Colt Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter P2950FSS SAA .44-40 Revolver & Box
SOLD FOR: $2,800
WOA#: WY240309GC010
Make: Colt
Model: Frontier Six Shooter (Single Action Army), Model P2950FSS
Serial Number: S48067A
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Caliber: .44-40 WCF (Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel has a “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” etched panel. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “44” over the head of the cylinder pin. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871. / ” JULY. 2, -72. / ” JAN. 19, -75.”. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “S48067A”. The front and back strap are both marked “S48067A” on the left side. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “5”. The front of the cylinder is marked “067”, the rear is marked “44-40”. The inside of each grip panel has “067” hand-scribed and the rear of the loading gate is marked “067”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
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 and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber panels, each with the Rampant Colt at the top and an American eagle at the bottom. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writers opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance is in some scattered small voids in the frame’s otherwise vibrant case color. Given the overall condition, this may be from the factory. Otherwise, there is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The cylinder locks up with barely perceptible play on each chamber. The cylinder’s bushing is removable. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a blue cardboard two-piece Colt box with a white cardboard sleeve, serial-matching label, cable lock, and an assortment of factory paperwork including manual.
Our Assessment: In 1974, Colt quietly discontinued production of the single Action Army; this would be the second time they discontinued production of this glorious revolver. Luckily, the loyal fans of the SAA would not need to wait long as colt would bring back the SAA in 1976 as the “3rd Generation”. Changes were made but the basic SAA was the same, i.e. three standard barrel lengths of 4 ¾”, 5 ½” and 7 ½”, finishes of full nickel or blue, with color case hardened frame, and grips of hard rubber.
Some changes were incorporated in an effort by Colt to keep prices down. One new change was a pressed-in cylinder pin bushing instead of the removable ones used in 1st and 2nd Generation cylinders. Also, the ratchet at the rear of the cylinders was re-shaped, which also necessitated a different shape on the rotating hand. And for some unknown reason, the pitch of the barrel’s threads was changed from the 20 threads per inch (TPI) as used on 1st and 2nd Generation SAAs to 24 TPI for these new ones. Toward the end of 2nd Generation production Colt had begun using some investment cast parts, but the frames continued to be forged. The introductory caliber for 3rd Generation SAAs was .45 Colt, but other chamberings would soon follow, including .44-40 WCF. Interestingly, for the .44-40 chambering, Colt re-designated the revolver the “Frontier Six-Shooter”.
Everyone should have a Colt Single Action Army, and this would be a beauty to add to any collection. Manufactured in 2008, this revolver is in Excellent condition, appearing to have seen more time in its included factory box than out. It has a host of desirable features from its chambering to the removable cylinder bushing, “bullseye” ejector tab and “black powder” frame. Perhaps most impressive is the etched panel on the barrel, a quite scarce feature outside of the original First Generation Frontier Six Shooter revolvers. The pistol’s high condition and the scarcity of its features in the 3rd generation guns make it suitable for addition to a collection, but is also something that would make an interesting “BBQ Gun” or could even be used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
