Colt 3rd Gen Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ .44 Special Revolver, MFD 1982
SOLD FOR: $2059
LSB#: 210427LJ09
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: SA61628
Year of Manufacture: 1982
Caliber: .44 Special
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, the left is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44 SPECIAL”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT 19. 1871 / JULY 2, 72 JAN. 19, 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The left of the trigger guard is marked “P”, the right of the trigger guard is marked “H”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “SA61628”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “1628”, the rear face is marked “44S”. The inside of each grip panel has “616 28” hand-scribed.
Barrel Length: 5 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 two-piece checkered black hard rubber panels with rampant colts in oval at their tops and American eagles at their bottoms. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp with good detail in the colts and eagles. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor marks, most notable a scratch on the left of the barrel at the muzzle. The side faces of the hammer have minor operational wear. The cylinder has a very faint and incomplete turn-line, mostly not through the finish. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces almost no play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder’s bushing is fixed in the cylinder. 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 faux-wood cardboard Colt box with hand-written serial-matching label and two-piece styrofoam insert. All of the ears have torn off the box except for one short ear on the non-label end. The other short ear on the same end has been taped to the box and the label ear has been taped on at the other end. The other large ear is included in the box. The box has scattered storage wear with fraying and tears at edges and corners. Overall, the box is in about Fair condition.
Our Assessment: Colt’s Model 1873, the Single Action Army, is the “gun that won the west”, perhaps the most iconic handgun of all time. For nearly 150 years, the gun has been produced in a variety of configurations, finishes and calibers. This revolver is a beauty to behold, in Excellent condition with 98% of its blue & case color finish, a bright bore with sharp rifling and strong mechanics. Chambered for the .44 Special cartridge and with a 5 1/2″ barrel, this is a versatile revolver which would serve for a hunting sidearm, target revolver, or for competition in Cowboy Action Shooting. That said, the Single Action Army is a must-have for a Colt collection, and this revolver is just as well suited for collectors, especially in such high condition. Please see our photos and good luck!