Make: Colt, engraved by Conrad Anderson

Model: Single Action Army, 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 6100SA, 6101SA

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

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Side-Loading Gate Revolvers

Markings: The left side of each barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. The top of each barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of each frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2,72 JAN. 19,75” along with the Rampant Colt logo. The underside of each frame at the grip frame is marked “6100SA” and "6101SA", respectively, again marked on the left side of each grip frame (under the grips). The inside rear face of each loading gate is marked with the assembly number “136” and "137", respectively, found again on the right rear of each frame and the front face of each cylinder. The front faces of the cylinders are also marked "00" and "01", respectively. The left front of each trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “P”, the right of each trigger guard is marked “5”. The rear face of each cylinder is marked with a Rampant Colt logo. The butt of each grip frame is engraved "Anderson". The revolvers have incredible floral scroll, punch dot, and border engraving on the barrels, cylinders, and grip frames, with a phenomenal ox-drawn covered wagon rolling across the open prairie with a rider on horseback at the front of the one man “wagon train” scene engraved at the left muzzle of each barrel, two gold bands at the front of each barrel, a single gold band at the rear of each barrel and ejector housing, and two gold bands at the rear of each cylinder.

Barrel Length: 5 1/2”

Sights / Optics: The front sights are quarter-round blades fixed to the fronts of the barrels. The rear sights are square notches integral to the topstraps.

Stock Configuration & Condition: Each revolver has been fitted with gorgeous custom two-piece stag grips with elegant natural stippling. The grips have some scattered shaping wear, but no notable damage. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine Plus condition as original to the time of engraving, but not original to the guns as they left the factory.

Type of Finish: Blue, Gold, & Case Color

Finish Originality: Beautifully refinished at the time of engraving.

Bore Condition: 

6100SA: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there are some streaks of stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates an 8 out of 10.

6101SA: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates a 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: 

6100SA: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in the frame's case hardening which shows some minor muting and scattered spots of faint surface oxidation. The action shows minor operational wear including minor turn-wear on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine Plus condition as custom engraved.

6101SA: This revolver retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in the frame's case hardening which shows some minor muting. There are some spots of faint surface oxidation on the side faces of the hammer. The action shows minor operational wear including faint 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 Fine Plus condition as custom engraved.

Mechanics: The actions function correctly. The cylinders lock up with minor play on each chamber, 6101SA has slightly more notable end-shake than 6100SA. We did not fire these handguns. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The expiration of Smith & Wesson's patent on the bored-through cylinder in 1869 led Colt to design the revolutionary M-1873 Single Action Army, which soon earned the moniker the "Peacemaker", "Equalizer", and "gun that won the West". Carried by soldiers, cowboys, lawmen and outlaws alike, the Colt SAA quickly became synonymous with the untamed wilds of the American West. Manufactured from 1873-1941, the Single Action Army was discontinued by Colt as it tooled up to provide for the war effort in WW2. Colt also believed that the design was obsolete, as swing-out cylinder revolvers had been around for half a century, and autoloaders were gaining in popularity. The SAA most likely would have never been made again if not for the “cowboy craze” of the 1950s. Demand for Colt SAAs skyrocketed, and led Colt to reintroduce this American classic in 1956, birthing the 2nd Generation Colt Single Action Army.

This is a stunning, rare, consecutive serial number pair of Colt 2nd Generation Single Action Army revolvers made in 1956, the first year of those "Second Gens". Per the consignor, they were donated to the Happy Trails Children's Foundation. A continuation of a project started by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Happy Trails provides a home and treatment for severely abused and neglected children in Apple Valley, California. We have no reason to doubt this attribution from the consignor, as Conrad Anderson of Rocktree Ranch has been associated with Happy Trails since at least the 1980s. As a highly talented and accomplished engraver and silversmith, Conrad Anderson has donated engraved guns, spurs, silver-adorned saddles, and other items for the program's fundraisers for decades. Happy Trails then sells raffle tickets, with the proceeds supporting their noble cause, and the lucky winner of the grand prize usually brings home an incredible Colt Single Action Army.

This pair is gorgeous, with engraving, gold bands, stag grips, stunning iridescent color case hardening on the frames and hammers, and consecutive serial numbers to boot. They’re truly a visual cornucopia displaying the “gunmaker’s canvas”. These Colt SAAs are in outstandingly high condition, and this pair could easily be the cornerstone of any Colt Single Action Army collection.