Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 72698SA
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Side Loading Gate Revolver
Barrel Length: 4 3/4"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a 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 handmade Tony Kojis TK smooth wood. The right panel has a slight palm-swell. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Refinished, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are some scattered minor nicks and tiny scratches, mostly around the outside of the cylinder. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a through cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver includes a John Taffin Collection Certificate of Authenticity.
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 is from very late in 2nd Generation production, 1975, just as the SAA production line would be closed for the second time. It has been customized with a gorgeous set of grips from Tony Kojis as well as being refinished with blue on the barrel and cylinder, but case color finish on the frame, grip frame, hammer, and ejector housing, giving it a very distinctive appearance. It sports a 4 3/4? barrel and is chambered for the original .45 Colt cartridge. For collectors and shooters, this SAA is both a practical revolver and an appealing custom piece from the notable collection of prolific gun-writer John Taffin. Please see our photos and good luck!
