Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA 7 1/2″ .44 Special Revolver, 1958 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,126
LSB#: 240326DB001
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 21904SA
Year of Manufacture: 1958 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .44 Special
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 .44 SPECIAL”. 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 “0”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “21904SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo. The front face of the cylinder is marked “904”. The rear face of the frame and the rear face of the loading gate are each marked with assembly number “803”.
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 grip is “one-piece” smooth bone (actually two pieces adhered to a center wood piece). The grip has some discoloration from age and handling with a few scattered light nicks and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.
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 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are scattered light nicks and small scratches. There are a few spots of minor surface oxidation. There is minor handling wear in the grip areas, most notable inside the trigger guard. The frame retains strong case color. The action shows operational wear including turn-wear on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The hammer is quite light and smooth to pull, it is likely some action work has been done. 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: None.
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 is one such example from 1958. It is in Very Good-plus condition with a great bore, strong mechanics and light wear given its age of 65 years. The gun is chambered for the .44 Special cartridge, a more mild round than the .44 Magnum suitable for target shooting and some small game, also desirable among collectors. The chambering is also scarce in 2nd Generation production. According to George Garton’s book on the post-war Single Action Army revolvers, only 763 were produced with a 7 1/2? barrel and blued finish, such as this one. The revolver has been outfitted with an attractive grip and appears to have had some action work done. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection as an early second generation and should prove to be a fun and classy shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
