If you look at page 49, you'll see a SAA listed w/ SN 142743, That's mine !!

 

Thanks for the feedback! Several blog members have used my serial number list to discover interesting information about their Colt SAA revolvers. For example, Pittstate03 learned that his gun (SN: 117844) had been carried by hired gunman J. C. Johnson during the "Johnson County War" in Wyoming (1889-1893). During this conflict, a group of cattle barons employed several gunmen from Texas to kill and intimidate small ranch owners who they saw as a threat to their livelihood. Several people were murdered before the US Army was called in. They rounded up the gunman and confiscated their firearms. Pittstate03 learned that his Colt was documented as one of these guns.

Rusty Edwards

 

There is a story I ran across a couple of years ago, about this part of the Johnson County War.
I thought I would share it if you don't mind.

https://up.picr.de/35179551gs.pdf

 

Very nice, Rusty. Thank you for sharing.

 

Yes, Thank You!!!

 

Rusty that list you have is amazing. Do you have one as well for lever guns?

 

azcbpk9, thanks for the feedback! Sorry, I only maintain a list for 1st Generation Colt Single Action Revolvers.

Rusty Edwards

 

No worries and thank you for the reply. I have a couple colts on your list and hoping to find a few more that are still hidden out there

 

Here is the link to the list of 1st Generation Colt SAA revolvers owned by famous lawmen, outlaws, and other noteworthy characters.

http://www.swshana.com/gun_website/Colt_SAA_SNs.pdf

NOTE: AFTER YOU'VE OPENED THE LIST, BE SURE TO REFRESH YOUR BROWSER TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE LATEST UPDATE.

New SNs added during the 5/1/2018 update.

• 55096
• 110935
• 132407
• 139970
• 167520
• 237809
• 355626
• 356015

SNs added during the previous update.

• 2717
• 6298
• 6310
• 7047
• 11088
• 16369
• 27187
• 52166
• 82483
• 85949
• 117089
• 215281

Your feedback is appreciated. Thank you!

Rusty Edwards

Hi Mr. Edwards,
my name is Roland Vladut, SAA collector and gun dealer from Bucharest, Romania. I have 7pcs. 1st gen. Colts in my collection :
1. .44-40 SN 64361 (1881) Barrel =7.5 inch
2. .455 Eley SN 76682 (1882) nickel, barrel = 5.5 inch (London address)
3. .45 c SN 165135 (1896) blue, barrel = 7.5 inch
4. .45 c SN 173919 (1897) Blue, barrel = 4¾
5. .44-40 SN 345862 (1923) Nickel, barrel=5.5 inch
6. .32-30 SN 345416 (1923) blue, barrel= 7.5 inch
7. .45c SN 7275 (1874) US Ainsworth inspected, blue, barrel=7.5, cylinder Nr. 8036

Are the above-mentioned SAAs interesting for your list?

 

Roland:

Thank you for contacting me from Romania through the Colt Forum. You have a wonderful collection of 1st Generation Colt Single Action Revolvers.

The purpose of my list is to identify historic figures (outlaws, lawmen, gunfighters, soldiers, etc.) who owned a particular 1st Generation Colt Single Action Revolver. My intent is not to collect the names of ordinary people who happen to own one or more of these guns. I hope this makes sense.

Rusty Edwards

 

Hi Rusty,

I was thinking about my Ainsworth SAA SN 7275 which acording to Kopec, Graham and Moore it might be a 7th Cavalry gun and maybe even one which was present at Little Bih Horn.

Best Regards,
Roland Vladut

 

This entry has two links. The first will take you to the 1st Generation Colt SAA Serial Number List. This document has info about several thousand 1st Generation Colt SAA revolvers owned/issued to "noteworthy" people and organizations, like Wells Fargo, the 7th US Cavalry, Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders," etc.

http://www.swshana.com/gun_website/1st-Gen-SNs.pdf

The next link will provide a list of 1st Generation Colt SAA revolvers owned by 360 historically significant people, like John Wesley Hardin, Johnny Ringo, Cole Younger, and Major Marcus Reno.

http://www.swshana.com/gun_website/Noteworthy_People_SNs.pdf

After they've been opened, you can bookmark these links, or save the documents to your computer by selecting “File” and then “Save As” from your browser menu.

Please post feedback to this thread. Thank you.

Rusty Edwards

 

Awesome Work! I have 161077. 18 below Kid Curry Logan's gift to C.H. Smith! meaningless, I suppose....but very cool!

THANKS for a great reference list, Ruster!!

 

Excellent work, Rusty. It's appreciated.

