1st Year 2nd Gen Colt Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ .45 Revolver, 1956 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2680

LSB#: 220930WK015

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 1387SA

Year of Manufacture: 1956 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: 6-Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. 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 “1387SA”, found again marked on the left of each portion of the grip frame (under the grip). The inside rear face of the loading gate is marked with the assembly number “133”, found again on the right rear of the frame and the front face of the cylinder. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “P”, the right is marked “X”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a Rampant Colt logo. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “178”.

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 groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black rubber panels with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The grips show minor handling wear with only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is sharp and there is good detail in the rampant colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Colored

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 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some light wear along the left of the barrel and along the ejector housing. The grip areas show handling wear. The frame’s case color has muted some, but there is good strong color on the sides of the frame in front of the cylinder and on the front face of the frame around the cylinder pin. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. There are some minor nicks and scratches with a few spots of very minor surface oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The mainspring has been lightened, resulting in a smooth, light hammer pull. There is a small leather shim between the mainspring and the frame where it is mounted. The cylinder locks up with barely perceptible play. The trigger pull is crisp. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Production of Single Action Army revolvers was halted at the outset of World War II to free up machines and manpower for filling wartime orders. After the war, Colt decided not to bring the iconic revolver back into production as it was seen as obsolete. The advent of swing-out cylinder revolvers and reliable semi-automatic pistols, they thought, meant that there was no place in the market for the antiquated single action revolver. 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 very first year of production.

The revolver is in Very Good condition with a great bore, strong mechanics and wear consistent with handling and use over the past 65+ years. The grips have been replaced, but are of the appropriate style and the metal retains much of its original finish. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection as one of the earliest of the second generation, but should also prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!

1st Year 2nd Gen Colt Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2" .45 Revolver, 1956 C&R
1st Year 2nd Gen Colt Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ .45 Revolver, 1956 C&R