The gun that won the west! Or at least one of the guns that won the west. Most agree the Colt SAA was the revolver that won the west and the Winchester 1873 is the rifle that won the west. Both hit the market in 1873. In this article, we will focus on the Colt SAA and how to identify the different generations by serial number.
First Generation: 1873 through 1940. First generation guns are very collectible and sought after. Early first generation SAAs are considered to have a “black powder” frame. In 1896, Colt changed over to the “smokeless” frame, but did not guarantee any of their SAA revolvers for use with smokeless power until 1898. First generation Colt SAAs are easy to identify by serial number. There are no letters in first gen serial numbers. First gen. serial number range: 1- 357859.
Above photo is of a 1916 1st generation Colt SAA.
Production ceased during World War 2 to devote all of Colt’s resources to the 1911 production. Colt management did not plan to continue production of the SAA after WW II, but Bill Ruger changed their minds, proving there was still a demand for a single-action revolver. Production began again in 1956. This marked the start of the second generation of SAAs. 2nd generation production ran through 1975. Second generation revolvers are easily identified by the SA suffix. Colt did continue using the SA suffix for 3rd gen guns, so the SA suffix doesn’t necessarily mean 2nd generation. 2nd gen. serial number range: 0001SA through 73319SA.
The above photo is of a 1960 2nd generation Colt SAA.
This brings us to the third generation of Colt Single Action Army revolvers. 3rd gen SAAs are not as easy to identify as the 1st and 2nd gens. Colt began 3rd gen production in 1976 with serial number 80000SA. Once they ran out of digits in 1978 with serial number 99999SA, they used SA as a prefix and began with serial number SA01001. This carried them through 1993 where they again ran out of digits with serial number SA99999. This time they split the SA and started with serial number S02001A. To my knowledge and research, Colt is still using this sequence. Since Colt is only making a handful of SAAs per year as of late, this sequence will likely carry them several years into the future.
The above photo is of a 3rd generation Colt SAA.
Thanks Johnny D. for the great Colt SAA photos!
Bernie Tulino
01/01/2023
at 1:35pm
I can not find this third generation number in a look up Number sa10930
David
01/07/2023
at 7:04pm
Colt SAA 7.5 BBL 44 spl s/n SA08220
Gunstores Team
01/26/2023
at 2:38pm
Hi David, Your SAA is a 3rd generation that was manufactured in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Visit https://coltarchives.com/ to purchase a letter with the exact ship date, shipping location, etc. Thanks!
William weidert
02/26/2023
at 4:30pm
What year was this colt saa made serial 01586p?
Gunstores Team
01/26/2023
at 2:36pm
Hi Bernie, Your 3rd generation Colt SAA was likely manufactured in the late 1970s or early 1980s. You can purchase an archive letter from Colt Archive Properties for more definitive information. https://coltarchives.com/ Thanks!
Joel King
01/16/2023
at 2:37pm
We also have a Colt SN# SA55047 that we are selling at auction and we can not find the year of this one either. Any help would be appreciated.
Gunstores Team
01/26/2023
at 2:39pm
Hi Joel, According to my limited research, your 3rd generation SAA was manufactured in 1981. You can purchase an archive letter from Colt Archive Properties for more definitive information. https://coltarchives.com/ Thanks!
marc d. leverette
01/21/2023
at 10:21am
i have a nickel colt saa with #184899. it has a 4 3/4 in. barrel marked 38 w.c.f. and it a .22 cal ..it has the jan. 19 , 75 on the frame. it also has adj. sights , black poly. grips with a silver colt medallion , the gate has 30 stamped on the inside. please tell me what i have here.
Gunstores Team
01/26/2023
at 2:40pm
Hi Marc, Serial number 184899 was manufactured in 1899 and is a 1st generation. The caliber and sights have me perplexed. Maybe it was converted at some time? Without seeing it, it is hard to provide more info.
Jason Dunham
01/22/2023
at 7:42pm
The only numbers stamped on my 3rd Gen Colt SAA are 205314, no prefix or suffix, but I know it's a 3rd Gen Colt.
Gunstores Team
01/26/2023
at 2:57pm
Hi Jason, In Colt's serial number search, your SN returns a 1st gen SAA manufactured in 1901. I do not have any info on a 3rd gen SAA with that SN.
Jason Dunham
02/17/2023
at 1:59pm
After further research, my Colt is a Colt Cowboy, not a true SAA
Jason Dunham
04/05/2023
at 1:00pm
Having contacted Colt, they concurred with your assessment that it is a 1st Gen gun made in 1901. I do not know what caliber it is, but have submitted a request for a letter from the Colt Archives, with plans to fully restore it
Rick
01/26/2023
at 12:12pm
I have a colt saa 44 cal. 51/2 barrel serial no. 226980 Can you help me find theyear it was made?
Gunstores Team
01/26/2023
at 2:40pm
Hello Rick, Your SAA is a 1st generation manufactured in 1902.
Chuck
02/12/2023
at 1:19pm
Help ! My SAA with a left side bbl stamping “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” # SA66XXX has only 44 stamped on the underside of the bbl near the cylinder pin. This is my first SAA and it is unfired. I do not know if this stamping is for .44-40 or 44 SPL I am learning; please share knowledge Respectfully
Chuck
02/17/2023
at 1:43pm
Rick, I am new to the Colt SAA I recently purchased a SAA # SA66XXX The only caliber stamping that refers to the cartridge is “44” on the underside of the bbl, directly above the cylinder pin. Is this for the 44-40 or the 44 SPL ? Thank You, Chuck
Wesley Chessman
02/23/2023
at 5:49pm
My SAA is ser. # 190731 Cal. .44 Spl. It appears to have a smokeless powder frame but don't want to shoot it till I know for sure.
Gunstores Team
05/15/2023
at 11:30am
Hi Wesley, Colt's serial number lookup shows your 1st generation SAA to be manufactured in 1899 which should be a smokeless frame, but I would recommend more research including a Colt archive letter of authenticity. Here is a link to the Colt archives site. Thanks! https://coltarchives.com/
Frank
03/27/2023
at 7:52pm
Hi. I have a colt frontier single action army revolver. 45 cal with a 4 3/4 inch barrel. It is a first generation since the serial # is 349211. It is in mint condition. Nickel plated with what I think could be ivory handles. Any ballpark idea of its value?
trevor
04/01/2023
at 10:05pm
High I have a SAA 44 spl SN# SA29046. I have not been able to lookup on the Colt site. Any help would be great and appreciated.
C Dillow
04/29/2023
at 9:50pm
Serial # 68754 on gun in several places, only 8754 on cylinder 45 cal
Gunstores Team
04/30/2023
at 5:18am
Hi C Dillow, Colt's serial number lookup shows your 1st generation SAA as made in 1881. If it could talk, I would love to hear the stories!
Eric
04/30/2023
at 8:57am
I have a 357 mag single action serial number A5695 and you tell me what’s this mean?
Gunstores Team
05/15/2023
at 11:25am
Eric, I do not recognize that serial number sequence. It may be a Colt reproduction. Some manufacturers that produce copies do a great job and it's hard to tell them from a Colt.
Ron
05/12/2023
at 3:32pm
I have acquired a SSA .45 , 4 3/4”barrel with case colored frame SN 260400 no prefix or suffix. However the patent date on the left side of the frame reads: sept 19. 1871. July 2. 72 Jan 19. 75 Can you help my identify year and model? Thanks
Gunstores Team
05/15/2023
at 11:22am
Hi Ron, According to Colt's serial number lookup, you have a 1st Generation SAA manufactured in 1904! Very nice acquisition!
Will
05/17/2023
at 5:35pm
Hello there a few years back I discovered a colt saa 45 peacemaker buried in an old tin wrapped in an old oil cloth in really good condition. It's serial number is 4460 has a stamp infront of trigger guard marked c c ca anyone tell me anything about the history of this gun? Thank you!
Tom Oldfather
05/22/2023
at 10:49am
I have a .45 Colt with serial number 207837 in a 5 1/2 barrel with either pearl or ivory grips. When was in made? Pls
Gunstores Team
05/22/2023
at 10:56am
Hello Tom, According to Colt's serial number lookup, your first generation Colt SAA was manufactured in 1901. Thanks!
Danny Davila
05/31/2023
at 9:32pm
I have a Colt single action with serial number 56167. It has a 5 1/2 inch barrel. I don't know what year and caliber it is.
Gunstores Team
06/01/2023
at 3:41pm
Hi Danny, According to Colt's serial number lookup, your first generation SAA was manufactured in 1880! I would recommend purchasing a factory archive letter. Here is a link to the Colt Archives site- https://coltarchives.com/
Tom Fulton
06/09/2023
at 5:14pm
I just purchased a SAA 4.75 Colt Blue Finish Model P S41381A. On the box it has P2840 with a Z1 added by pen. Can you tell me what year this was made? Estimated value?
Gary Gordon
06/23/2023
at 2:26am
I have a Frontier with serial #183069. Was it manufactured in 1898 or 1899? As you know, it makes a huge difference.
John Pinzel
08/10/2023
at 4:16pm
I have a Colt Single Action Army 38 Special ser. # 172475, nickel plated, only thing not plated is the cylinder. 7.5 barrel, nice condition. Can you tell me what I have and value?
Gregory Carriglio
08/14/2023
at 3:47pm
I have a Colt frontier 22 serial number 22843PK how do I find out when does gun was made?
Steve
07/02/2024
at 4:34pm
I just bought a Colt SAA IN 44 Spl. With a SA PREFEX that is 200 numbers higher than yours. Mfg date : 1979
Mike
08/17/2024
at 6:22pm
On my Colt SAA on the left side, below the cylinder, it has stamped "AT. SEPT.19.1871." but then just below that it has "JULY.2.2-72." and then below that "JAN.19.-75." So was this pistol originally from 1871 but then got refurbished in 1972 and 1975?