Colt Single Action Army SAA Buntline 2nd Gen 12″ SAA .45 Revolver, 1968 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,500
LSB#: 240208LW001
Make: Colt
Model: Second Generation Buntline Special
Serial Number: 48075SA
Year of Manufacture: 1968 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver
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 stag panels. The grips have minor handling wear. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: The revolver is blued with a case colored frame.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning lightly at some edges. The action shows minor operational wear including minor turn-wear on the cylinder. There are a few scattered minor marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. 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: None.
Our Assessment: Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a nice one to add to any collection. Manufactured in 1968, 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 doesn’t come around every day. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud