
Colt Trans Alaskan Pipeline Single Action Army SAA .45 Revolver, 1978
SOLD FOR: $3976
LSB#: 230722RF002
Make: Colt
Model: Trans Alaska Pipeline: Milepost 395 of 801, Commemorative Single Action Army
Serial Number: 91395SA
Year of Manufacture: 1978, ATF C&R
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 7 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 integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black, hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops and American eagles below. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering, colts and eagles are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Full Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. 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 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup shows barely perceptible play. The trigger pull 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 with a faux-wood cardboard Colt box with serial-matching label, two-piece styrofoam insert, an assortment of factory paperwork including manual, matching Kershaw fixed-blade knife, and a wood display case with a hinged lid, french-fit for the revolver and knife. A key for the case is included.
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army handgun is a single action revolver designed for the US government service revolver trials of 1873 by Colt’s Manufacturing Company and adopted as the standard military service revolver until 1892. Although the SAA has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths, its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. Colt has discontinued its production twice, but brought it back due to excessive demand.
This example was made to commemorate the completion of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. One of these revolvers was made for each of the 801 miles of the pipeline, this being made for milepost 395. In 1968, oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay on the Northern coast of Alaska. As America became more and more dependent on foreign oil, this new source was a valuable opportunity, and plans for the 800 mile pipeline were set into motion. The project faced challenges not only from the harsh and isolated environment of Northern Alaska, but also legal challenges from enviro-weenies who had probably never been to Alaska, and never would. Despite this, the project was completed and was a perfect opportunity for a new Colt commemorative revolver.
These revolvers have a couple of interesting features, namely the full-blue finish and an unfluted cylinder. They were also supplied with a matching Kershaw fixed-blade knife as well as a presentation case fitted for revolver and knife. This is a beautiful set for the Colt collector, but also for residents and fans of The Last Frontier. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
