Colt Single Action Army SAA 3rd Gen Sheriff’s Model 44-40 Revolver 1980 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,875.00
LSB#: WY240808RF001
Make: Colt
Model: Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: SA39125
Year of Manufacture: 1980, ATF C&R “Colt, Sheriffs Model revolver, cal.’s .44 and .45.”
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester (WCF)
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SHERIFF’S MODEL”, the top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”, the right is marked “COLT S.A.A. .44-.40”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2,72 JAN. 19,75” and with a rampant colt. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “SA39125”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “SA39125” under the grips. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with a “K”, the right front is marked “H”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “9125”, the rear face is marked “44-40”. The outside of the cylinder is marked “44-40”. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “391 25”
Barrel Length: 3″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the top and American eagle at the bottom. The left panel has a couple of nicks at the bottom edge, the right has a small loss at the bottom edge below the eagle. The checkering is well defined and there is good detail in the colts and eagles. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good 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 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in light scraping on the recoil shield, not visible when the cylinder is installed. Otherwise, there are only a few scattered minor marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with barely perceptible play on each of the chambers. 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 in a faux-wood cardboard Colt box with serial-matching label, two-piece styrofoam inserts and manual.
Our Assessment: Colt’s Model 1873, the Single Action Army, is the “gun that won the west”, perhaps the most iconic handgun of all time. For more than 150 years, the gun has been produced in a variety of configurations, finishes and calibers. This revolver is a beauty to behold and one of the finest single action revolvers ever produced. It is a Colt Sheriff’s model in Fine condition with 96% of its original metal finish, a bright bore with sharp rifling and strong mechanics. It comes with its original box and manual. With a 3″ barrel, no ejector rod assembly, and cylinder chambered for the classic .44-40 Winchester cartridge, this is a classy revolver from muzzle to butt. A factory Colt with this gun’s features is going to take a prized place in a Colt collection, especially one in this high condition. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
