Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 8181SA

Year of Manufacture: 1956 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, the left is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2, 72 JAN. 19, 75” and with a rampant colt logo. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle at the front and “J” at the rear. The right side of the trigger guard is marked “3”. The bottom of the frame and the left of each portion of the grip frame are each marked “8181SA”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a rampant colt logo. The front face of the cylinder is marked with assembly number “211”. The rear face of the frame (under the right grip panel) and the rear face of the loading gate are each marked with assembly number “211”. The inside of each grip panel is hand-scribed “8181”.

Barrel Length: 7.5”

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 installed grips are two-piece Stag Horn stocks. They are custom made to the revolver. The edges are not as nice a fit to the frame as desired as they are a bit proud in places. There are no chips and no cracks.Overall the grips are in excellent condition as not original to the gun. 

The original grips (included) are two-piece checkered black hard rubber panels with rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There is good detail in the colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Re Finished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. The bore rates a 9.5/10 in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its current metal finish. There are spots of light finish wear at the muzzle and the leading edge of the ejector rod housing. The action shows light operational wear including a spotty turn-line on the cylinder. There are hairline scuffs on the barrel and evidence of prior pitting. The frame’s case color is somewhat faded. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are somewhat blurred. Overall, this revolver is in fine condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Lockup produces barely perceptible play on all six chambers. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder’s bushing is separate from the cylinder. 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: The revolver is accompanied by the original grips and a Brown wood grain Colt box (not original).

Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army is perhaps the quintessential old west handgun, produced for more than a century, serving the U.S. Army as its sidearm from 1873 into the first world war and captivating audiences on the silver screen. The SAA was discontinued by Colt as it tooled up to provide for the WWII war effort, and it was thought by Colt that the design was obsolete, swing-out cylinder revolvers had been around for half a century and autoloaders were gaining in popularity. Then, with the advent of television and western programs such as Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, and The Gene Autry Show, American interest in the guns that won the west was reborn. In 1956, Colt reintroduced the Single Action Army, this new production run now referred to as the 2nd Generation SAA’s. This is a 1956 made revolver chambered for .38 Special with a 7.5” barrel. This revolver is in fantastic condition, retaining about 97% of its current metal refinish, a great bore and strong mechanics. Its Stag grips are not original to the gun, but are well fit and in good shape. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection as one of the earliest of the second generation SAA revolvers, and would still make for a great six-shooter chambered in a relatively inexpensive and easy to find cartridge.