Colt Single Action Army 2nd Gen SAA .45 Colt 5.5″ , Factory Letter 1956 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,442.00
LSB#: LSB251007CL049
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 4772SA
Year of Manufacture: 1956 / C&R (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 “F” 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 “4772SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo. The loading gate is marked with assembly number “823”. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “4772”.
Barrel Length: 5 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 grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber panels with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. There is no handling wear. The checkering is sharp. There is good detail in the colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
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 10/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. The case coloring is vivid. There are no carbon rings on the cylinder. The balance of the finish shows no handling or operation wear. There is a thin turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces no perceptible play. 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: This revolver comes with a Colt factory letter authenticating its shipping date and original and unchanged configuration.
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army is one of the most enduring and influential revolver designs in American history, and the Second Generation revival marks a particularly important chapter in its legacy. After production of the original First Generation ceased in 1941, Colt reintroduced the Single Action Army in 1956 in response to renewed public interest driven by postwar Western films, television, and a growing collector market. These Second Generation revolvers were built on original tooling and machinery retained by Colt, combining classic prewar craftsmanship with mid-century production standards. As a result, early Second Generation SAAs are widely regarded as some of the finest modern-era Colts, closely echoing the fit, finish, and handling of their nineteenth-century predecessors.
This example, manufactured in 1956, represents the very first year of Second Generation Single Action Army production. Chambered in the classic .45 Colt and fitted with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, it retains all correct and original features, including the separate cylinder bushing characteristic of early Second Generation revolvers. The bore is mirror bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, rating a full 10 out of 10. Approximately 99 percent of the original blue and case-hardened finish remains, with vivid case colors, crisp markings, sharp screw heads, and only a faint cylinder turn line visible. The black hard rubber grips are excellent, with sharp checkering, strong Rampant Colt ovals, and no chips or cracks, further reinforcing the revolver’s high level of preservation.
Mechanically, the revolver functions correctly with solid lockup, no perceptible play, and a crisp trigger pull. The absence of carbon rings on the cylinder suggests extremely limited use, consistent with its overall condition. This revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter confirming its shipping date and verifying that it remains in its original, unchanged configuration. Overall, this 1956 Second Generation Colt Single Action Army stands as a highly desirable early-production example, combining historical significance, exceptional condition, and documented provenance, making it an outstanding acquisition for collectors of Colt revolvers and classic American arms. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!
BF
