Colt SAA New Frontier Serial Number

rewdoc · June 12, 2012, 06:52 PM

Today I recieved a Colt SAA New Frontier 45 Colt which I purchaed from GunBroker.com. It is advertised as a second generation SAA produced in 1972. It is in new condition, in the box and has never been fired. Serial number is 01081 NF. I have been trying to verify that this is the year of production and that it is a second generation SAA. Can anyone help me?

Also, it did not come with the owner's manual. I looked at the Colt online site but did not see that they offer manuals. Where can I get one?

Thanks,

markggtp · June 13, 2012, 08:31 AM

All second gen guns have 4 digit ser#'s.Third gen guns have 5,the 0 is the fifth digit. I'd say that your gun was made in 77 or 78

MWark · June 13, 2012, 08:45 AM

That's a 3rd generation. Common error because of the “NF” suffix, it’s clearly noted in the Blue Book of gun values.

"BBGV"

REINTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER
1978 01001NF 04424NF
1979 04425NF 06274NF
1980 06275NF 11374NF
1981 11375NF 16584NF
1982 16584NF DISC. 1982

MWark · June 13, 2012, 08:56 AM

Hopefully the seller didn’t deliberately misrepresent the gun. You’ll know for sure by the way he responds to the question “what’re you going to do about it”. Good luck!

newfrontier45 · June 13, 2012, 09:10 AM

I sincerely hope you did not pay 2nd generation prices! This is why it's critical to get info like this before the first bid. Don't depend on the seller's description to be factual.

rewdoc · June 13, 2012, 08:05 PM

Thanks everyone. It is an early third generation SAA NF. Made in 1978. The seller initially listed it as a second generation SAA NF but then added an addendum 3 days before the end of the auction, which I missed, stating that several people had emailed him stating is was a third generation gun. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that. Also, he stated in the description that it was produced in 1978. I didn't know before this that the last second generation SAA's were made in 1974. So I've learned a very good lesson. Ask for the serial number before bidding, read everything very carefully, then research the facts. I'm not sure he listed it as a second generation SAA on purpose. The gun is in new condition, never fired. I paid $1,105.00 for it, so hopefully I didn't get burned too badly.

MWark · June 13, 2012, 08:13 PM

I'm no expert but I think you were lucky and got a good price. Lucky for you the guys competing with you knew what it was. LOL

savit260 · June 13, 2012, 11:46 PM

That seems like a more than fair price for a never fired 3rd Generation NF to me.

I'd be quite happy with that purchase.

rep1954 · June 15, 2012, 07:19 PM

If yours fits and shoots as nice as my 45 Colt New Frontier I would have paid that much. I think the New Frontiers are one of the best buys around. I also have purchased a 45ACP cylinder for mine.

Walter · June 15, 2012, 09:28 PM

For future reference, here's a pretty handy little website.

http://www.proofhouse.com/index.htm

Walter

**Aguila Blanca** · June 15, 2012, 10:31 PM

Just to get us all on the same page, if I understand Colt history correctly the New Frontier had an adjustable rear sight and was sold and referred to as the 'New Frontier." The Single Action Army (or Model 1873) had no rear sight. It is an inaccurate conflation to describe any pistol as a "SAA New Frontier." It's either a SAA OR a New Frontier; it can't be both.

rep1954 · June 16, 2012, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Just to get us all on the same page, if I understand Colt history correctly the New Frontier had an adjustable rear sight and was sold and referred to as the 'New Frontier." The Single Action Army (or Model 1873) had no rear sight. It is an inaccurate conflation to describe any pistol as a "SAA New Frontier." It's either a SAA OR a New Frontier; it can't be both.

You are correct only a Colt SAA is a SAA and clones of it are only SA's

WIL TERRY · June 18, 2012, 10:22 AM

HOLD THE PHONE HERE GUYS !!! ALL of my COLT NEW FRONTIER SIXGUNS are marked .... NEW FRONTIER S A A 45, or whatever the caliber is of that particular pistol.
I have them in every caliber and every barrel length [ all shootin' guns including the 38SPL, the second rarest of ALL COLT guns..] except one, and they are ALL marked in that fashion.
They are a COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY also.....model NEW FRONTIER.
And so it goes....

newfrontier45 · July 15, 2012, 02:53 PM

I think my New Frontier is defective too, it also is stamped "Colt New Frontier S.A.A. .45".

Eghad · July 15, 2012, 05:14 PM

New Frontier Single Action Army is the correct name.

