Colt Single Action Army SAA 3rd Gen Sheriff’s Model .44-40/.44 Special 1980
SOLD FOR: $2,640.00
WOA#: WY240415EH102
Make: Colt
Model: Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: SA41278
Year of Manufacture: 1980, ATF C&R
“Colt, Sheriffs Model revolver, cal.’s .44 and .45.”
Caliber: Cylinders are included for .44 Special and .44-40 Winchester (WCF)
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SHERIFF’S MODEL”, the top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”, the right is marked “COLT S.A.A. 44 CAL.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2,72 JAN. 19,75” and with a rampant colt. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “SA41278”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “SA41278” under the grips. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with a “K”, the right front is marked “H”. The front face of each cylinder is marked “1278”, the rear faces are marked “44-40” and “44S”, respectively. The outside of the cylinders are marked “44-40” and “44 SPL.”, respectively. The inside of each grip panel has “41278” hand-written.
Barrel Length: 3”
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 smooth walnut panels. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
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 a little stubborn copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is fairly evenly scattered minor cloudiness in the nickel finish. There are some minor scratches on the right frame flat (faces down in the display case). There are a few other scattered minor marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each of the chambers on each cylinder. The trigger is crisp. 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: This revolver comes in a glass-lid wood presentation case with cream-colored felt-lined french-fit interior and a faux-wood cardboard Colt box. The interior of the display case is cut for the spare cylinder and a key is included. The box label has wear, it can be made out that it is model-matching, but the serial number is not legible.
Our Assessment: Colt’s Model 1873, the Single Action Army, is the “gun that won the west”, perhaps the most iconic handgun of all time. For nearly 150 years, the gun has been produced in a variety of configurations, finishes and calibers. This revolver is a beauty to behold and one of the finest single action revolvers ever produced. It is a Colt Sheriff’s model in Fine condition with 95% of its original nickel finish, a bright bore with sharp rifling and strong mechanics. It comes with a beautiful glass-lidded display case, fit for both the revolver and its additional cylinder. With a 3″ barrel, no ejector rod assembly, and cylinders chambered for the classic .44-40 Winchester and the more modern .44 Special cartridges, this is a classy revolver from muzzle to butt. A factory Colt with this gun’s features is going to take a prized place in a Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
