Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4″ .38 Special Revolver, 1958 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1600.09
LSB#: 220502RL004
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 18908SA
Year of Manufacture: 1958 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 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 38 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 “VP” in triangle at the front and “J” at the rear, the right of the trigger guard is marked “5”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are marked “18908SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo. The front face of the cylinder is marked with “63”. The rear face of the frame (under the right grip panel) and the rear face of the loading gate are each marked with assembly number “63”. The backstrap has been engraved with “WR” at the top. There is foliate scroll engraving on the cylinder between the flutes, at the front and rear of the barrel and on the backstrap. The backstrap engraving incorporates an arrow motif with the shaft done in gold, there are two gold bands at the muzzle and the bottom of the trigger guard has a gold oval around a gold symbol.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear face of the blade has had four notches cut in it. 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 with rampant colts in ovals at their tops. The exterior of the grips have scattered light wear with a portion of the checkering re-cut on the left panel. There are rough fitting marks on the bottom edges of the grips and some tiny losses along their rear edges. The checkering is generally well defined with pretty good detail in the rampant colts. There are no external chips or cracks, but there are repairs at the grip screw escutcheons on the inside of both panels. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition as repaired, but appear Very Good when installed.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: The frame’s finish appears Original, the engraved parts have been refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has finish wear at the muzzle on the left and there is wear along the ejector housing. The frame has generally strong color with wear on the recoil shield and loading gate. The backstrap is mostly worn to white with finish at at the top. The trigger guard has wear at the bottom-front. The cylinder has scattered wear. There are some light nicks, scuffs and minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The mainspring has been lightened, resulting in a light, smooth hammer pull. Lockup produces very little play side-to-side and minor end-shake on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder’s bushing is separate from 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: None.
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 example is from fairly early in the 2nd generation, 1958, and is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge. In Very Good condition, the revolver shows signs of use, but retains a great bore and strong mechanics. It has had some decorative engraving applied and the mainspring has been lightened to smooth out the hammer pull. This would make a neat addition to a Colt collection as one of the earlier second generations, but it will also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!