Colt 1873 Single Action Army SAA .45 Colt 4 3/4″ Revolver 3rd Gen MFD 1982
SOLD FOR: $2,075.00
LSB#: LSB260218HG060
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army SAA
Serial Number: SA59515
Year of Manufacture: 1982
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 FA 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 the Colt logo. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” proof mark. The bottom of the frame is marked with the serial number. Under the grips are marked with the serial on the left front and back strap. The face of the cylinder is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade at the muzzle. The rear sight is a ‘U’ notch the length of the top strap. Visible when the hammer is cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are one-piece, smooth, and ivory colored. There is light handling wear on the panels. There is a finer hairline crack on the right side, near the top of the front strap. There are no chips on the grips. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued and case colored
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is very minor fouling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its finish, with only very minor handling wear and operational wear on the hammer and cylinder. The screw heads are sharp, with only a couple showing tooling. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup is tight with no perceptible play. There is minimal end shake. 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’s Manufacturing Company Single Action Army, first introduced in 1873, remains one of the most iconic revolvers ever produced, closely tied to the expansion of the American West and continuing in production through multiple generations. The 3rd Generation revolvers, such as this 1982 example, represent Colt’s modern continuation of the Peacemaker, preserving the traditional lines, lockwork, and handling characteristics while benefiting from contemporary manufacturing. Chambered in .45 Colt, the original cartridge developed alongside the SAA, this revolver maintains the historic pairing that defined countless frontier-era sidearms, with the cartridge long known for its substantial bore and black powder origins.
This revolver presents in Excellent condition, retaining approximately 99% of its original blued and case colored finish with only minimal handling and operational wear visible on the hammer and cylinder. The 4 3/4″ barrel configuration offers the classic balance and quick handling associated with early production SAAs. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and only very minor fouling, rating 9.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly with tight lockup and minimal end shake. The one-piece ivory-colored grips show light handling wear and include a fine hairline crack on the right side near the top of the front strap, but remain otherwise well-preserved and visually appealing. Overall, this is a clean and well-maintained 3rd Generation Colt Single Action Army in its traditional configuration. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY