Colt New Frontier SAA 3rd Generation .45 Colt 7 1/2” Single Action Revolver
SOLD FOR: $1,791.00
LSB#: LSB260429JR049
Make: Colt
Model: New Frontier, Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: 01512NF
Year of Manufacture: 1978 / Modern
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: 6-Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT NEW FRONTIER S.A.A. .45”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871″ / “JULY 2, 72 JAN. 19, 75”, alongside the rampant Colt logo. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT.F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT, U.S.A.”. The bottom of the frame, left side of the grip frame and backstrap are marked with the serial number “01512NF”. The face of the cylinder is marked with the partial serial number “1512”
Barrel Length: 7 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are a two-piece smooth black horn with silver escutcheons. There are minor handling marks and scuffs. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case colored
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion or fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its original metal finish. There is clouding of the finish on the barrel. There are scratches along the bottom backstrap. There are scattered handling scratches throughout. There is thinning at the muzzle and along the leading edges of the cylinder. There is a turn line on the cylinder. The markings are legible, but partially light on the top of the barrel from polishing. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this revolver rates in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup is tight at each chamber. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, & Accessories: Brown suede soft case.
Our Assessment: The Colt New Frontier Single Action Army was introduced as a modernized target-sighted version of Colt’s legendary SAA, combining the classic Peacemaker-style single action lockwork with adjustable sights and a ramped front blade. While the traditional Single Action Army dates back to 1873 and became one of the defining revolvers of the American West, the New Frontier line gave Colt buyers a more practical sighting system for target shooting, field use, and load development while retaining the familiar side-loading gate, fixed cylinder, plow-handle grip profile, and six-shot single action operation. Third Generation examples began production in the late 1970s, and this 1978 revolver is an early 3rd Gen New Frontier chambered in the classic .45 Colt cartridge. The 7 1/2” barrel, adjustable rear sight, case-colored frame, blued barrel and cylinder, partial serial-numbered cylinder, and “NF” serial suffix all contribute to its collector and shooter appeal as a desirable Colt single action variation.
This Colt New Frontier SAA is a 3rd Generation .45 Colt single action revolver with a 7 1/2” barrel, adjustable rear sight, serrated ramp front sight, blued and case-colored finish, smooth black horn grips with silver escutcheons, and a brown suede soft case. The revolver retains about 97% of its original metal finish with finish clouding on the barrel, scratches along the bottom of the backstrap, scattered handling marks, muzzle and cylinder-edge thinning, and a cylinder turn line. The grips rate about Fine with minor handling marks and scuffs, and no chips or cracks. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion or fouling, rating 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, and the lockup is tight at each chamber. This revolver should appeal to Colt collectors, Single Action Army enthusiasts, New Frontier collectors, and buyers looking for an early 3rd Generation .45 Colt revolver with classic long-barrel balance and adjustable sights. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY