Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA Buntline C&R Blue & Case Color 12″ Revolver, 1957 .45 Colt

SOLD FOR: $1,826.00
LSB#: 180918JR10

Make: Colt

Model: Second Generation Buntline Special

Serial Number: 17186SA

Year of Manufacture: 1957 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “Colt Buntline Special .45”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “BB 888”. 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 “17186SA”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “17186SA” under the grips. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with a “J”. The right side of the trigger guard is marked “O”. The front face of the cylinder is marked with assembly number “950”, found again on the right-rear of the frame and the rear face of the loading gate. The inside of each grip panel is scribed “17186”.

Barrel Length: 12″

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 two-piece checkered hard rubber panels with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The grips have only a few scattered light marks with well defined checkering and great detail on the colts. The grips have developed a slightly brown coloring. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: The revolver is blued with a case colored frame.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel has thinning finish at the muzzle on each side. The frame has vivid case coloring with only a few scattered light marks. The grip frame has some small spots of finish loss at the edges of the butt, as from oxidation which has been scrubbed out, and there is light handling wear in the straps. The cylinder does not have much in the way of a turn-line, however there are scattered scratches around the outside. The hammer has light operational wear with small spots of light discoloration on the unfinished side faces. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with almost no play on each chamber. The trigger is crisp. 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: None.

Our Assessment: Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a nice one to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1957, this revolver is a Buntline Special chambered in the classic .45 Colt cartridge, the original chambering for the SAA and with a 12″ barrel. It is in Fine condition, with some scratching on the cylinder and a few scattered light marks. The bore is great and the mechanics are strong. Serial numbers are matching and the Bunline Barrel number on the bottom of the barrel matching this early Buntline Special. The Buntline designation originally referred to any SAA with a barrel longer than the longest standard length of 7 1/2″. They were originally only available by special order with the pre-war guns being quite rare. When the Buntline Special was reintroduced as a standard configuration in 1957, starting in the 12400SA range, the barrels were marked with a “Buntline Barrel” number starting with BB 100 to prevent nefarious characters from pulling the barrels and installing them on 1st generation guns to pass them off as pre-war buntlines. Though Colt also sold BB marked barrels separately, we have confirmed that this number is correct and will accept a return with full refund including shipping and any fees if you find that it is not correct. This is going to be popular with collectors, a 2nd Generation Buntline Special in this high condition and with matching numbers doesn’t come around every day. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This single action C&R eligible 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.