Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA .357 Magnum Stagecoach Box 1973 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,625.00

WOA#: WY240415EH043

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 68905SA

Year of Manufacture: 1973 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .357 Magnum

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 .357 MAGNUM”. 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 “P” at the rear, the right of the trigger guard is marked “Z”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “68905SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo, the front face of the cylinder is marked “905”. 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 “806”. The inside of each grip panel has “905” hand-scribed.

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

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 and American eagle at the bottoms. The grips have only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined with good detail in the colts and eagles. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, most notable on the right of the trigger guard and the left of the muzzle. There is a spot of finish wear at the rear of the ejector housing. There are a few scattered tiny nicks and scratches. The action shows faint operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder’s bushing is removable. 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 two-piece cardboard Colt “Stagecoach” box with a 1974 dated receipt from Green Top Sporting Goods in Glen Allen, VA.

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 1973 and has blue & case color finish, a 4 3/4? barrel and is chambered in the .357 Magnum cartridge. The revolver is in Fine-plus condition, showing signs of limited and responsible use. The revolver comes in a period-correct Colt “Stagecoach” box with what appears to be its original purchase receipt. It 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