Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA .45 LC Revolver Stagecoach Box 1972 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,913.00
WOA#: WY240415EH145
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 61723SA
Year of Manufacture: 1972 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
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 .45”. 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 “M”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “61723SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo, the front face of the cylinder is marked “723”. 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 “948”. The inside of each grip panel has “723” hand-scribed.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2”
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 right panel has a nick at the rear edge near the bottom, the left has a small, shallow scrape at the rear edge. Otherwise, there are only light handling 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 Fine-plus 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. There are tiny spots of faint oxidation in the grip areas. The side faces of the hammer have discoloration from oxidation. The action shows minor operational wear including a thin turn-line on the cylinder. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces almost no play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder’s bushing is separate from the cylinder. 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. The box has scattered storage wear with some fraying and tears at edges and corners and discoloration, tape-repairs have been applied at some corners.
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 1972 and has blue & case color finish, a 7 1/2″ barrel and is chambered in the original .45 Colt cartridge. The revolver is in Fine condition, showing signs of infrequent and responsible use, retaining the vast majority of its original finish, a great bore and strong mechanics. The revolver comes in a period-correct Colt “Stagecoach” box and 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
