
Colt New Frontier Single Action Army SAA 5 1/2″ .44 Special Revolver, 1981
SOLD FOR: $2723
LSB#: 230401BB013
Make: Colt
Model: New Frontier Single Action Army
Serial Number: 13970NF
Year of Manufacture: 1981 (Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .44 Special
Action Type: Side Gate Loaded Single Action Revolver
Barrel Length: 5 1/2″
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade fixed to the barrel. The rear of the blade has been painted red. The rear sight is a Champion square notch pinned to the topstrap, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood panels with gold-colored Colt medallions. The grips have only a few minor scuffs and faint scratches, mostly on the left panel. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling in and in front of the forcing-cone. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10 and should clean to 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered minor nicks and thin scratches, most notable on the ejector housing. There is a spot of wear at the bottom of the backstrap. The cylinder has scattered turn-wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder locks with very little play on each chamber. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This revolver comes with a nickel-finished .44-40 cylinder which does not have any serial/assembly number markings. This cylinder fits properly, showing perhaps just slightly more play in its lockup. The cylinder shows minor wear but does have firing rings on the front face.
Our Assessment: The New Frontier was developed as an updated Single Action Army with adjustable target sights. This example is chambered for .44 Special which gives it good performance without all the punishing recoil of its Magnum cousin cartridge. The revolver also comes with a nickel-finished .44-40 cylinder if you want to shoot a more vintage cartridge. The revolver is in Fine condition, showing signs of light and responsible use over the last 40 years, retaining a great bore and strong mechanics. With its adjustable sights, it should make for a nice target revolver for the lucky winner, but it would also make a nice addition to a Colt single action collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