RickB · July 18, 2012, 04:52 PM

How does $1,105 compare to the price of a new one? I've read some glowing reports on current production, such as the finish being nicer than ever, etc.

newfrontier45 · July 18, 2012, 05:31 PM

It's a good price for an older 3rd generation gun that is in NIB condition. The new production guns are gonna be $1350-$1450 street price. They will be much nicer guns as Colt has made great improvements in their SAA product. No longer are they overpolished with dished-out screw holes, rolled-over edges and mushy-looking lettering. They're very good guns and Turnbull is doing the case colors. They cost a bit more but they're better guns and the shorter barrel lengths that are so scarce in the earlier guns should be more readily available.

highpower3006 · July 18, 2012, 08:09 PM

Everyone says that the early 3rd gen Colt single actions are crap, yet I have a 1984 production the exhibits none of the faults listed above. While it may be hit or miss as to whether you find a good one, I do not think that all of them are junk.

When I bought mine I compared it to a 1965 production SAA that was for sale also. Both were NIB, outside of the minor differences that will exist on nearly any firearms that are produced twenty years apart, they were identical in fit and finish. In deference to the the fact that they were unturned, I didn't test the triggers. I wound up buying the 3rd generation gun largely because it was half the price, and it had the blackpowder frame.

It shoots just fine and there have been no issues with it.

bigbub06 · July 20, 2012, 03:47 PM

I picked up a Colt New Frontier .22 lr today and want to know a little more about it. What it exactly is and how much its worth? Any Does snybody have some original grips?

newfrontier45 · July 20, 2012, 04:16 PM

I ordered some new "hard rubbers" for a friend's Frontier Scout from Numrich a few years ago.

highpower3006 · July 21, 2012, 08:04 AM

Boy those stocks are hideous!

bigbub06 · July 21, 2012, 01:10 PM

Yeah tell me about it.. They will be changed very soon. Thanks for the replies. When I get some grips what do y'all think it will be worth.

Stormie · September 30, 2018, 08:17 PM

I have a Colt New Frontier SAA in 45 Colt with a four digit serial number 7450NF. There is no zero in front of the seven. According to various info gathered from multiple forums, the four digit serial number means it's a 2nd gen. The Colt serial number lookup site says it's a 2007 model and it is the only place I can find this serial number even listed. Also it is all blue. any help identifying the actual gen or year would be greatly appreciated. Delivery is still about 6 days away.

Stormie · September 30, 2018, 08:27 PM

I have a Colt New Frontier SAA in 45 caliber. It has the four digit serial number 7450NF. According to multiple forums I have searched, the 4-Digit means it is a 2nd generation, however the Colt factory look up site, which is the only place I can find this particular serial number listed, says it is a 2007 model. The revolver is all blue, never been fired new in plastic case with all paperwork and the cylinder is tied with no dragline. Any help to identify the actual year or generation would be greatly appreciated. I know this is an old thread but I am new to Colt SAA revolvers. Thank you.

Driftwood Johnson · October 2, 2018, 10:30 AM

Howdy

Yup, mine thinks it's a Single Action Army too. 2nd Gen, made in 1965. Paid $900 for it last year. I thought I did pretty good.

June 12, 2012, 06:52 PM	#1
rewdoc Junior Member Join Date: June 12, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 3	Colt SAA New Frontier Serial Number Today I recieved a Colt SAA New Frontier 45 Colt which I purchaed from GunBroker.com. It is advertised as a second generation SAA produced in 1972. It is in new condition, in the box and has never been fired. Serial number is 01081 NF. I have been trying to verify that this is the year of production and that it is a second generation SAA. Can anyone help me? Also, it did not come with the owner's manual. I looked at the Colt online site but did not see that they offer manuals. Where can I get one? Thanks, __________________ Dick

June 13, 2012, 08:31 AM	#2
markggtp Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2012 Location: new hampshire Posts: 13	NF ser# All second gen guns have 4 digit ser#'s.Third gen guns have 5,the 0 is the fifth digit. I'd say that your gun was made in 77 or 78

June 13, 2012, 08:45 AM	#3
MWark Member Join Date: July 28, 2009 Location: New England Posts: 42	That's a 3rd generation. Common error because of the “NF” suffix, it’s clearly noted in the Blue Book of gun values. "BBGV" REINTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER 1978 01001NF 04424NF 1979 04425NF 06274NF 1980 06275NF 11374NF 1981 11375NF 16584NF 1982 16584NF DISC. 1982 __________________ "It's amazing what people will believe on the internet so long as it confirms their preconceived notions." -Thomas Jefferson- Last edited by MWark; June 13, 2012 at 08:51 AM.

