Colt Single Action Army 3rd Gen SAA .45 Colt 5 1/2″ Revolver, 1981
SOLD FOR: $1,725.00
LSB#: LSB260209XX001
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: SA51859
Year of Manufacture: 1981 / Modern
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 “K” at the rear. The right of the trigger guard is marked “Z”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the trigger guard are each marked “SA51859”. There is a partial matching serial number on the face of the cylinder of “1859”.
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 a replacement one-piece Walnut grip with a few minimal handling dings. There are no chips or cracks in the grips and the fit is good. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Hardened
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is heavy stubborn fouling and carbon buildup with some erosion. This revolver should be heavily cleaned before use. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is slight thinning of finish on the leading edges. There are no significant dings or marks on the finish. There is some carbon buildup on the face of the cylinder. There is an intermittent turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces no perceptible play. The Hammer spring is tight and 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: None
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army remains one of the most enduring revolver designs in American history, and the Third Generation examples represent Colt’s commitment to keeping the Peacemaker alive well into the late twentieth century. By 1981, the Single Action Army was no longer a utilitarian sidearm of necessity, but a deliberate continuation of a historic pattern, produced for enthusiasts who valued tradition, balance, and Colt’s Hartford lineage. The familiar contours, case-hardened frame, and deep blue finish preserve the visual language established in 1873, making each Third Generation revolver a direct descendant of the original frontier sixgun.
This example is chambered in .45 Colt, the cartridge most closely associated with the Single Action Army’s legacy. Introduced in 1873 alongside the revolver itself, the .45 Colt earned its reputation as a powerful and versatile cartridge, serving in military, civilian, and sporting roles throughout the American West. Paired here with the classic 5 1/2 inch barrel, the revolver offers the well-balanced configuration long favored for its combination of handling, sight radius, and traditional appearance.
Condition remains strong, with approximately 97 percent of the original blue and case-hardened finish retained, crisp markings, and sharp screw heads. While the bore shows heavy fouling and carbon buildup consistent with use, the rifling remains sharp, and the revolver presents as a well-preserved Third Generation Colt with honest signs of use rather than neglect. This is a solid example of a late-production Single Action Army that reflects Colt’s enduring craftsmanship and the continued appeal of the Peacemaker well into the
