Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA 7 1/2″ .357 Magnum Revolver, 1970 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,552.00
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 53979SA
Year of Manufacture: 1970 (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 “U” at the rear, the right of the trigger guard is marked “E”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “53979SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo. The front face of the cylinder is marked “M”. 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 “239”.
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. The grips have discolored, going to a slightly brown color. The grips have some scattered minor nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined. There is fairly good detail in the colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in 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.10/10 on a bore rating.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. The finish is strong at all edges. The grip areas have no handling wear. The thinnest of turnlines can be observed along the cylinder. The unfinished side faces of the hammer have slight speckles of discoloration from oxidation. There are no scattered minor nicks or scratches. The screw heads are sharp with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces almost no play side-to-side and barely perceptible end-shake 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 gorgeous revolver comes with a wooden display box, A wooden ammo holder for holding 357 Magnum ammo in the shape of the number 357 (live ammo will be shipped separately),a copy of the Seated Liberty Coin marked 1842, a timely Colt Catalog, and a Colt Single Action Army Brochure.
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 is a .357 Magnum chambered 7 1/2? barrel model made in 1970. The revolver is in Excellent condition with an excellent bore, strong mechanics and wear consistent with light use over the past 54 years. If you’re looking for a perfect display piece, this is it. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection as one of the .357 Magnum second generation revolvers. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition in our high quality photos. -K.F.
