Make: Colt

Model: Second Generation Buntline Special

Serial Number: 60532SA

Year of Manufacture: 1971

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 integral to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut. The inside of each panel has "532" hand-written in white pencil. The grips have a few scattered minor marks with a couple of light nicks at the bottom of the left panel. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original. Serial and assembly numbers match. The trigger guard is not serial-marked, but the fit and finish indicates that this was a factory oversight.

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 thinning lightly at some edges. The action shows minor operational wear including light turn-wear on the cylinder. There are a few scattered minor nicks and small scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 tooled black leather right-handed cross-draw holster.

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 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 example, from 1971, curiously does not have a serial marking on its trigger guard, but the fit and finish indicates this was a factory oversight. This is not the only marking idiosyncrasy, as Buntline Specials in this serial range had their left-side barrel markings notably further forward than those before or after. It is going to be popular with collectors, a 2nd Generation Buntline Special in this high condition doesn’t come around every day, and even comes with an attractive holster. Please see our photos and good luck!