice condition and it is all original including matching grips. It is the first long flute SAA I have ever owned. This special production run of long flute cylinder SAA’s was given the high polish blue finish similar to the earlier turn of the century guns. The case hardened frame on my gun has mostly turned brown with a little color here and there. One nice thing about the long flute SAA’s is you don’t leave much of a drag line when you rotate the cylinder, and I plan on giving this Colt some range time! Anyway, enough of the preliminaries.....below are a few pictures of the gun. Besides nice condition and all matching serial numbers note the clean screw slots, impeccable grip fit, matching grip serial numbers, matching assembly numbers (586) on the loading gate and right rear frame flat, and tight ejector housing fit to the frame. You can click on the pictures for a closer look. Hope you enjoy!

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Terry Lester

Better pictures posted of the entire gun - first and last pictures above.

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Terry Lester

Terry.
I would call that one a "Dandy"
I also took advantage of Collectors sale.
With the discount mine was only about double price (LOL)
I also have a 4 3/4 Long Flute 45

I would love to see pictures of that gun!

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Terry Lester

I only have one pic on my computer (need to take more)
This is not the gun I bought from Collectors sale

Attached Images

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If I had one that looked like that it would be the wall paper on my computer! Beautiful Colt!

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Terry Lester

Couple years ago when I traded a Redhawk for my nickel Smith 19-4 the seller said an old gentleman friend had a Pre-war Colt SAA for sale. I was sent a picture of it and was stunned to see a beautiful stag handled long flute .45 with a barrel cut (ugg!) to about 6”. I asked the price and it was something like $3500. He was a collector and knew what he had. I couldn’t afford it.

Too bad, but with a name like Wyatt Burp you must have some other Colt SAA’s - maybe a Buntline Special!

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Terry Lester