Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 48791SA

Year of Manufacture: 1968

Caliber: .357 Magnum

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Barrel Length: 5 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 top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colts in ovals at their tops and American eagles at their bottoms. The grips are non-matching to the gun. The grips show little in the way of handling wear with only a few tiny marks. The checkering is well defined. There is good detail in the colts and eagles. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are only light handling marks and minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent 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 1968 and is in Excellent condition, showing signs of responsible use with a great bore and strong mechanics. The gun is chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge, added to the Single Action Army lineup in 1960. This gives a nice balance of power and sight radius with its 5 1/2" barrel. This would make a great addition to a Colt collection, but it will also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!