Identify a "Single Action Army" revolver

[Stope Rat]

Recently came up with this revolver, and would appreciate any assistance in identifying it.

It "appears" to be a Colt Single Action Army - BUT - no manufacturer markings anywhere that I can find.

"Three-screw" frame, with the screw heads on the left side of the frame. It was loaded with .357 Magnum ammunition when I recovered it.

There is no transfer bar. The piece that mounts the trigger guard to the frame appears to be aluminum.

And weirdest of all (at least to me) was the serial number. It was located on the bottom of the frame, forward of the trigger guard, and consisted of "3/" a space and then 4 digits. The "3" is smaller than the remaining digits.

I figure if anyone can ID it - it will be here. Thanks in advance.

 

[Stope Rat]

Here's the serial number.

 

[rcmodel]

I have no idea.
I do believe though that you might find some Italian proof-marks on the front of the frame next to the ejector rod housing.

But I'd bet a bunch of money it has been re-barreled with a lathe turned barrel blank.
Thus the lack of any factory or import markings.

That ramp front sight simply cannot be the correct height for the fixed rear sight notch in the frame.

rc

 

[1KPerDay]

Remove the grips and have a close look at the grip frame for mfg marks.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I vote for Pershawar SAA with a Ruger Blackhawk front sight.

There were a number of SAA clones made in Germany, Spain and Italy in the 70's that could be the culprit too.

 

[Stope Rat]

+1 for 1KperDay

The right side of the grip frame is marked "MADE IN WEST GERMANY"

Grip frame is a silver-colored, soft, non-magnetic metal (OK - I think it's aluminum!). No other marks I could find using a magnifying glass.

The inside surface of the loading gate is marked "112". No proof marks or barrel marking.

Guessing J. P. Sauer & Sohn but still willing to listen to wiser heads than mine.

 

[1KPerDay]

It might be zinc. I have a crappy German pot-metal .22 "SAA" of the same type.

 

[col.lemat]

whatsit?

Made in Germany by Hy Hunter. He started out in Southren California in the 1950's then went to Germany in the late 60's or early 70's

 

[Old Fuff]

Cock the hammer and see if the firing pin is mounted in the frame, and not on the hammer. I also think that someone cut-off the barrel, or mounted a new one, and then added a Ruger front sight. If it's held by a screw make sure they didn't drill all of the way through and into the bore.

 

[rcmodel]

It's gonna be too tall to shoot where it looks anyway I betcha!

rc

 

[Old Fuff]

Of course it's way too tall, but if some yo-yo drilled a screw hole all of the way into the bore I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to shoot it anyway...

 

[Stope Rat]

Old Fuff - firing pin is mounted in the frame (flat faced hammer).

Weapon is serviceable, and was fired. Can't say whether the sights are good or not.

Starting to think the "new barrel" theory may be correct - a Sauer frame and grip, with a blank barrel and a Ruger front sight.

 

[Old Fuff]

The frame-mounted firing pin pretty well confirms that it is a Sauer, made in post-war West Germany, and desended from a revolver made during the 1950's by Hy Hunter in Los Angeles. It should be safe, given that it was undoubtedly proof fired by German authorities. If the front sight is screw-mounted be sure the hole doesn't go all of the way into the bore. Numrich Parts Corp. (www.e-gunparts.com) used to have some parts, and may still have them. I think you are going to have a point-of-aim/point-of-impact problem, but setting that aside I see no reason to not shoot it, but at the same time I wouldn't invest more money of any consequence in it.

 

[32 Magnum]

Check for barrel bore to cylinder bore alignment by cocking the hammer then insert a 5/16" wooden dowel down the bore and feel for cylinder bore edges not lined up.

 

[Stope Rat]

Gentlemen;

Thank you all for the considerate and well-informed responses. I think based on what you've told me, I have it well enough identified for what I needed.

StopeRat