Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4″ .357 Magnum Revolver, 1960 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3202.02
LSB#: 230720MS014
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 32526SA
Year of Manufacture: 1960 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
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 with rampant colts in ovals at their tops. Each grip has “526” hand-scribed on the interior. The grips have only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about 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. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is some scuffing in the backstrap. There are some minor nicks and tiny scratches, mostly around the outside of the cylinder. The cylinder has a thin, incomplete turn-line. The frame’s case color is strong. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play 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 is now referred to as the 2nd Generation SAA’s. This example is from fairly early in the 2nd generation, made in 1960, the same year that the .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced for the SAA. In Fine condition, the revolver has quite minor wear, but retains a great bore and strong mechanics. This would make a great 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
