Colt Third 3rd Gen SAA Single Action Army 7.5″ .45 Blue & Case Color SA Revolver & Box, 1976 1st YEAR
SOLD FOR: $2,402.00
LSB#: 171228JL07
Make: Colt’s PT. F.A. MFG. Co.
Model: P1870 Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: 81788SA
Year of Manufacture: 1976 (https://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Serial-Number-Lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: 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 “81788SA”. We did not take off the grips to verify the serial number on the trigger guard and backstrap. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with an “N”. The base of the hammer is marked “P”
Barrel Length: 7 ½”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered black plastic with a rampant colt at the top in an oval and the American eagle with shield, branches, arrows, and banner reading “E PLURIBUS UNUM” at the bottom of each panel. There is no appreciable wear or damage to the grips save a shallow crease on the bottom of the right panel. The checkering is sharp. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: The revolver is blued with a case colored frame.
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its current metal finish. The cylinder does not have a turn line, however the cylinder stop notches have light marks on the edge of the lead-in groove. The cylinder itself has a few very light marks. On the left side of the frame is a light mark under the foremost screw. There is a small mark on the top of the hammer in front of the stippling. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Styrofoam box with cardboard sleeve with matching end label. The sleeve has an imitation wood finish and is marked “COLT” in large gold letters on the top of the sleeve. The sleeve shows wear, having both of its larger flaps and only one of its four smaller flaps. The end of the sleeve with the tag appears to be still attached to the main body of the sleeve, but has been reinforced with clear tape. The styrofoam has some oil staining on the interior and has had a scoop made to facilitate separation of the two halves.
Our Assessment: Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1976, this was made in the first year of production of “3rd Generation” SAA revolvers and has clearly been cared for in the decade since. The markings on the cylinder stop notches and light handling marks mean this revolver isn’t perfect, but its darned close. Given its condition and original box, this is going to be popular with collectors and would make a fine revolver to pass down through the generations. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This single action revolver CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. This does not apply to out of state residents.
