Colt Single Action Army SAA Black Powder Frame 7 1/2″ .45 LC Revolver 2007
SOLD FOR: $3680.55
LSB#: 211018RH03
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, 3rd Generation
Serial Number: S45990A
Year of Manufacture: 2007 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871. / ” JULY. 2, -72. / ” JAN. 19, -75”. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “S45990A”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “S45990A” under the grip. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle. The front face of the cylinder is marked “990” and the rear “45”. The rear of the loading gate is marked “990”. The inside of each original grip panel has “990” hand-scribed.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece walnut made by Paul Persinger. The grip has no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Excellent condition.
Also included are the original two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colts in ovals at their tops and American eagles at their bottoms. The original grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There is good detail in the colts and eagles. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the original grips are in Excellent condition. The original grips include a grip screw and indexing pin.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color with Case Color Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few very minor marks on the left of the frame in the flat and the recoil shield. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The case color is vibrant. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The mainspring appears to have been replaced. This revolver’s cylinder has a separate bushing. The lockup produces barely perceptible play on all six chambers. 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:
-White cardboard sleeve with serial-matching label
-Two-piece blue cardboard Colt box
-Assortment of factory paperwork including manual
-Cable Lock
-Original grips as described
-Brownells replacement base-pin screw
Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production the single Action Army; this would be the second time they discontinued production of this glorious revolver. Luckily, the loyal fans of the SAA would not need to wait long as colt would bring back the SAA in 1976 as the “3rd Generation”. Changes were made but the basic SAA was the same, i.e. three standard barrel lengths of 4 ¾”, 5 ½” and 7 ½”, finishes of full nickel or blue, with color case hardened frame, and grips of hard rubber.
Some changes were incorporated in an effort by Colt to keep prices down. One new change was a pressed-in cylinder pin bushing instead of the removable ones used in 1st and 2nd Generation cylinders. Also, the ratchet at the rear of the cylinders was re-shaped, which also necessitated a different shape on the rotating hand. And for some unknown reason, the pitch of the barrel’s threads was changed from the 20 threads per inch (TPI) as used on 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs to 24 TPI for these new ones. Toward the end of 2nd Generation production Colt had begun using some investment cast parts, but the frames continued to be forged. The introductory caliber for 3rd Generation SAAs was .45 Colt, but .357 Magnum came along by the end of 1976.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 2007, this revolver has some “later” features which were actually re-introduced from earlier SAAs. The frame is a “black powder frame” with a screw-secured base pin and the cylinder has a removable bushing. The frame also has the early-style three-line patent marking. Chambered for .45 Colt with a 7 1/2″ barrel and a case-color hammer, this is a wonderful modern example of the SAA which shares features of the earliest 1st Generation revolvers. The gun is in Excellent condition, appearing to have seen little if any use. Its original grips are included, but it’s currently wearing a one-piece walnut grip from Paul Persinger and it appears to have had a replacement mainspring installed. This makes it suitable for addition to a collection, but is also something that could be carried as a hunting sidearm or used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Please see our photos and good luck!