Colt Single Action Army SAA Buntline 2nd Gen 12″ SAA .45 Revolver, 1967 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,655.00

WOA#: WY240415EH030

Make: Colt

Model: Second Generation Buntline Special

Serial Number: 45855SA

Year of Manufacture: 1967 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT BUNTLINE SPECIAL .45”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2,72 JAN. 19,75” and with the “Rampant Colt” logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “45855SA”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked “45855SA” under the grips. The left of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and “V”. The right side of the trigger guard is marked “K”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “855”, the rear has a rampant colt. The right-rear of the frame and the rear face of the loading gate have assembly number “399”. The inside of each grip panel has “855” hand-written in white.

Barrel Length: 12?

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 grips are two-piece smooth walnut panels. The grips have a few scattered minor marks, most notable is a thin scratch on the bottom of the right panel. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about 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 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a nick on the outside edge of the muzzle at the bottom. There is an odd polish imperfection on the top-right of the barrel about mid-way. The action shows minor operational wear including faint turn-wear on the cylinder. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with barely perceptible play on each chamber. 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: This revolver comes in a two-piece cardboard wood-grain Colt box with the serial number hand-written on the bottom of the tray, model-matching label, and manual. The box has tape-repaired tears and scattered wear.

Our Assessment: Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a nice one to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1967, this revolver is a Buntline Special chambered in the classic .45 Colt cartridge, the original chambering for the SAA, with a 12? barrel. It is in Fine-plus condition, showing signs of minimal and responsible use. The bore is great and the mechanics are strong. The Buntline designation originally referred to any SAA with a barrel longer than the longest standard length of 7 1/2?. They were originally only available by special order with the pre-war guns being quite rare. When the Buntline Special was reintroduced as a standard configuration in 1957, starting in the 12400SA range, the barrels were marked with a “Buntline Barrel” number starting with BB 100 to prevent nefarious characters from pulling the barrels and installing them on 1st generation guns to pass them off as pre-war buntlines. Though Colt also sold BB marked barrels separately, the marking was discontinued by 1967. This is going to be popular with collectors, a 2nd Generation Buntline Special in this high condition with its original box doesn’t come around every day. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud