[Hondo44]

Welcome to this forum TTom.

I agree, an 1883 built SAA. A black powder frame, with heavy chamfer on cyl front edge, and screw retention of the cylinder pin of course. Checkering on hammer spur should have a border on all 4 sides (double lines at the bottom), coneshaped firing pin, and is fixed.

The second year of major shipments of 4 3/4" and 5 1/2" barrel lengths. Last year for the flat bottomed trigger guard until it returned in 1917.

What's the barrel length? Any chance there is a US on the frame behind the patent dates?

 

[Hondo44]

Barrel length is 5 1/2", and yes it is stamped US.
Thanks for your help

If the serial numbers all match, it could be a legit US Military contract gun refurbished and cut to 5 1/2" at the Colt factory: a 1st category "Artillery Model" (collector's term). If #s don't match it's been refurbished at the Springfield Armory, a 2nd category "Artillery Model".

 

[Hondo44]

Actually original walnut will look better than replacement walnut unless it's several grades above standard walnut. Dave Lanara, the premium SAA restorer, has a very difficult time acquiring walnut equal to period SAA walnut for grips. Environmental conditions have changed and walnut does not grow with the same density as it once did many years ago. He has to search for sources of old walnut removed from very old homes, etc., to get the proper grain walnut for SAA restorations.

 

[Hondo44]

But he's been successful in locating a supply as of last year.

I don't know how he finds it but he always seems to. The stories of the sources he finds for the old walnut are always interesting. The effort he makes for authentic Colt restoration is just incredible. The correct walnut is just one aspect.

Jim