Colt Single Action Army 2nd Gen SAA .38 Special 5.5″ Revolver 1957 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,827.00
LSB#: LSB260603JW002
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 11180SA
Year of Manufacture: 1957 / C&R
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL”. 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 a Rampant Colt. The bottom of the frame, left interior of the front strap and backstrap are marked “11180SA”. The interior of the grip panels are scribed “11180”. The left front trigger bow is marked with a Verified Proof, and the rear bow is marked with “J”. The right trigger bow is marked “C”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a Rampant Colt. The front face of the cylinder and the loading gate are marked “60”.
Barrel Length: 5.5″
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 two-piece checkered black hard rubber panels with Rampant Colt in an oval at the top of each panel. There are minor compression and handling scratches. The checkering is defined with minor peak loss. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case-colored frame
Finish Originality: Original, swabbed with Cold Blue
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.25/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 40% of its metal finish. There is thinning throughout. There is finish loss at the muzzle, leading edges of the frame and cylinder, trigger guard, and grip straps. There is a hard turn line on the cylinder. There is original blue visible in the protected areas. The surface has been swabbed with Cold Blue. There are freckles of oxidation along the barrel and frame. There is corrosion staining along the backstrap. There are scattered scratches and compression marks. The case-color is no longer vibrant. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. The cylinder pin and the hammer have been replaced.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Colt factory box with “11180” hand-written on the bottom, Colt factory letter, and paperwork.
Our Assessment: Colt revived the legendary Single Action Army in late 1955, with regular Second Generation production beginning in 1956 in response to renewed public enthusiasm for the Old West driven by postwar television and motion pictures. Early Second Generation revolvers were initially offered in .45 Colt and .38 Special with 5 1/2″ and 7 1/2″ barrels, making this 5 1/2″ .38 Special a classic early-production configuration. The .38 Special is an especially interesting Second Generation chambering: it was one of the original offerings when the Single Action Army returned to production, but was discontinued in 1964 after the introduction of the .357 Magnum. Many .38 Special examples were subsequently altered or converted, making surviving factory-configured guns of the period particularly appealing to Second Generation Colt collectors.
This revolver retains considerable period character despite substantial finish loss and later cold-blue touch-up, with original blue still visible in protected areas and muted remnants of the frame’s case coloring. The grips remain in Fine condition with defined checkering, while the bright 9.25/10 bore with sharp rifling and correctly functioning action are strong positives. The replaced hammer and cylinder pin detract from complete originality, but the matching numbered frame, trigger guard, backstrap, and numbered grip panels are desirable features. Its matching factory box and Colt factory letter further enhance the package, particularly as the letter confirms the present .38 Special chambering, 5 1/2″ barrel, finish, and original shipping configuration. Overall, this is an appealing early Second Generation SAA in the relatively desirable .38 Special chambering, displaying honest use while retaining strong markings, a fine bore, and considerable collector interest. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY