Colt 4 3/4″ Single Action Army Revolver Consecutive Pair .38 SPL, MFD 2003
SOLD FOR: $3560.65
LSB#: 230114RF001, 230114RF002
Make: Colt
Model: Pair Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: S34866A, S34867A
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action Revolvers with Side Loading Gate Cylinders
Markings: The left side of each barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL”. 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 left front of each trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle. The fronts of the cylinders are marked “866” and “867”, respectively. The rear of each is marked “38”. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “866” and “867”, respectively. The rear of each loading gate is marked “866” and “867”, respectively.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sights are blades fixed to the barrels. The rear sights are square grooves in the top straps.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colts in ovals at their tops and American eagles at their bottoms. The grips have minor handling wear with a few light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined with good detail in the colts and eagles. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is Original, some polishing has been done, most notable on the sides of the hammer. S34866A’s grip screw has been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in either bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition:
S34866A: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges, more notable at the leading edges. There is some wear along the ejector housing and handling wear in the backstrap. The cylinder has scattered turn-wear. There are some light nicks and scuffs. The trigger guard has a slight plum hue. The frame’s case color is strong. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.
S34867A: This handgun retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges, more notable at the leading edges. There is some minor wear along the ejector housing and light handling wear in the backstrap. The cylinder has minor turn-wear, mostly in the lead-in grooves. There are a few minor nicks and scuffs. The frame’s case color is strong. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-plus 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 cylinder’s have removable bushings. 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: None.
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 consecutive pair of SAA revolvers made in 2003 chambered for .38 Special with 4 3/4? barrels and American Eagle stocks. The actions have had some work, with a very smooth hammer pull, light triggers and the guns retain great bores as well as strong mechanics. The revolvers are in Very Good-plus condition, showing signs of responsible use. This would be a nice set for the aspiring Cowboy Action shooter or an addition to a Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
