In House Shipping:
Make: Colt
Model: Sheriff's Model Single Action Army, 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 0323SM
Year of Manufacture: 1960
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 3”
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 grips are two-piece smooth walnut panels. The grips have slight warping, with gaps to the frame at the bottom-front corners. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine Condition.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a little faint scuffing. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in the original pine wood presentation case marked "SHERIFF'S MODEL" on the exterior and interior lid. The case is 1 of 52 made by American Display Co., and period documentation exists (though is not included) discussing the fact that Colt would not allow their logo to be used on these cases. Also included is a Colt Archives letter confirming the revolver's original nickel finish, and that it was shipped on November 10, 1960 to Centennial Arms Corp. in Chicago, Illinois as one of 25 guns of the same type in the shipment.
Our Assessment: The expiration of Smith & Wesson's patent on the bored-through cylinder in 1869 led Colt to design the revolutionary M-1873 Single Action Army, which soon earned the moniker the "Peacemaker", "Equalizer", and "gun that won the West". Carried by soldiers, cowboys, ranchers, rustlers, lawmen and outlaws alike, the Colt SAA quickly became synonymous with the untamed wilds of the American West. Manufactured from 1873-1941, the Single Action Army was discontinued by Colt as they tooled up to provide for the war effort in WW2. Colt also believed that the design was obsolete, as swing-out cylinder revolvers had been around for half a century, and autoloaders were gaining in popularity. The SAA most likely would have never been made again if not for the “cowboy craze” of the 1950s. Demand for Colt SAAs skyrocketed, and led Colt to reintroduce this American classic in 1956, birthing the 2nd Generation Colt Single Action Army.
This Factory Nickel Colt 2nd Generation “Sheriff’s Model” Single Action Army was made in 1960 and is in Excellent Condition. Only 503 Sheriff's Models were produced in the 2nd Generation, and they were primarily sold through Centennial Arms Company of Chicago, with 478 blued and 25 in nickel finish. That makes this beauty just 1 of 25. Those few produced during the 2nd Generation carried an "SM" suffix on the serial number denoting Sheriff's Model. This revolver features a 3” barrel with no ejector rod assembly, 98% of its crisp, original factory nickel finish, elegant two-piece smooth walnut grips, strong mechanics, clear markings, a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion, the original 1 of 52 American Display Co. made pine wood presentation case marked “SHERIFF’S MODEL” on the exterior and interior lid, and the original Colt Archives letter confirming the revolver's original nickel finish, and that it was shipped on November 10, 1960 to Centennial Arms Corp. in Chicago, Illinois as one of 25 guns of the same type in the shipment. This Sheriff’s Model is a classy revolver from stem to stern, and would be a welcome addition to even the most advanced Colt Single Action Army collections.