Colt Single Action Army 2nd Gen SAA .45 Colt 5.5″ Revolver, 1956 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,976.00
LSB#: LSB251009TE008
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 7210SA
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 “P”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “7210SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo. The loading gate is marked with assembly number “252”.
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 replacement Wayland two-piece smooth wood grips. There are a few nicks and pressure dents but no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine 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 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 90% of its metal finish. The case coloring is strong. There are carbon rings on the cylinder. The balance of the finish shows handling and operation wear. There is thinning of the finish on the cylinder leading edges and some wear on the sides of the hammer. There is some finish loss at the muzzle and on the ejector housing. There is a thin turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good to Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a receipt included for a premium action job. Lockup produces no perceptible play. The hammer has a light pull and 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 Work order for a premium action job.
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army stands as one of the most enduring and recognizable revolver designs in American firearms history, and the Second Generation revival beginning in 1956 marks a particularly significant chapter in its lineage. After First Generation production ended in 1941, Colt reintroduced the Single Action Army in direct response to renewed interest driven by postwar Western films, television, and a rapidly growing collector market. These Second Generation revolvers were produced using original Colt tooling and closely followed prewar specifications, making early examples from 1956 especially desirable as the first return of the SAA after a fifteen year hiatus.
This revolver was manufactured in 1956, the inaugural year of Second Generation production, and is chambered in the classic .45 Colt with a 5 1/2 inch barrel. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, rating 9.5 out of 10. The revolver retains approximately 90 percent of its original blue and case colored finish, with strong case colors still present. Condition reflects honest use, including carbon rings on the cylinder, a thin cylinder turn line, thinning on the cylinder leading edges, wear on the sides of the hammer, and some finish loss at the muzzle and ejector housing. Markings remain clear and well defined, and screw heads are sharp. The revolver retains the correct separate cylinder bushing characteristic of early Second Generation SAAs.
The revolver is fitted with replacement Wayland smooth wood grips, which show minor nicks and pressure dents but no cracks and present in Fine condition. Mechanically, the action functions correctly with solid lockup and no perceptible play. A receipt for a premium action job is included, and the hammer exhibits a light pull with a crisp trigger. Overall, this revolver presents as a well preserved, first year Second Generation Colt Single Action Army that balances authentic use with strong originality, making it an attractive example for collectors seeking an early postwar SAA with documented mechanical work. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!
BF
