Colt Single Action Army Third Generation .45 Colt, 5.5 in Nickel, 1997 (P1856)
This Third Generation Colt Single Action Army is a factory .45 Colt with a 5.5 inch barrel and nickel finish, manufactured in 1997. Factory model code P1856 confirms the configuration, and the revolver features the late Third-Generation S-prefix/A-suffix serial format. It brings together classic Colt lines, a six-shot fluted cylinder, and traditional fixed sights in a steel, nickel-finished package.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Details: The revolver shows various cosmetic imperfections including scratches, small blemishes, and areas of finish loss. The bore is clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- Colt factory blue plastic hard case with end label 'MODEL - P1856' and matching S-prefix/A-suffix serial
Factory model code P1856 denotes .45 Colt with a 5.5 inch barrel and nickel finish, matching this revolver exactly. This configuration is a signature Third Generation setup that balances classic handling with a bright, corrosion-resistant finish.
The revolver is built on a steel frame with a nickel-finished, six-shot fluted cylinder. It uses traditional fixed sights, with an integral blade front and a topstrap groove/notch rear, preserving the original sight picture associated with Colt's Single Action Army design.
Key late-production features include the spring-loaded crosspin base-pin latch ('smokeless' frame) and barrel rollmarks with the Colt address and patent dates. These details align with late Third-Generation production practices and markings.
It wears black checkered hard rubber 'eagle' grips with a molded Rampant Colt oval at the top and the eagle/shield motif at the bottom, with no inlaid metal medallions, complementing the nickel finish. Manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Co. in Hartford, Connecticut, this 1997 example reflects the established S-prefix/A-suffix serial format used in late Third-Generation production.