My 1940 PW/PW SAA is No. 357231, toward the last of those made/listed. It is not on your list yet. The factory letter shows matching
original 45 Colt and 5.5 in barrel. Blue. It is engraved, resembling Wilbur Glahn's work with scroll pattern. Finished with plain
genuine ivory stocks.
Spent career time with the US Army and US Immigration(US Border Patrol-graduate).

Thanks-
LtCol Ridge Marriott

 

Your list has our SAA #6828, issued to the 5th calvary during the Indian Wars prior to its time with the NY militia where it sat in rack 77. NY 77 is carved into the original walnut grips. Our grandfather purchased it for protection as a bank teller in 1915. Kopec has personally inspected it and it is is in unbelievable condition.

 

updating background on SAA #6828



I failed to note that #6828 is in the series that MIGHT have been issued to the 7th in 1874....My Kopek letter states it was in the series that was issued to both the 7th and 5th but he leans more to the 5th....however that still means that is was carried by a trooper that tracked down and confronted the warriors who had participated in Little Big Horn. The men of the 5th met the warriors at the Battle of Slim Buttes after the horrendous 'Mud or Horsemeat March'..... After General Custer and 264 of his men died at the Battle of Little Big Horn, troopers of the 5th rode after the Sioux to avenge the deaths of their fellow cavalrymen. The punitive ride quickly became known as the Horsemeat March, one of the most brutal forced marches in American military history. Men and horses suffered from starvation, but they eventually caught up with the Indians. Under the leadership of Col. Wesley Merritt, a Civil War veteran, the 5th was instrumental in defeating the Indians at the Battle of Slim Buttes. It was the first significant victory for the army following Little Bighorn.

 

our family treasure

Your list has our SAA #6828, issued to the 5th calvary during the Indian Wars prior to its time with the NY militia where it sat in rack 77. NY 77 is carved into the original walnut grips. Our grandfather purchased it for protection as a bank teller in 1915. Kopec has personally inspected it and it is is in unbelievable condition.

 

Congratulations on having a great piece of history! You said that Mr. Kopec inspected it. Did he issue a written report, i.e., an authentication letter? If so, could you post it here? We'd also love to see a photo of this early Colt SAA revolver. Thank you.

Rusty Edwards

 

Great list of information....thanks

 

Thank you for the list
chad45

 

Rusty: after I get my last two back from John Kopec , I'll have six or eight to add to your list , Larry Anderson Georgetown Calif

 

Fantastic vagabond88! I'm always looking for new 1st generation serial numbers to add to my list. Just as a reminder, I'm only looking for the serial numbers of 1st generation Colt SAA revolvers owned by lawmen, outlaws, gunfighters, cowboys, soldiers, military units, famous mining companies, stagecoach or security companies, and other interesting people or organizations. Just because it was shipped to a particular retailer (like a hardware store in St. Louis) won't get it added to the list.

Rusty Edwards

 

Found 128083 today waiting to see it in person

 

How do I go about doing this? I have a 1983 SSA and want to know more about it.

 

I recommend that you get a letter from Colt to find something about your 1983 Colt SAA revolver. This will show when it was manufactured, the configuration when it left the factory (barrel length, finish, type of stocks, etc.), as well as the name of the place it was shipped. In most cases, the identity of the entity where the Cot was shipped will be a retail store or wholesaler; however, in some instances it may show the name and address of an individual. I suspect that this will be about all the information you'll be able to learn about a Colt SAA revolver made in 1983. I hope this helps.

Rusty Edwards

 

Hello Rusty,

Keith Cochran added 2 of the Colts in my collection to his book and they are already on your list. #4238 - a Rough Rider gun - #47614 - a New York Militia gun. (also in Kopec's book)

Not sure if this one qualifies, but here it is: #10280 - Colt Letter - Factory Refurbish - United States Government Commanding Officer Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, April 17, 1903 (200)

 

hi Ruster, I joined today in this forum. I recently purchased a Colt Single Action U.S. nickel plated serial number 50254. Can you let me have some news about this revolver? you can shoot with this old revolver? I can even send you some pictures.

Many thanks and Regards

Emilio (from Genoa Italy)

 

Emilio, your Colt Revolver (SN: 50254) is listed on my registry of historic firearms (see link below). Congratulations! According to the book "Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers, A Continuing Study" by Kopec & Fenn, after your gun was altered to the Artillery configuration, it was issued to Troop A, 1st Nevada Volunteer Cavalry. This unit was in the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection from 2/4/1889 to 7/4/1902.

Please use the lower section of the Colt SAA blog to post information about your Colt SAA revolver. Include some photos, as many of us would love to see your gun.

Rusty Edwards

 

Rusty, I thank you for the information. As soon as possible I will put the photos.

Regards

Emilio Castellana

 

Rusty good morning. here are the photos, I look forward to your comment.

Regards

Emilio