Colt 3rd Generation Single Action Army SAA Blue 4 3/4″ .45 Revolver, 1978
SOLD FOR: $1,920.00
WOA#: WY240415EH108
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: SA12865
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. 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 with the “Rampant Colt” logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “SA12865”. The front and back strap are both marked “SA12865” on the left side. The inside of each grip panel has “12865” hand-scribed. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with a “K”, there is a “5” marked on the right of the trigger guard. The front of the cylinder is marked “2865”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
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 and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops and American Eagle at their bottoms. There are a few scattered minor marks. There is a very small chip at the bottom edge of the oval around the rampant colt on the left panel. The checkering is well defined. There is good detail in the colts and eagles. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine 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 handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. There is a small spot of light wear on the frontstrap just behind the trigger guard. There are some tiny nicks and scratches in the backstrap. There is a thin scratch on the bottom of the barrel, possibly from the cylinder pin during disassembly/reassembly. There is some minor turn-wear on the cylinder. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder locks up with minor play on each chamber. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production of 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. Additionally, 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 other chamberings would soon follow, including .44 Special.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a neat one to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1978, this revolver is in Fine condition, appearing to have seen limited and responsible use. With a 4 3/4? barrel, Blue & Case Color finish and chambered for .45 Colt, this is a classic Single Action Army chambered for the classic SAA cartridge. The pistol’s condition will make it suitable for addition to a collection, but it should also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
