Colt 3rd Gen Single Action Army SAA P1841 Nickel 4 3/4″ .45 Revolver, 1998
SOLD FOR: $2,231.00
WOA#: WY240415EH080
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: S23125A
Year of Manufacture: 1998 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
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 “S23125A”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “S23125A” under the grip. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and the left rear with “G”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “125” and the rear “45”. The rear of the loading gate is marked “125”. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “519”.
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 & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops and American Eagle at the bottom. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light 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 as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The cylinder pin is missing. There is some flaking at the front edge of the cylinder and the cylinder has some scattered light nicks and scratches. There are a few other minor marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-Fine condition as missing the cylinder pin.
Mechanics: The cylinder pin is missing, preventing proper test of the action. We see nothing to indicate that the action will not function correctly with a properly installed cylinder pin. 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.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1998, this revolver has a beautiful nickel finish with a 4 3/4″ barrel and chambered for the original .45 Colt cartridge. This revolver is in Very Good-Fine condition apart from its missing cylinder pin. Once the pin has been replaced, it would make an attractive “BBQ Gun”, addition to a collection, or could be used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
