Colt 2nd Generation Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ .45 LC Revolver, 1969 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,550.00

WOA#: WY240415EH132

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 51770SA

Year of Manufacture: 1969 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 Colt

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 .45”. 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 “V” at the rear, the right of the trigger guard is marked “K”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “51770SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo, the front face of the cylinder is marked “770”. 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 “19”. The inside of each grip panel has “770” hand-scribed.

Barrel Length: 5 1/2”

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 colt in oval at their tops. The grips have minor handling with some light scuffing and a few small marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there are some spots of stubborn leading. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are some scattered small nicks and tiny scratches on the barrel and ejector housing. The finish is thinning at the edges of the frontstrap. The cylinder has scattered minor turn-wear. There is some faint discoloration from oxidation on the sides of the hammer. The action shows light operational wear. 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.

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 now referred to as the 2nd Generation SAA’s. This example was produced in 1969 and has blue & case color finish, a 5 1/2″ barrel and is chambered in the original .45 Colt cartridge. The revolver is in Very Good-Fine condition, showing signs of responsible use over the last 55 years. The revolver would make a nice addition to any collection or a fun, classic shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud