Colt 3rd Gen Single Action Army Full Royal Blue .44-40 Winchester Revolver
SOLD FOR: $2500
LSB#: 211117CP01
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: SA93269
Year of Manufacture: 1990 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44-40”. 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”. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “SA93269”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “SA93269” under the grip. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle. The front face of the cylinder is marked “269” and the rear “44-40”. The inside of each grip panel has the serial number hand-written.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
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 stag panels. The left panel has green discoloration from verdigris on the brass grip screw. Otherwise, the grips show only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Full Blue
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 97% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in minor turn-wear on the cylinder. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. This revolver’s cylinder has a fixed bushing. The lockup produces barely perceptible play on all six chambers. 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: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production the single Action Army; this would be the second time they discontinued production of this glorious revolver. Luckily, the loyal fans of the SAA would not need to wait long as colt would bring back the SAA in 1976 as the “3rd Generation”. Changes were made but the basic SAA was the same, i.e. three standard barrel lengths of 4 ¾”, 5 ½” and 7 ½”, finishes of full nickel or blue, with color case hardened frame, and grips of hard rubber.
Some changes were incorporated in an effort by Colt to keep prices down. One new change was a pressed-in cylinder pin bushing instead of the removable ones used in 1st and 2nd Generation cylinders. Also, the ratchet at the rear of the cylinders was re-shaped, which also necessitated a different shape on the rotating hand. And for some unknown reason, the pitch of the barrel’s threads was changed from the 20 threads per inch (TPI) as used on 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs to 24 TPI for these new ones. Toward the end of 2nd Generation production Colt had begun using some investment cast parts, but the frames continued to be forged. The introductory caliber for 3rd Generation SAAs was .45 Colt, but .357 Magnum came along by the end of 1976 and a host of other chamberings would follow.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1990, this revolver has some “later” features which were actually re-introduced from earlier SAAs. The frame is a “black powder frame” with a screw-secured base pin and the ejector rod has the early “bullseye” style tab. The frame also has the early-style three-line patent marking. The revolver also has a Royal Blue finish, including on the frame, an uncommon feature for these revolvers which typically woudl have a case color frame. Chambered for .44-40 Winchester with a 5 1/2″ barrel, this is a wonderful modern example of the SAA which shares some features of the earliest 1st Generation revolvers. The gun is in Fine-Excellent condition, appearing to have seen limited use. It also comes with a nice set of stag grips. This makes it suitable for addition to a collection, but is also something that could be carried as a hunting sidearm or used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Please see our photos and good luck!