2nd Gen Colt Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4” .357 Magnum Revolver, 1970 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,160.00
LSB#: LSB250528DG025
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 52903SA
Year of Manufacture: 1970 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357 MAGNUM”. 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” and with the “Rampant Colt” logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “55260SA”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “55260SA” under the grip. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and the left rear with “V”, the right of the trigger guard is marked “E”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “M903” and the rear with a rampant colt. The rear of the loading gate and right-rear of the frame are each marked with assembly number “62”. The inside of each factory grip panel is hand-scribed “754”.
Barrel Length: 4.75”
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 smooth black synthetic with walnut edges. The grips have some light nicks and scuffing on their bottom faces. There are a few minor scratches present throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Chrome
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright with sharp rifling. There is heavy build up of fouling present in the bore. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are some scattered small scratches throughout the surface. The action shows minor operational wear with turn-wear on the cylinder mostly in the lead-in grooves. There is finish loss on the cylinder, barrel, and frame. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The timing is good. The action functions correctly. 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: 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.
This example is a .357 Magnum chambered 4.75” barrel model made in 1970. The gun is in Fine condition, showing signs of use, but retaining good mechanics and a great bore. The revolver retains the great majority of its original metal finish. This would make a neat addition to a Colt collection as one of the .357 Magnum second generation revolvers and with a little work on the timing, should still be a fun shooter as previous owners have found. Please see our photos and good luck! -N.P.
