Colt Single Action Army 2nd Gen SAA 7 1/2″ .38 Special Revolver, 1957 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,225.99
LSB#: LSB251207SJ006
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 13441SA
Year of Manufacture: 1957 (C&R)
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 7 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 notch at the rear of a groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are aftermarket two-piece smooth laminate wood panels. The grips are alternately proud and shy to the grip frame, but show only minor handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9+ out of 10.
Note: The forcing cone has an aggressive shoulder meeting the rifling.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. Each side of the trigger guard, under the grips, has been marked “H.A. WATTERS” through the finish. The action has light operational wear including some turn-wear on the cylinder. There are a few scattered minor nicks and small scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder bushing is removable. Timing is correct and the cylinder locks up with minor play on each chamber. 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 hinge-lid black cardboard Colt box with model-matching label and the serial number hand-written on the bottom. A vintage manual is included in the box.
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 is a 1957 made revolver chambered for .38 Special with a 7 1/2″ barrel. The revolver is in Fine condition with minor wear in the metal, a strong bore and great mechanics. It has been equipped with a set of after-market grips and, interestingly, has “H.A. WATTERS” struck through the finish on each side of the trigger guard under the grip. The revolver comes with its original box and manual. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection as one of the earliest of the second generation SAA revolvers, and is a great six-shooter chambered in a relatively inexpensive and easy to find cartridge. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud