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May 25, 2022 By BC

A Guide: Which Generation is my Colt SAA?

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!

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Bernie Tulino

01/01/2023

at 1:35pm

I can not find this third generation number in a look up Number sa10930

Reply

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David

01/07/2023

at 7:04pm

Colt SAA 7.5 BBL 44 spl s/n SA08220

Reply

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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!

Reply

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William weidert

02/26/2023

at 4:30pm

What year was this colt saa made serial 01586p?

Reply

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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!

Reply

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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.

Reply

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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!

Reply

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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.

Reply

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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.

Reply

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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.

Reply

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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.

Reply

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Jason Dunham

02/17/2023

at 1:59pm

After further research, my Colt is a Colt Cowboy, not a true SAA

Reply

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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

Reply

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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?

Reply

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Gunstores Team

01/26/2023

at 2:40pm

Hello Rick, Your SAA is a 1st generation manufactured in 1902.

Reply

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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

Reply

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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

Reply

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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.

Reply

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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/

Reply

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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?

Reply

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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.

Reply

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C Dillow

04/29/2023

at 9:50pm

Serial # 68754 on gun in several places, only 8754 on cylinder 45 cal

Reply

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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!

Reply

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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?

Reply

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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.

Reply

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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

Reply

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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!

Reply

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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!

Reply

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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

Reply

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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!

Reply

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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.

Reply

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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/

Reply

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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?

Reply

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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.

Reply

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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?

Reply

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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?

Reply

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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

Reply

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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?

Reply

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