Colt 3rd Third Generation SAA, Blue & Case Colored 7 1/2” Single Action Army Revolver & Box, MFD 1978
LSB#: 151223CS20
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, Third Generation
Serial Number: 96383SA
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Caliber: .45 Colt (Long)
Action Type: 6-Shot, Side Gate Loaded, Fluted Cylinder Revolver
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” with the rampant Colt logo, the bottom is marked with the serial number. The left front side of the trigger guard bow is marked “VP” in triangle, the rear is marked “E”, the front right side is marked “7”. The left side of the front and back straps are marked with the serial number. The original factory box reflects the correct serial number, finish, chambering and barrel length of this revolver.
Barrel Length: 7 ½”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blued blade that is fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat top, square notch milled into the top of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are polished, smooth bone panels that are not original to the revolver and have a gap in the metal to stock fit on the backstrap and is short of the frame by about 1/16” as photographed. The stocks have scuffs and shallow marks. The grip screw is not original to this revolver. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition and would rate higher but for the fit to the frame.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The barrel and ejector rod housing have scuffs and swirled, isolated instances of scratches that are shallow. The top right side has a nick resulting in finish loss. The cylinder has an extremely light drag line that has not penetrated through the finish. The hammer’s flanks, which were left in the white, have patches of light surface etching. The screw heads retain most of their finish but have screwdriver tooling in the slots. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition and would rate higher but for the non-original grips.
Mechanics: Given the condition, we did not test the mechanics of this revolver; this revolver looks to have been handled more than it was shot and was well taken care of in the interim. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is the revolver’s serialized, correct factory wood grain cardboard box, foam inserts, owner’s manual and factory paperwork inserts. The box has wear marks from storage with some crimping at the corners, the foam has minor compression marks. All items rate in Fine to Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: This Colt Single Action Army has a bright, sharp bore, beautiful case coloring and finely finished bluing. The cylinder barely has a hint of use with a light mark present, which does not penetrate the finish. The grips are polished bone and are slightly miss-fit to the frame, otherwise rating in Fine condition as not original to the revolver. The original factory box, foam inserts, owner’s manual and factory paperwork are included as photographed and described above. Given its condition, this Third Generation SAA will do well in any Colt collector’s safe and would make for a great presentation piece to boot! Please see our photographs and good luck.
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This handgun CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California. This handgun CANNOT be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.
