Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 41069SA
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single Action Side Loading Gate 6-Shot Revolver
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 topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at the tops. The interior of each panel has "069" hand-scribed. The grips have a few light nicks and scuffs, most notable on the left panel. The checkering is well defined with good detail in the colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition. The grip screw is a replacement.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn copper fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip areas, mostly gone to a light patina. The frame's case color shows some muting and faint oxidation. There are a few light nicks, scuffs and scratches including a scratch on the bottom of the barrel from removal/installation of the cylinder pin. The action shows operational wear including scattered turn-wear on the cylinder. 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 handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a Colt Stagecoach box. The box has wear and tears with two ends of the lid torn off, but included.
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 SAAs.
This example was produced in 1965 with blue and case color finish, a 4 3/4? barrel and is chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. It comes in a period-correct Colt "Stagecoach" box and is in Very Good condition, appearing to have seen responsible use over the last 61 years. This would make a neat addition to any collection and should still prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
