Custom Pair Colt Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4″ Blue/CCH .45 Revolvers, 1990
SOLD FOR: $4500
LSB#: 220516HE023, 220516HE024
Make: Colt
Model: Custom Pair Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: SA93627, SA93619
Year of Manufacture: 1990
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolvers with Side Loading Gate Cylinders
Markings: The left side of each barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. The top of each barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of each frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2,72 JAN.19,75” and with the “Rampant Colt” logo. Each revolver’s frame, frontstrap and backstrap are marked with their serial number. The frontstraps and backstraps are each marked “GS51” and “GS58”, respectively. The left front of each trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle. The fronts of the cylinders are marked “93627” and “93619”, respectively. The rear of each is marked “45”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sights are blades fixed to the barrels. Each blade has been filed down notably. The rear sights are square grooves in the top straps.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut panels. Each set of grips shows faint handling wear with only a few scattered small marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color with Bright Polished Hammers
Finish Originality: The hammers have been modified. Otherwise, the finish is Original.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in either bore.
Overall Condition:
SA93627: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some leading edges. There are some minor nicks and scuffs at the muzzle-end of the barrel and along the ejector housing. There are infrequent small spots of faint surface oxidation, most are on the left frame flat. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The action shows minor operational wear with a very thin, faint turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.
SA93619: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at the front edge of the ejector housing. The cylinder has minor turn-wear. There are a few scattered light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The actions function properly. The cylinder locks up with light play on each chamber. The mainsprings appear to have been lightened or replaced, resulting in a light, smooth hammer pull. The hammers, in addition to being polished bright, have each had the spurs re-profiled. SA93627’s spur is angled to the right, SA93619’s to the left. We did not fire these handguns. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Each revolver comes in a maroon cardboard Colt box with serial-matching Colt Custom Shop label, orange “stop-sign” hang-tag, two-piece styrofoam inserts and an assortment of factory paperwork including manuals.
Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production of 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 other chamberings would soon follow.
This is a very interesting pair of SAA revolvers made in 1990 by the Colt Custom Shop. They are chambered for .45 Colt with 4 3/4″ barrels and smooth walnut stocks. The hammers have been polished bright and re-profiled, with one spur angled out to the right and the other out to the left. The revolvers are in Fine-Excellent condition, showing little sign of use with bright bores and strong mechanics. This would be a nice set for the aspiring fast-draw shooter or an addition to a Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!