Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation (flat-top hammer)

Serial Number: 23050SA

Year of Manufacture: 1958 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/)

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 at the rear of a groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with Rampant Colts in ovals at their tops. The inside of each panel is hand-scribed "050". The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There is good detail in the Rampant Colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent Condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, matching serial and assembly numbers.

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 97% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges and corners. Most of the balance is in light turn wear on the cylinder. There are a few other 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. We did not fire this revolver. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a hinge-lid black cardboard box with matching end label, green interior, serial number hand-written on the bottom, manual, "Handling the Handgun" pamphlet and warranty card. 

Our Assessment: The expiration of Smith & Wesson's patent on the bored-through cylinder in 1869 led Colt to design the revolutionary M-1873 Single Action Army, which soon earned the monikers "Peacemaker" and "gun that won the West". Carried by soldiers, cowboys, ranchers, rustlers, lawmen and outlaws alike, the Colt SAA quickly became synonymous with the untamed wilds of the American West. Manufactured from 1873-1941, the Single Action Army was discontinued by Colt as they tooled up to provide for the war effort in WW2. Colt also believed that the design was obsolete, as swing-out cylinder revolvers had been around for half a century, and autoloaders were gaining in popularity. The SAA most likely would have never been made again if not for the “cowboy craze” of the 1950s. Demand for Colt SAAs skyrocketed, and led Colt to reintroduce this American classic in 1956, birthing the 2nd Generation Colt Single Action Army.

This Colt 2nd Gen SAA was made in late 1958 and is in Fine-plus Condition. It features a 7 1/2” barrel, 97% of its original factory blue and case color finish, classic two-piece checkered grips, matching serial and assembly numbers, strong mechanics, a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion. It comes with its original box. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection as an early 2nd Gen SAA.