1st Year Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA .38 Special Revolver, 1956 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2100
LSB#: 210923SS71
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 1931SA
Year of Manufacture: 1956 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, the left is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 38 SPECIAL”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT 19. 1871 / JULY 2, 72 JAN. 19, 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle at the front and “P” at the rear, the right of the trigger guard is marked “5”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “1931SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo. The front face of the cylinder, the rear face of the frame (under the right grip panel) and the rear face of the loading gate are each marked with assembly number “131”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch at the rear of a groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece stag panels. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges, most notable at the muzzle. The cylinder has some scattered light turn wear. There is some minor surface oxidation toward the bottoms of the grip straps. There are a few other scattered minor nicks and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The sear appears to be installed incorrectly. The hammer does not catch at a safety notch and at full cock the hammer has excessive over-travel. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play side-to-side and barely perceptible end-shake on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder’s bushing is separate from the cylinder. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army is perhaps the quintessential old west handgun, produced for more than a century, serving the U.S. Army as its sidearm from 1873 into the first world war and captivating audiences on the silver screen. The SAA was discontinued by Colt as it tooled up to provide for the WWII war effort, and it was thought by Colt that the design was obsolete, swing-out cylinder revolvers had been around for half a century and autoloaders were gaining in popularity. Then, with the advent of television and western programs such as Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, and The Gene Autry Show, American interest in the guns that won the west was reborn. In 1956, Colt reintroduced the Single Action Army, this new production run now referred to as the 2nd Generation SAA’s, and this example comes from that first year of production. It appears in Fine condition with a great bore, and about 96% of its metal finish remaining, but there is a mechanical issue which brings its rating down to Good. The gun is chambered for the common .38 Special cartridge, so if you choose to shoot it, ammunition should be easy to find in a variety of loads. It should be fairly easy to address the issue with the sear engagement. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection as one of the earliest of the second generation, but it will also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
