Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 48439SA

Year of Manufacture: 1968

Caliber: .45 Colt

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 grips are non-matching to the gun. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There is good detail in the rampant colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus 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 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning lightly at some edges. There are some scattered minor nicks and thin scratches. There is a spot of oxidation on the left recoil shield. There is an odd line of finish loss on the left edge of the buttstrap. The action shows light operational wear including minor turn-wear on the cylinder. The screw heads are generally sharp, the ejector housing screw is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about 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 in a two-piece cardboard Stagecoach box.

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 Fine condition, showing signs of responsible use with a great bore and strong mechanics. The gun is chambered for the original .45 Colt cartridge, which will give it a nice balance of power and handiness with its 4 3/4" barrel. The gun comes with the Stagecoach box, collectible in its own right, and is just a nice example of a 2nd Gen SAA. 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!