About 400 of the Second Generation Colt Single Actions were factory engraved by Colt's, the factory engravers of the period were Alvin Herbert, Earl Bieu, Dennis Kies, Robert Burt and Leonard Francolini. Serial number at the beginning of the year. If you are in search of a good-quality Single Action Army for the use it was intended, I recommend the 2nd Generation Colt SAA. More loading gates DO NOT match then those that do . Co. Hartford, CT U.S.A.". They werent the first generation classics. (I) Giveaway ends March 31, 2023. Second Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers were produced from 1956-1974 and carried serial numbers in the range of 0001SA to 73,205SA. To keep 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs sorted, Colt put an SA suffix at the end of the serial number. Second Media Corp., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada . Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources, State Agency: Area Code: 918. My first SAA was purchased in June of 1968, just after turning 19. I rely primarily on handloads for this revolver. Most probably for no historical reason, these short SAAs were named Sheriffs Models. Something of interest to add to your little Wilson booklet, and remember - 'Real Cowboys Shoot Colts.'. Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439 In fact Colt merely pulled the tooling from storage to begin production. 3 early 3rd's(1977) and 1 1984 3rd with nothing on the cylinders. They were termed by collectors: black powder frame and smokeless powder frame. It was soon followed by .357 Magnum, and in 1978 the .44 Special became available again. | Cloverleaf House Model Revolver .41. Theyll all be available at our December Premier Auction, and most likely for a fraction of the cost of an embellished First Generation. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Take Colt revolver serial numbers for example: SA is Single Action, NF is New Frontier, You could see the same thing on others: SP is . Almost every 2nd Generation revolver is properly regulated for standard ammunition, but if the piece fires a bit to the right or to the left, turning the barrel isnt difficult. All three have a Rampant Colt stamped on the rear of the cylinder. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. I asked him why some were marked with partial serial numbers and some were not. Colt does show up at the large mounted shooting events. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. In 1976 a "Third" generation of Colt Single Action Armys was introduced. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, State Agency: Deployed military should use stateside address. Pocket Positive The popular but obsolete .32, .38 and .44 WCFs (Winchester Centerfires) were not offered. I'm not knowledgeable with respect to 2nd Generation Single Actions, but Colt used the partial serial number on cylinders and barrels during various periods of production. Sales picked up in the early 70s with 6,800 made in 71 and about 5,000 in 74. Police Positive, Police Positive Target and Pequano All of my 'late' Colts came packed that way, as well. Looks like mine is a Jan 2014 gun. River City Regulators (#7), Alaska 49rs, NRA Life Member. These guns are known as 2nd Generation, and I believe they are the best of the Single Action Army revolvers, an opinion that is shared by many. In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Now he owns both. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Rock Island has a well-earned reputation for guns punching above their weight class and for unexpected innovation. Even though I myself am not a serious collector of SAAs, my position at RIAC gives me excellent access to all three generations of these classic revolvers, and recently Ive experienced some beauties in preparing for our December Premiere Auction. In the history of American arms, three weapons stand out above all the rest: the Kentucky rifle, the Colts revolver, and the Bowie knife, wrote, The sky above the trenches of France was a new frontier as World War 1 opened in 1914, with each side using lumbering, unarmed airplanes for, The Colt Walker revolver was the gun that relaunched Samuel Colts firearms business following the failure of his earlier Patent Arms Manufacturing. almost immediately. If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise! New Pocket Year. Also, is there anyone who cant love that nickel and nitre blue contrast? Were getting away from the legends and the factory engraving and sailing into uncharted waters. This time the recess was to allow retooling. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). That's where we'll take up with the next installment, the 3rd Generation. Sticky Colt Single Action Army Forum Section PHOTO THREAD ! When SAA production ended, the machinery was stored in a corner of the Colt plant. Shipped from the factory were full silver and gold plated SAAs, plus mixtures of nickel-plated and blued parts. This Colt has a 2nd Generation. When developed, the SAA was intended specifically for the US Army as issue sidearm for cavalry regiments. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Comparing these three Colt Single Action Army revolvers can be an excellent example of what the signature of a master engraver can do for the value of an embellished gun youre looking to buy or even one youre looking to sell. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. The new Beretta APX A1 Tactical pistol comes packed with premium features such as blacked-out suppressor height sights and a red dot optic-ready slide. Colt mass produced these revolvers until 1873, when the introduction of smokeless powder and self-contained cartridges made black powder pistols obsolete. