Colt SSA
- Thread starter kxkid
- Start date
Jim Watson
New member
Proofhouse.com says late 1902 - first number for 1903 was 238,000.
Version?
It is a standard Single Action Army (that's SAA, not SSA) with no unusual characteristics that I can see in the pictures, and in a common caliber. Caliber .38 WCF is commonly known as .38-40. It was made after Colt qualified their guns for smokeless powder in 1900 Current production .38-40 ammunition is no hotter than it was back then.
If you are unfamiliar with the type, a gunsmith examination would be a good idea. But it looks in decent shape and it is probably shootable. Factory ammunition is expensive, nearly everybody who shoots the old calibers very much handloads for them.
Version?
It is a standard Single Action Army (that's SAA, not SSA) with no unusual characteristics that I can see in the pictures, and in a common caliber. Caliber .38 WCF is commonly known as .38-40. It was made after Colt qualified their guns for smokeless powder in 1900 Current production .38-40 ammunition is no hotter than it was back then.
If you are unfamiliar with the type, a gunsmith examination would be a good idea. But it looks in decent shape and it is probably shootable. Factory ammunition is expensive, nearly everybody who shoots the old calibers very much handloads for them.
Winchester_73
New member
You have whats referred to as a Colt SAA (not SSA) aka Single Action Army. This gun is also called the model P (Colts catalog name at the time), the model of 1873 (the year of its introduction) and also, the "peacemaker".
Judging by the SN of 237XXX (I think, its hard t tell for sure. It could be 287XXX) it was made in 1902. This is a first generation SAA. First generation guns are pre WWII, and many were for black powder rounds but yours may be smokeless. These guns should be treated with care and respect. Your grips may be replaced, as they took too good when compared to the guns condition. The gun was most likely originally blued, some were factory nickel as well. Your caliber on the barrel is 38 WCF aka 38 Winchester Center Fire, which is also commonly called 38-40. The barrel length appears to be the artillery length, aka 5.5 in. To check the barrel length measure from the cylinder face out.
So whats the story behind this gun? Where did you find such a piece?
Judging by the SN of 237XXX (I think, its hard t tell for sure. It could be 287XXX) it was made in 1902. This is a first generation SAA. First generation guns are pre WWII, and many were for black powder rounds but yours may be smokeless. These guns should be treated with care and respect. Your grips may be replaced, as they took too good when compared to the guns condition. The gun was most likely originally blued, some were factory nickel as well. Your caliber on the barrel is 38 WCF aka 38 Winchester Center Fire, which is also commonly called 38-40. The barrel length appears to be the artillery length, aka 5.5 in. To check the barrel length measure from the cylinder face out.
So whats the story behind this gun? Where did you find such a piece?
I know its saa but my phone liked ssa better for some reason. Its been in my family for a while. Its my great grandfather's gun. My dads cousin stole it from his mother and it end up in police impound. My dads aunt tracked it down and my dad got it out and had those grips put on since the ones that were on there were not original and also had some internals fixed with original parts to get it back in working order.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
royal barnes
New member
If the mfg. date is 1902 then it is OK with smokeless powder but I would have it checked out by a competent gunsmith before firing anything in it.The grips are right for the gun but could still be a replacement. The metal surfaces are pretty much what you would expect for a working gun that was carried a lot.
Congratulations! What everyone else has said, and I'd add that I'd get the letter from Colt chronicling the gun's provenance (initial route from factory/sale)--even though you know it's been in your family awhile. A couple hundred bucks as I recall. Outstanding gun and great caliber (what Butch or Sundance were reported to have carried!) Georgia Arms makes a nice round for this at a not so abhorent price, should you choose to shoot it.
The gun also appears to have the (more) rounded triggerguard profile unique in the SAA's entire run (to date)--which were on the guns only a relatively few years starting approximately ca 1900-1902 (?) or so , IIRC--a little known factoid to all but diehard Colt nuts.
The gun also appears to have the (more) rounded triggerguard profile unique in the SAA's entire run (to date)--which were on the guns only a relatively few years starting approximately ca 1900-1902 (?) or so , IIRC--a little known factoid to all but diehard Colt nuts.
Last edited: