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COLT SAA SINGLE ACTION ARMY 1st GEN 45 X 4-3/4” BBL, SHIPPED TO COPPER QUEEN MINE, BISBEE, ARIZONA TERRITORY 1902, A TURBULENT ERA FOR BORDER STATES
Guns International #: 102426572 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Colt Revolvers - Single Action Army - 1st Gen - Colt Revolvers - Frontier
Seller's Information
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Seller: victorio1sw
Member Since: 8/4/13
State: Texas
Country: United States
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 4
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders.
Description:
Description:
During the first two decades of the 20th century, there was much unrest in Mexico. The largely U.S.-owned Haciendas (Plantations) were using near-slave labor to generate profits. The workers knew there was no way to better themselves and farm properties of their own. The long-time Mexican President, Porfirio Diaz, was exiled to France in 1911. A rapid succession of other presidents followed, always promising to support the workers, but they never did – and were often assassinated. A group of Revolutionaries such as Pancho Villa, Huerta, Carranza, and Zapata waged wars against the Mexican Central Government. Pancho Villa attacked the El Paso area three times, but his 1916 raid on Columbus, NM gained national U. S. attention. With the start of WWI, foreign powers tried to raise the Mexican threat against the USA, by running arms and ammunition, and this led to U.S. Marines attacking and occupying Vera Cruz in 1914. Germany also was interested in destabilizing the Mexican border, and was involved in the Plan of San Diego movement for Mexico to re-take the U.S. states they lost in 1848. Headlines in newspapers 1908-1920 reported frequent Mexican raids on U.S. border towns and isolated ranches, the de-railing of a passenger train with attempts to kill everyone on board, and countless other border incidents that are way beyond the scope of this history brief.
Needless to say, if you lived anywhere near the Mexican border 1900-20, the packing of firearms for self-defense was highly recommended.
This Colt has matching serial numbers on frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. In this serial range, Colt did not add partial serial numbers to barrels or cylinders, as their improved dimensional quality control standards made this unnecessary. The gate number 266 also appears on the underside of the frame, as gates required individual hand fitting. The gun cocks crisply and locks up with unusual tightness, almost as if a new gun. When hammer is drawn back slowly, the cylinder rotates until the lock bolt pops into its lock notch entry groove. Continuing to draw the hammer to full cock advances the cylinder into its lock-up position. Both the safety and half cock notches are fully-functional (not broken) and in the correct places, so unlike 95% of these Colt SAA's offered online, this hammer needs no re-building. The new cylinder pin contributes to this gun’s tight lockup and perfect timing.
Note that when hammer is in half-cock position, chambers should line up with the Center of the Loading Port – which this gun does correctly. So many Colt SAA’s have recut broken half cock notches, which leaves the hammer at a “partial” half cock position, and the chambers off-centered to the gate port.
All markings are deep and clear, including the serial numbers, barrel address, patent dates, circled rampant Colt, “45 Colt” on side of barrel, and factory inspector marks. This gun’s surfaces range from a smooth dark bluish patina to a light grey in holster-worn areas. Again, the cylinder pin itself is a new replacement, retaining 100% blue.
The bore has strong lands and grooves, generally smooth, but with evenly scattered areas of minor porosity. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this one a superior 7 to 8 bore condition. The steel front sight remains in its original 0.52” wide x 0.29” tall configuration, and was never trimmed down. The ejector head is perfectly straight and fits nicely to the underside of barrel. (So many of these heads are bent due to pounding out stuck cases).
The incredibly-fine grips retain sharp checkering, and fit perfectly almost as if original. However, these grips were installed to replace the original set, which had been broken.
The screws in this gun are the originals, and each is way-above-average, showing much blue and undamaged screw slots.
The Colt Factory Letter Confirms 45 Colt, 4-3/4", Blue, Stocks Not Listed, and Shipped to Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Co., Bisbee, Arizona Territory on Jan 3, 1902, one of 10 Guns. The “Stocks Not Listed” entry simply means that the grips were the standard type used at the time (Hard Rubber). This letter from Colt cost $150. [Note: The Colt Archivist told me that most of the Copper Queen guns did not show the actual shipping location in the ledger. Previous Archivists just assumed that the shipment went to Douglass, Bisbee, or Morenci, AZ. The shipping ledger for this gun #220109 reads “Bisbee, A. T.”].
It should also be mentioned that a high percentage of the Copper Queen guns were in the then-popular 32-20 caliber. While the 32-20 was great for target shooting, it was not adequate for self defense.
In some cases, I can ship directly to a C&R licensed individual. Otherwise, this Colt must be shipped to an FFL dealer of your choice.
Terms:
No International sales. Not being sold as a shooter, but as a functional collector’s Colt SAA. If you want to shoot any older Colt, first take it to a gunsmith and have it checked out.
Three day inspection period, but ask questions prior to buying (see additional notes on returns at bottom). Additional pictures sent on request. Send me an email, and we can set up a phone call to discuss the details of this antique gun.
See my 24 years of feedback ratings on eBay (user name: victorio1sw). Member NRA, TGCA, CCA, RSA, and S&WCA.
I accept Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders. No personal checks or Western Union MO’s. Payment must be received with copy of C&R (or FFL) within seven days after sale date, and sent by Priority Mail with Tracking Number provided by buyer. Shipping by FedEx Ground (12” x 8” x 6” box) fully insured for $80.00 (and tracking number provided to buyer). Usually shipping occurs within 3 days after payment received.
Three (3) day Inspection and Return Policy: Only if returned Exactly as Received - Not Disassembled for Inspection, Not Tampered, Not Broken/Chipped/Scratched/Dented/Scuffed, or any Parts Switched. Any Original Documentation sent Must Be Returned with item.
Price: $6,535.00
Curio/Relic: Yes