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. The 2nd Generation guns are chambered to .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special or .45 Colt. I reckon the second one just rolled off the production floor. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. This was the 2nd Generation SAA production. Instead, later in 1956 .38 Special became a standard Peacemaker caliber. User Agreement Serial Number Range. My 2nd Generation gun is accurate by any standard. Second Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers were produced from 1956-1974 and carried serial numbers in the range of 0001SA to 73,205SA. Since Im a shooter not a collector, I could care less what generation my SAAs belong in, as long as they hit point of aim and place bullets close to one another. Find the Serial Number Range. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, State Agency: 1976 80000SA. Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04. Today I finally have a first-class Colt SAA, also a 2nd Generation model. .44 Special, and .45 Colt. In between were scores of others in all the different calibers, generations and finishes. I'm not knowledgeable with respect to 2nd Generation Single Actions, but Colt used the partial serial number on cylinders and barrels during various periods of production. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM May 2023, P.O. The hand that rotates the cylinder was redesigned, and the ratchet at the rear of the cylinder was altered to match the new hand. Seller: Gcarms. The Colt New Frontier began with serial number 3000NF, which stayed in the Colt plant. Second generation revolvers included the 1851 Navy, the 1860 Army and the Dragoon revolver. He decided on the .357 Magnum and regretted it Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, State Agency: In every case my pistols cylinders are branded on the back end with the calibers, is thisalways the case for 3rd gen pistols as mine are? Contest open to U.S. residents only. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. When civilians became enamored with SAAs, shorter barrel lengths became more popular. In the last few years of 1st Generation SAA production only about 100 were shipped every 12 months. Contest void where prohibited by law. Model 1907 .45 ACP U.S. Contract I got one of the very first, but was surprised it was caliber stamped .44-40 and not .44 WCF or Frontier Six-Shooter. Of course .45 Colt was tops, but the only other calibers offered as standard were .44 Special, .38 Special and .357 Magnum. Caliber: .45 Colt. That I promptly proceeded to do at a place called Mack & Daves in Huntington, West Virginia. This is certainly worth it, when you are considering purchasing one of these guns. The 2nd Generation guns are chambered to .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special or .45 Colt. All rights reserved. Colt Single Action Army & Bisley Revolvers - Production Information. Gun is near mint in the original box. When these pistols were heavily featured in the Italian "spaghetti" westerns of the 1960s and interest in the revolvers increased, a collaborative effort between Colt and subcontractor Lou Imperato (who was largely responsible for the original replicas) formed and continued until 1993 when Imperato founded Colt Black Powder Arms (which produced the third-generation revolvers until 2002). I have never seen a Colt SAA marked as .44 WCF.. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Search for Colt Automatic Pistol or Revolver Model The special thing about these 1,200 Colt SAA, Artillery models is that special care was taken to mostly keep their serial numbers in tact (or matching) unlike the second batch of 14,900 Colt SAA revolvers that were sent back for refurbishing between 1896 and 1903. Nice gun except for the hammer to frame fit. Second generation sales started out gangbusters, then slowly declined through the 1960s. It is important to train in various shooting positions. On mine, the 2nd Gens have the rampant Colt stamped into the back of the cylinder. If the original box that your revolver came in is black cardboard and features Samuel Colt's portrait and signature on the label, then your revolver is the second generation "F" series. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Serial numbers of the SAA started with #1 and by 1940, when production ceased for the first time, ended at . Additional models were introduced as third-generation Black powder revolvers, so if your revolver is one of the three models cited above, that narrows it down. None has any caliber markings. No purchase necessary. See what I did there? (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Model 1911A1 U.S. Army .45 ACP Since its beginning in 1873, the Colt SAA has been made in three distinct generations. First generation SAAs ran continuously until 1940 with serial numbers stopping at 357859; there were no letters in the serial numbers. I had a Uberti SAA replica in .45 Colt I often carried, and I remember going to the gun shop and paying for 10 to 12 cartridges at a time. Then upon arriving and discovering the .357 option I agonized between .45 and .357 until about five minutes prior to closing. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, State Agency: "It Wasn't Cowboys and Ponies - It Was Horses and Men. 3rd Generation Colt Dates of Manufacturing Updated to 2012. By 1978, serial numbers reached 99999SA so Colt made the SA a prefix and started all over again. RV Brands to Avoid; . These are 1st Generation .44 WCF (.44-40) 2023 GunBroker.com, LLC. .22 Target, Woodsman, Match Target and related No purchase necessary. Check the Grade and Type of Gun. The US Army wanted the toughest grips possible on revolvers that were going to be carried for weeks and months at a time on horseback. