Colt Single Action Army SAA Black Powder Frame .38 Special Revolver 2005-06
SOLD FOR: $3425
LSB#: 210923SS60
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: S41535A
Year of Manufacture: 2005/2006 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871. / ” JULY. 2, -72. / ” JAN. 19, -75”. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “S41535A”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “S41535A” under the grip. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle. The front face of the cylinder is marked “335” and the rear “38S”. The rear of the loading gate is marked “535”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece stag (actually two pieces joined together, but the grip can only be removed by disassembling the grip frame). The grip is quite well fit to the frame and has no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Nickel
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 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This revolver’s cylinder has a separate bushing. The lockup produces very little play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. 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:
-White cardboard sleeve with serial-matching label
-Two-piece blue cardboard Colt box
-Assortment of factory paperwork including manual
-Cable Lock
Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production the single Action Army; this would be the second time they discontinued production of this glorious revolver. Luckily, the loyal fans of the SAA would not need to wait long as colt would bring back the SAA in 1976 as the “3rd Generation”. Changes were made but the basic SAA was the same, i.e. three standard barrel lengths of 4 ¾”, 5 ½” and 7 ½”, finishes of full nickel or blue, with color case hardened frame, and grips of hard rubber.
Some changes were incorporated in an effort by Colt to keep prices down. One new change was a pressed-in cylinder pin bushing instead of the removable ones used in 1st and 2nd Generation cylinders. Also, the ratchet at the rear of the cylinders was re-shaped, which also necessitated a different shape on the rotating hand. And for some unknown reason, the pitch of the barrel’s threads was changed from the 20 threads per inch (TPI) as used on 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs to 24 TPI for these new ones. Toward the end of 2nd Generation production Colt had begun using some investment cast parts, but the frames continued to be forged. The introductory caliber for 3rd Generation SAAs was .45 Colt, but .357 Magnum came along by the end of 1976.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 2005 or 2006 (Colt’s website appears to think it is both), this revolver has some “later” features which were actually re-introduced from earlier SAAs. The frame is a “black powder frame” with a screw-secured base pin and the cylinder has a removable bushing. The frame also has the early-style three-line patent marking. Chambered for .38 Special with a 4 3/4″ barrel and nickel finish, this is a wonderful modern example of the SAA which shares features of the earliest 1st Generation revolvers. The gun is in Excellent condition, appearing to have seen little if any use. It is equipped with a stag grip, and it’s possible that it was special-ordered from Colt with this grip. Colt’s serial lookup indicates that this revolver was a Custom gun, the grip material is hand-written on the label, and the fit of the grip to the frame is certainly appropriate for a Colt’s Custom gun. This makes it suitable for addition to a collection, but it would also make an attractive “BBQ Gun” or could be used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Please see our photos and good luck!