Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 22982SA

Year of Manufacture: 1958

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Barrel Length: 4 3/4"

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 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 has "982" hand-scribed. The grips have even minor handling wear on the exterior with a few tiny marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The left panel has a repair at the screw escutcheon bolster on the interior. Overall, the grips appear in Fine condition when installed and rate Very Good due to the repair.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some minor erosion and scattered stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is light handling wear and some minor oxidation in the grip areas. There are some light nicks and small scratches, mostly on the trigger guard. The action shows operational wear including turn-wear on the cylinder. The barrel's finish has a slight plum hue. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good 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: None.

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 example comes from 1958 and shows signs of responsible use over the last 70 years. The gun is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge with a 4 3/4" barrel, making it handy with readily available commercial ammunition. This would make a nice addition to a Colt or revolver collection, but it should also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!