Colt Custom Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ .45 LC Revolver & Box, MFD 2003
SOLD FOR: $4025
LSB#: 210923SS61
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation, P1850Z
Serial Number: S34499A
Year of Manufacture: 2003 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2, 72 JAN. 19, 75” and with the “Rampant Colt” logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “S34499A”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “S34499A” under the grip. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle. The front face of the cylinder is marked “499” and the rear “45”. The rear of the loading gate is marked “499”. The inside of each grip panel has “S34499A” hand-written over a hand-written Paul E. Persinger cartouche “MADE / PEP / IN TEX” with “PEP” in box.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth bone panels. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent 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.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The barrel’s finish has a plum hue where it meets the frame. The case color is vibrant. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. This revolver’s cylinder has a separate bushing. The lockup produces very little play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. 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:
-White cardboard sleeve with serial-matching label
-Two-piece blue cardboard Colt box
-Assortment of factory paperwork including manual
-Cable Lock
Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production the single Action Army; this would be the second time they discontinued production of this glorious revolver. Luckily, the loyal fans of the SAA would not need to wait long as colt would bring back the SAA in 1976 as the “3rd Generation”. Changes were made but the basic SAA was the same, i.e. three standard barrel lengths of 4 ¾”, 5 ½” and 7 ½”, finishes of full nickel or blue, with color case hardened frame, and grips of hard rubber.
Some changes were incorporated in an effort by Colt to keep prices down. One new change was a pressed-in cylinder pin bushing instead of the removable ones used in 1st and 2nd Generation cylinders. Also, the ratchet at the rear of the cylinders was re-shaped, which also necessitated a different shape on the rotating hand. And for some unknown reason, the pitch of the barrel’s threads was changed from the 20 threads per inch (TPI) as used on 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs to 24 TPI for these new ones. Toward the end of 2nd Generation production Colt had begun using some investment cast parts, but the frames continued to be forged. The introductory caliber for 3rd Generation SAAs was .45 Colt, but .357 Magnum came along by the end of 1976.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 2003, this revolver has some “later” features which were actually re-introduced from earlier SAAs. The cylinder has a removable bushing and the hammer has a case-color finish. The revolver also has a gorgeous set of Paul Persinger grips installed. The label on the included factory box and the serial-lookup on Colt’s website both indicate that this is a Custom Single Action Army, so the cylinder bushing and hammer finish are almost certainly original. It’s even possible that Colt’s asked Persinger to make the grips for the gun. This revolver is in Excellent condition, appearing to have seen little if any use. This makes it more than suitable for addition to a collection, but it would also make an attractive “BBQ Gun” or could be used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Please see our photos and good luck!