Colt Late Smokeless Powder SAA (ser. no. range 339000-357000) Description

single action sales continued to diminish after 1920, as sales of semi-automatics increased. Only 19,000 SAAs were sold in the twenty year period, with only 100 being produced in 1936. The complete serial number is visible only on the frame, but many cylinders are stamped on the rear with the last two or three digits. In 1928, the caliber marking on the left side of the barrel was changed to read "Colt Single Action Army," followed by the caliber. In 1930, the "V" notch rear sight was replaced with a square groove to match the wider front sight, and in 1935, the finish on the hammer was changed from color case hardened to blue with polished sides. Colt special order grip medallions also made a three step, transitional change by 1923. Since 1909, deep set bronze medallions on pearl, ivory or checkered walnut grips had been recessed into the grips and both horses faced forward. They were first changed to a less expensive, flush mount design, still facing forward and then within the same year to a flush mount, with one facing forward and one backward, a cost cutting measure which required only one die. The finish on the checkered wood grips was also changed from a varnish to an oil finish in 1927.