Colt 2nd Generation Single Action Army SAA 4 3/4″ .45 LC Revolver, 1960 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2375

LSB#: 210923SS93

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 29948SA

Year of Manufacture: 1960 (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 “5”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “29948SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo. The front face of the cylinder is marked with an “M” or “W” and “948”. 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 “789”. The inside of the right grip panel is hand-scribed “11798”.

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The front sight has some wear and looks like the left side has been touched up with cold blue. 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 colts in ovals at their tops. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The left panel has a small chip-loss at the bottom-rear corner. The panels are alternately proud and shy to the frame. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: The left of the front sight looks like it’s been touched up with cold blue. Otherwise, the finish is Original.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but each land has a line across it at the same point about 2″ from the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas have handling wear and there is wear on the ejector housing and barrel consistent with holster use. The worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. The cylinder has scattered turn wear and some spots of light erosion. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, primarily located on the outside of the cylinder. The frame’s case color has muted in some areas but remains quite strong in most. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces very little play side-to-side and no 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: 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 example is from fairly early in the 2nd generation, 1960 and is chambered for the classic .45 Colt cartridge. Originally developed as a black powder cartridge, smokeless powder breathed new life into the cartridge, giving it comparable power to modern self-defense revolver cartridges as well as being suitable as a hunting sidearm. In Very Good condition, the revolver has honest wear, but retains a nice bore and strong mechanics. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection as one of the earlier second generations, but it will also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!