[ussmanlovede36]

Colt SAA 4 3/4" 357mag Blue and CC. Serial # S640xxA (2009) according to Colt serial # lookup.

 

[Rampant Colt]

So, @LeverActionBill and I had an exchange during a past thread concerning the trigger tags and the 2D Matrix codes found on all new Colts since around 2020 or so.

The trigger tags (silver, green, pink) from the factory ARE true QR codes and display make, model number, serial number, and a date that is in DD/MO/YEAR format.

The 2D Matrix code is geared more for Colt production information…..but with the right scanner you can get the serial number (if that one just to the left of the 2D Matrix doesn’t satisfy you. 😆)

So, @LeverActionBill and I were both correct, and I appreciate his input as I learned something.

The lone exceptions to the 2D Matrix codes are possibly on the 1911’s (hidden under the slide)….and most definitely on the Single Action Army’s where it is hidden under the grip frame on top and can’t be seen unless the grips are removed.

I don’t necessarily like the the 2D Matrix code on the right hand side of all 5 of the reintroduced snake guns. You don’t really notice it on the 1911’s….or at least on mine you don’t, so not an issue for me at least.

Since the Colt Serial Number lookup is notoriously awful for looking up info on new guns, the QR code is/was a stroke of genius in my opinion. Should the tag remain in the original shipping box, 20 to 30 years from now a dealer or buyer will have a wealth of information with a simple scan.

 

[Rampant Colt]

Single Action Army S91415A July 12, 2024

 

[3-Fingered Lefty]

3rd Generation Colt Dates of Manufacturing Updated to 2012

Serial number at the beginning of the year:

1976 80000SA
1977 82000SA
1978 90500SA - 99999SA - SA01001
1979 SA13000
1980 SA30250
1981 SA46900
1982 SA58628
1983 SA65256
1984 SA66496
1985 SA70500
1986 Not Available - Factory Strike
1987 SA70813
1988 SA71464 - SA72269




With Colt, there are always exceptions…
I have a few SAA’s with serial #’s S77770 up to SA77779.
Timeframe = 1985 - 1994.

 

[3-Fingered Lefty]

 

[45NUTT]

Colt SAA 45 5 1/2" barrel BCC, # S91735A manufacture date is 3/9/2024.

 

[sixguns]

So S917XXA was manufactured 3/9/24 and S914XXA (300 numbers lower) was manufactured four months later on July 12, 2024. Would be interesting to see what factory letters say about ship date vs. assembly date, I suppose.

 

[jetman]

I just picked up a NIB P1840 S91561A today after a year long search for a new SAA and found it online.

I haven't lettered a gun with Colt in DECADES. What's the procedure today together this one lettered? I'll post my results when it's back?

 

[daveo5]

You can request the date of manufacture when requesting the date of shipment.

 

[Griff]

I have 3 Colt SAAs, 2 of which started life as 7-½" 45s. The first, SA106xx was an insurance replacement for a 2nd Gen 4-¾" I purchased in 1972, & subsequently stolen in early 1979. Colt.com doesn't list a born-on date for it, but the insurance tried to give me a 7-½" .45 as its replacement. I refused and a couple of months later they presented me with a 4-¾" .45. I never even looked at the box. It wasn't until years later that a friend told me what I had was not a factory 4-¾". In 1994 I was looking for a mate as we'd started habitually using 2 revolvers in SASS and I found SA617xx for sale for $650. It was a 7-½" .45 and a simple matter to shorten it to 4-¾". It also doesn't return a born-on date on Colt.com. Since they're both modified from their factory configuration, I've had work done on both to improve their reliability in a competitive environment, timing, springs and a coil spring and plunger in place of the flat spring on the hand. Both have been rebuilt once after a few hundred thousand rounds.

The 3rd is a 2nd Gen 7-½" .357. I purchased it in 1983 for $380. It listed on Colt.com as a 1974. There's no lettering on the left side of the barrel, just single line address on the top and model and caliber on the right side above the ejector rod housing. I've been told this is a "Presentation" model, normally only used for such purposes. When I got it, there was no bluing on the grip frame & trigger guard, but otherwise the gun was in near flawless condition. For the few years my wife shot SASS with me it was her second gun. It's also been tuned with aftermarket springs and a lightened mainspring of my own making. It has honest wear, and I'm thinking of making it a 4-¾" also to match her other gun, a non-Colt SA. I've only shot it a couple of times, usually on the anniversary of her passing. She remarked once, that she wished it was a 4-¾" also, but never asked for it to be cut. I'm not a "collector", but a shooter... if there's a question in here... should I cut it?

 

[Tall]

Well l i don't know - what do you think is right? I have many more Colts than you but the only answer is whatever you are comfortarble with.

 

[inspcalahan]

I have 3 Colt SAAs, 2 of which started life as 7-½" 45s. The first, SA106xx was an insurance replacement for a 2nd Gen 4-¾" I purchased in 1972, & subsequently stolen in early 1979. Colt.com doesn't list a born-on date for it, but the insurance tried to give me a 7-½" .45 as its replacement. I refused and a couple of months later they presented me with a 4-¾" .45. I never even looked at the box. It wasn't until years later that a friend told me what I had was not a factory 4-¾". In 1994 I was looking for a mate as we'd started habitually using 2 revolvers in SASS and I found SA617xx for sale for $650. It was a 7-½" .45 and a simple matter to shorten it to 4-¾". It also doesn't return a born-on date on Colt.com. Since they're both modified from their factory configuration, I've had work done on both to improve their reliability in a competitive environment, timing, springs and a coil spring and plunger in place of the flat spring on the hand. Both have been rebuilt once after a few hundred thousand rounds.

The 3rd is a 2nd Gen 7-½" .357. I purchased it in 1983 for $380. It listed on Colt.com as a 1974. There's no lettering on the left side of the barrel, just single line address on the top and model and caliber on the right side above the ejector rod housing. I've been told this is a "Presentation" model, normally only used for such purposes. When I got it, there was no bluing on the grip frame & trigger guard, but otherwise the gun was in near flawless condition. For the few years my wife shot SASS with me it was her second gun. It's also been tuned with aftermarket springs and a lightened mainspring of my own making. It has honest wear, and I'm thinking of making it a 4-¾" also to match her other gun, a non-Colt SA. I've only shot it a couple of times, usually on the anniversary of her passing. She remarked once, that she wished it was a 4-¾" also, but never asked for it to be cut. I'm not a "collector", but a shooter... if there's a question in here... should I cut it?

It's entirely up to you. It's not a collectible as it sits, and there are plenty more 7 1/2" guns in .357 floating around, so it's not a collectors item that you're cutting. If it brings a smile to your face when you hold it, why not? Alternatively, go shop around and find a 4 3/4 barrel on eBay or elsewhere for it. You can probably find a barrel for about what it would cost to properly cut and reinstall the old one. Keep the 7 1/2" and if you ever get rid of it, it's the new owners choice on how it sits.

 

[treywhite82]

My new 2024-25 production P1870. Serial S92256A

 

[ColtsDad]

^^^ proper Colt Single Action Army there, T ^^^
Nice Score , that’s a gun to keep &treasure forever.

 

[sturmgewehr]

Adding a September 1997 gun. S19025A. 4-3/4”N 45. Pete