Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA .45 LC Revolver Stagecoach Box 1973 C&R

SOLD FOR: $3250

LSB#: 220916MA008

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 68795SA

Year of Manufacture: 1973 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup), ATF C&R

Caliber: .45 Colt

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 .45”. 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 “K”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “68795SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo, the front face of the cylinder is marked “795”. 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 “636”. The inside of each grip panel has “795” hand-scribed.

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

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 checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops and American eagle at the bottoms. The left panel has a nick in the top edge and another just below this on the top edge of the oval around the rampant colt. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The right panel has no visible damage on the exposed areas, but there is a repair on the interior around the grip screw escutcheon. The checkering is sharp with good detail in the colts and eagles. There are no chips or cracks on the exterior, it can be assumed that the inside of the right panel had some sort of damage repaired. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition.

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 98% of its metal finish. The balance is in minor operational wear including some light turn-wear on the cylinder. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The frame’s case color is still vibrant. The screw heads are mostly sharp, a few show minor tool marks. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. A small leather shim has been installed between the mainspring and the frontstrap. Lockup produces very little play 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: This revolver comes in a two-piece cardboard Colt “Stagecoach” box. The box has scattered storage wear with some fraying and tears at edges and corners and discoloration.

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 was produced in 1973 and has blue & case color finish, a 4 3/4? barrel and is chambered in the original .45 Colt cartridge. The revolver is in Excellent condition, showing little sign of use and appearing to have spent more time in its box than out. The revolver comes in a period-correct Colt “Stagecoach” box and would make a nice addition to any collection or a fun, classic shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!

Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA .45 LC Revolver Stagecoach Box 1973 C&R
Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA .45 LC Revolver Stagecoach Box 1973 C&R