Colt 2nd Gen. Single Action Army .38 Special 5.5″ SAA Revolver, Letter 1955
SOLD FOR: $3,025.00
LSB#: LSB250803JT016
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army (Second Generation)
Serial Number: 1027SA
Year of Manufacture: December 12, 1955 (Colt factory letter), C&R
Caliber: .38 Special
Barrel Length: 5½”
Action Type: Single Action Revolver
Markings: The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with patent dates “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871 / JULY 2.72 JAN. 19.75” with the rampant Colt logo nearby. The barrel is roll-marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY.” The serial “1027SA” is stamped on the rear of the frame/strap and on the front face of the frame under the grip tang.
Finish: High-polish blue on barrel and cylinder with vivid color case-hardening on the frame and loading-guard area consistent with early Colt Second Generation finish work.
Finish Originality: Original (retains original blue and case colors consistent with factory letter).
Barrel & Sights: 5½” round barrel with full-length ejector housing and integral front blade; simple notch sight in the top strap (standard SAA arrangement).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The installed checkered black hard rubber grips with rampant Colts molded at each side are present. Comes with a period pair of stag grip panels (currently removed from the frame), which show handling age and mounting holes.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: The revolver presents as a well-preserved early Second Generation Colt SAA. The high-polish blued surfaces on the barrel and cylinder are largely intact with only light handling marks and fine surface scratches visible in the photos. The case-colored frame shows attractive, even toning and patterning; edges retain definition. The cylinder flutes and face show normal light tool/handling marks consistent with a gun that has been well taken care of over the decades. The included Colt letter add important provenance and desirability.
Mechanics: All actions operate as expected from visual inspection — the single-action trigger, hammer engagement, and cylinder lockup appear correct in-hand. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Accessories: Colt factory letter dated April 13, 2004 (Colt historian letter referencing serial 1027SA and factory shipment/manufacture dates), a pair of period stag grip panels (loose), and a handwritten note referencing Wilkerson research.
Provenance / Shipping Record: Per the Colt factory letter, this revolver was shipped on December 15, 1955, to Arizona Hardware Company, P.O. Box 2110, Phoenix, Arizona. It was one of only eight Single Action Army revolvers shipped that year — the 27th Second Generation SAA produced.
Our Assessment:
This 1027SA is a fine, early Second Generation Colt Single Action Army — a transitional-era production that launched Colt’s post-war return to SAA manufacture. The combination of tidy original blue, lively case colors on the frame, clear patent roll stamps, and the Colt historian letter makes this an attractive collector example: early serial, documented shipping/manufacture dates, and period stag panels all add to its desirability.
The Colt factory letter authenticates its December 1955 shipment to Arizona Hardware Company — a key detail linking it to the first wave of 2nd Gen SAAs, preceding regular 1956 production. This is a museum-quality piece in the Second Generation story and will be of interest to Colt collectors who value early postwar production and documented provenance. This is one of a consecutive serial number matched pair; we currently offer Colt SAA serial number 1028SA in .45 Colt for auction under a separate listing. So bid high and bid firm. I encourage you to look at the item’s condition in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.
