Colt 2nd Gen Single Action Army SAA, Nickel 5 1/2″ 6-Shot SA Revolver & Box, 1966 C&R .357 Magnum

SOLD FOR: $2,525.00
LSB#: 180918JR11

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army 2nd Generation

Serial Number: 42296SA

Year of Manufacture: 1966 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special

Action Type: 6-Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357 MAGNUM”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2,72 JAN. 19,75” and with the rampant colt logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame, the left side of the upper and lower grip frame straps (under the grip) are marked “42296SA”. The inside rear face of the loading gate is marked with the assembly number “83”, found again on the right rear of the frame. The front face of the cylinder is marked “M296. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “V”, the right is marked “P”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked with a Rampant Colt logo.

Barrel Length: 5 1/2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece smooth bone with inlaid silver-colored 5-pointed stars on each side at the top-front. The grips have a few scattered light marks. There is a grain pattern on the bottom with a couple of short, thin cracks starting along the grain. The grips are in overall Very Good-Fine condition as not original to the revolver.

Type of Finish: Nickel with Blued screw heads.

Finish Originality: The revolver’s finish is Original, however the screws are replaced or refinished.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are scattered light marks, though none go through the finish. The cylinder has a faint turn line, not through the finish. The screw heads are mostly sharp with some showing light tool marks. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in about Fine-plus condition. The revolver looks Excellent at arms length and would likely be Excellent but for the non-original grips and screws.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has little play on each chamber. The timing is good. The trigger pull is crisp. The mainspring has been shaved and polished, reducing tension and smoothing the action. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a two-piece “Stagecoach” box, hand-marked on each end “357 / S/5 1/2”. The lid has tears at three corners and scattered wear. The tray portion has light wear on the exterior at corners. Overall, the box is in about Good condition.

Our Assessment: Production of Single Action Army revolvers was halted at the outset of World War II to free up machines and manpower for filling wartime orders. After the war, Colt decided not to bring the iconic revolver back into production as it was seen as obsolete. The advent of swing-out cylinder revovlers and reliable semi-automatic pistols, they thought, meant that there was no place in the market for the antiquated single action revolver. 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 is a Fine-plus example from 1966 which looks Excellent and would make a prized addition to any Colt collection or to the collection of fans of classic western firearms or television. Should you choose to shoot this revolver, .38 Special and .357 Magnum ammunition is comerically available. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible single action revolver CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.