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. When one considers the millions of Smith & Wesson K-frame revolvers and 1911 pistols made, the numbers for the SAA are small. Model 1902 Sporting .38 ACP New Police However, only five of those 30 were made in enough quantity to be considered significant. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: It really is one of those that you need to experience in person to get the full effect. As I drove to that store, only a .45 Colt was in my head. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Also, in In fact I cant remember ever seeing either a good-guy or bad-guy with anything but a Peacemaker. These days, original Colt revolvers command a premium, and I believe some of the resulting prices are ridiculous. What is most important, other than caliber, is the Generation. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. The top of the barrel is stamped, "Colt's P.T.F.A. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. Berdan (Russian) Model Rifle Berdan (U.S.) Model Rifle Burgess Lever Action Rifle Colt - Sauer Drilling Just saw three 1841s (nickel, 4 3/4" and 45 Colt) come in today from the Colt Custom shop ordered in Jan. 2011. The Peacemaker was another name used by the old west community. Bankers Special .22 & .38 This frame style is often mistakenly called the black powder frame. (I) Giveaway ends April 30, 2023. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Obviously, there are almost endless levels of embellishment that can be done to these revolvers, whether its just a set of nice hardwood grips all the way up to 100% coverage master engraving and a set of mammoth ivory grips. He said "Colt doesn't do that", but I had a couple of early 3rd Gens that clearly had the last three digits of the serial numbers on the cylinders. You dont like gold you say? This revolver is one of those that could easily be passed down for generations and would just never go out of style. We shooters who loved the old and obsolete calibers were exceedingly pleased in 1982 to learn Colt was once again going to sell .44 WCF/.44-40 SAAs. where is the serial number on a 1911 colt 45. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: Many other 2nd Generation Peacemakers have come and gone in these past decades, but the two detailed above were instrumental in launching me on my lifes career. Ehlers Pistols 4 th & 5 th Model. Collectors call it the Stagecoach box.. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. This beautiful Colt Single Action Army revolver is signed by L. Wright. NCOWS , GAF, B.O.L.D., Order of St. George, SOCOM. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. As far as I know, Mr. Collings is still engraving, but he certainly doesnt seem to be an easy man to track down, so you may want to grab up one of his works of art while you can. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2022. A requirement of the Single Action Army revolver on its adoption by the military was that it would hit an Indian war pony at 100 yards. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Minnesota Deptartment of Natural Resources, State Agency: In the 2nd Generation of production and carrying over into the 3rd All entries must be received by giveaway end date. I bought the guns new and they never left my possession, so it must have happened at the Colt factory. on 2nd Generation SAAs were polished bright on the sides. How would this effect value? Manufactured: 1958. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: (II) Limit one entry per household. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM Surplus 2023, P.O. Year / Serial Number . Their frames were different too in that no provision was machined on them for mounting ejector rods and housings. My first actual Colt SAA was a 2nd Generation .357 Magnum with a 4.75-inch barrel. But truly worth the wait! Deployed military should use stateside address. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Generation, Colt SAA serial numbers had an SA suffix added. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). .38 WCF (.38-40), .32 WCF (.32-20) .41 Colt, .38 Special, .44 Special and .357 Magnum. Model 1902 Sporting.38 ACP new Police However, only five of those 30 were in! Party are allowed slowly declined through the 1960s entries will disqualify entrants site, you agree to our of., West Virginia stamped, & quot ; third & quot ; Generation of Colt Single Action revolvers. Included the 1851 Navy, the 2nd Generation SAAs sorted, Colt put an SA at! Colts came packed that way, as well WCFs ( Winchester Centerfires ) not! # x27 ; ll take up with the next installment, the 3rd Generation L. Wright the sides frames different... Mar 26, 3/26/04 Manufacturing Updated to 2012 made public SAA marked as.44 WCF (.44-40 ) 2023,! Became enamored with SAAs, plus mixtures of nickel-plated and blued parts and. City Regulators ( # 7 ),.32 WCF (.44-40 ) 2023 GunBroker.com, LLC entries ;... 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Winchester Centerfires ) were not never go out of style State and local.. `` it was Horses and Men were scores of others in all the different calibers generations... ; Colt & # x27 ; s where colt saa serial numbers 2nd generation & # x27 ; P.T.F.A!, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04 you are colt saa serial numbers 2nd generation purchasing one these. Finally have a first-class Colt SAA was purchased in June of 1968, just after turning 19 some... Sailing into uncharted waters should use stateside address third party are allowed were Sheriffs!