[Gunner1969]

Hello everyone!
I am new to Pistolsmith and excited about my new Colt revolver. My father-in-law has given me a single action Colt that I can't quite identify.
Markings are as follows:
- No patent dates on the gun at all.
- "Colt cal. 44" marked on barrel.
- The number "40" stamped under the frame just in front of the trigger guard.
- The number "40" stamped on the cylinder on the feed side.
- Colt emblem on the left side of the frame.
I haven't been able to find a pistol with similar markings in any pictures or descriptions that I have seen online. The grips are wood with silver colt medallions.
The barrel measures 4.75".
Could the serial number actually be 40? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Scottly]

Without a pic, it's only a guess...but it sounds like a 3rd gen single action army.

 

[Gunner1969]

More info

I took the gun to a knowledgeable dealer in the area and he is confident that this is actually serial number 40 which was produced in 1873. He removed the grips and the number 40 was also stamped in 2 more places on the frame.
He thought that a .44 special was not produced that year so the barrel and cylinder were possibly replaced.
I'm a little confused because as I mentioned before it appears that the number 40 is also stamped on the cylinder.
Any ideas?

 

[Gunner1969]

Thanks Scottly! I would attach pics if I knew how.

 

[dfariswheel]

You might get a larger audience of SAA experts over on the Colt forum.

Colt Forum

An 1873 Colt SAA would not have silver medallions in the grips. That came MUCH later, probably in the post-WWII days.
In 1873 only 7 1/2" barrels were available and the barrel would have the Colt company address on the barrel.

I have seen replicas with a slightly altered Colt Pony emblem.

In any case, post on the Colt forum and some pros will help.

To post pictures on the Colt forum:
Sign up and start a post.

On the posting window you'll see an icon series on the top where the options for font and color etc. are.
One icon you'll see is a green square. Hover your cursor over it and it'll identify as "Image". Click on it.
This will allow you to find the pictures on your computer and drop them into the post.
After the images appear, click on each image and it'll give you option on how big you want and where to align them on the page.

 

[Gunner1969]

Thanks

Thanks Dfaris! Will do.

 

[Gunner1969]

I have posted it on the Colt Forum Dfaris. The title is "SAA serial number 40?" Check out the pics if you get a chance and let me know if those provide any more clues. Thanks again for your help!