AMERICAN RIFLEMAN JANUARY 2023 ISSUE

[mauser9]

Received my copy of the American Rifleman Jan. issue and was pleased to see a great pic of the first Colt SAA serial no. 1 on the cover. Also a great review on the SAA model and it's production over the years of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generations plus changes made to this model over the years along with different barrel lengths. Serial no. 1 resides in a private collection and was found in New Hampshire in 1925 article says. Interesting article I thought I would share.

 

[rkwood]

Agree. The issue is a great tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Colt Single Action Army.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I haven't read it yet but I LOVED the magazine cover!!!!

 

[mauser9]

Me too!! Said the SAA serial no.1 sold for over $850,000 I believe. Deeper pockets than I got! LOL

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Rumor has it that Tom Selleck purchased SAA number one. As he's a NRA Director it would be pretty easy for access to it for photos.

 

[chief38]

After shooting S.A.S.S. matches for 20+ years I've got a soft spot for Colt SAA's. I just received the AR magazine last week and just haven't had the chance to read the article yet - but probably will today.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I liked that pic of the "Spin wheel" of all the different options, etc. I'd like one but I don't have the money for a real one. Had a SAA clone from Uberti, nice gun but not a Colt.

 

[loc n load]

Look forward to reading my copy today, it is awaiting my attention, next to my recliner. Being a child of the 50's/60's the Colt peacemaker was the iconic all American revolver.
I have a couple Colt's SA's, one in 44 spl, and 45 LC. They are great shooters, and Beautifully made revolvers.

 

[hyena]

View attachment 606476

I really enjoyed that article. Read it twice. I've always wanted an SAA, just not enough to pony up the price. Many years ago I snagged a Colt poster being given out by my LGS. I built a frame for it, and it's hanging in my study.

 

[lestert357]

Colt SAA's, especially 1st generation guns, can really get ahold of you. I still have a couple…..

Etched panel Frontier Six Shooter from 1880 that i just bought…..

.38 WCF Long Flute from 1914…..

and have sold or traded a bunch that I wish I still had, such as…..

.45 Boxer from 1874 pictured in a Julia auction a couple of months before I bought it at the Baltimore Antique Gunshow (and might get back)…..

a .45 Colt shipped to Las Vegas New Mexico Territory in 1897, about the time TR was recruiting the Rough Riders down there…..

a .45 Colt shipped to Denver in 1902…..

a .45 Colt from 1920…..

and many others that I don't have pictures of. I tried to break the habit by switching to S&W's in 2014 but find myself perpetually drawn back to the Peacemaker. I guess that's what 1950's era western movies and TV programs did for me…..

 

[mrcvs]

Here's a few of mine. A Colt Cavalry and a Colt Artillery Model revolver. Lever Action Bill has since fixed the hammer and trigger on the Cavalry Model revolver and it now sets properly.

 

[mauser9]

Awesome pics of those SAA guns!! Must be a thrill to just own one. Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[lestert357]

mrcvs, absolutely incredible looking Cav and Artillery!

Who is the Government inspector on your Cav?

Was the Artillery reworked at Colt or at Springfield Arsenal?

Thanks for posting those world class Colts!

 

[mrcvs]

The Cavalry Model is a later one, the sub inspector being Rinaldo A Carr("R.A.C."). Attached is a photograph of the inspector's initials and the serial number.

I will have to find my Kopec "Gold Seal of Approval" letter to see if the Artillery Model revolver was refurbished at Springfield Armory or Colt's, but, IIRC, it was at the Springfield Armory.

 

[sniper]

I've been a fan of the SAA for 60+ years, economic$ always got in the way. I had a roommate in the Military that had a .22 version. Never had a debate over which...my Single Six or his Colt was better. Shades of Have Gun, Will Travel, Gunsmoke and John Wayne! We just shot 'em and enjoyed. I'm thinking about putting a toe in the water again...my last Single Six was beautiful, but woefully inaccurate. Heritage makes a potful of .22/WMR SAA Clones, but at their price point...QC? Good, bad? Ruger Wrangler? Decisions, decisions!

 

[Waldo]

I liked the article about the 1919A6

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have just one, new and unfired in the original box, manufactured in 1980. It's in the relatively hard-to-get .44 special. My maternal grandfather, according to my mom, had a Colt SAA that he carried when he rode shotgun on the Wells Fargo stage between Bisbee and Tombstone at the turn of the 20th century. Unfortunately, my grandmother sold it before I came of age to be interested.

This one is a keeper.

John


(Click for larger image)

 

[2152hq]

I've had a few. Worked on many and engraved quite a few of them.

I had Ser#4 at one time !!










....But it was in .44RF caliber so it really doesn't count as the 4th SAA ever made.
They were ser#'d in their own range aside from the other 1873 Models.
The 4th SAA in 44RF ever made,,yes.
Still,,it was kind of neat. Chopped bbl and all, which is not unusual for these 44rf's I guess.. Most went to Mexico and further South I am told by those that collect.

I have a decent 32-20 SAA from the early 20's.
Two Bisleys,,one in 44-40,,kind of rough but it shoots OK.
The other is a 'gun in a box'. Gun Show special for $200. Had a 3rd gen 357 cyl on it and no bbl. Buffed and blued parts.
Needs to become something. Hope I get to it.

 

[dobegrant]

I am willing to pay the full price the government paid for the original contract with Colt, $13.30 per unit. ��

 

[mauser9]

Me too dobe!! Might order several at that price.