June 13, 2012, 08:56 AM	#4
MWark Member Join Date: July 28, 2009 Location: New England Posts: 42	Hopefully the seller didn’t deliberately misrepresent the gun. You’ll know for sure by the way he responds to the question “what’re you going to do about it”. Good luck! __________________ "It's amazing what people will believe on the internet so long as it confirms their preconceived notions." -Thomas Jefferson-

June 13, 2012, 08:05 PM	#6
rewdoc Junior Member Join Date: June 12, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 3	Thanks everyone. It is an early third generation SAA NF. Made in 1978. The seller initially listed it as a second generation SAA NF but then added an addendum 3 days before the end of the auction, which I missed, stating that several people had emailed him stating is was a third generation gun. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that. Also, he stated in the description that it was produced in 1978. I didn't know before this that the last second generation SAA's were made in 1974. So I've learned a very good lesson. Ask for the serial number before bidding, read everything very carefully, then research the facts. I'm not sure he listed it as a second generation SAA on purpose. The gun is in new condition, never fired. I paid $1,105.00 for it, so hopefully I didn't get burned too badly. __________________ Dick Last edited by rewdoc; June 13, 2012 at 08:12 PM. Reason: additional information

June 13, 2012, 09:10 AM	#5
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	I sincerely hope you did not pay 2nd generation prices! This is why it's critical to get info like this before the first bid. Don't depend on the seller's description to be factual.

June 13, 2012, 08:13 PM	#7
MWark Member Join Date: July 28, 2009 Location: New England Posts: 42	I'm no expert but I think you were lucky and got a good price. Lucky for you the guys competing with you knew what it was. LOL __________________ "It's amazing what people will believe on the internet so long as it confirms their preconceived notions." -Thomas Jefferson- Last edited by MWark; June 13, 2012 at 11:54 PM.

June 13, 2012, 11:46 PM	#8
savit260 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2006 Posts: 702	That seems like a more than fair price for a never fired 3rd Generation NF to me. I'd be quite happy with that purchase.

June 15, 2012, 07:19 PM	#9
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 1,187	If yours fits and shoots as nice as my 45 Colt New Frontier I would have paid that much. I think the New Frontiers are one of the best buys around. I also have purchased a 45ACP cylinder for mine.

June 15, 2012, 09:28 PM	#10
Walter Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: North Texas Posts: 641	For future reference, here's a pretty handy little website. http://www.proofhouse.com/index.htm Walter

June 15, 2012, 10:31 PM	#11
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,460	Just to get us all on the same page, if I understand Colt history correctly the New Frontier had an adjustable rear sight and was sold and referred to as the 'New Frontier." The Single Action Army (or Model 1873) had no rear sight. It is an inaccurate conflation to describe any pistol as a "SAA New Frontier." It's either a SAA OR a New Frontier; it can't be both.

June 18, 2012, 10:22 AM	#13
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	HOLD THE PHONE HERE GUYS !!! ALL of my COLT NEW FRONTIER SIXGUNS are marked .... NEW FRONTIER S A A 45, or whatever the caliber is of that particular pistol. I have them in every caliber and every barrel length [ all shootin' guns including the 38SPL, the second rarest of ALL COLT guns..] except one, and they are ALL marked in that fashion. They are a COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY also.....model NEW FRONTIER. And so it goes....

July 15, 2012, 02:53 PM	#14
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	I think my New Frontier is defective too, it also is stamped "Colt New Frontier S.A.A. .45".

July 15, 2012, 05:14 PM	#15
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	New Frontier Single Action Army is the correct name. __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

July 18, 2012, 04:52 PM	#16
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	How does $1,105 compare to the price of a new one? I've read some glowing reports on current production, such as the finish being nicer than ever, etc.

July 18, 2012, 05:31 PM	#17
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	It's a good price for an older 3rd generation gun that is in NIB condition. The new production guns are gonna be $1350-$1450 street price. They will be much nicer guns as Colt has made great improvements in their SAA product. No longer are they overpolished with dished-out screw holes, rolled-over edges and mushy-looking lettering. They're very good guns and Turnbull is doing the case colors. They cost a bit more but they're better guns and the shorter barrel lengths that are so scarce in the earlier guns should be more readily available.

July 18, 2012, 08:09 PM	#18
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	Everyone says that the early 3rd gen Colt single actions are crap, yet I have a 1984 production the exhibits none of the faults listed above. While it may be hit or miss as to whether you find a good one, I do not think that all of them are junk. When I bought mine I compared it to a 1965 production SAA that was for sale also. Both were NIB, outside of the minor differences that will exist on nearly any firearms that are produced twenty years apart, they were identical in fit and finish. In deference to the the fact that they were unturned, I didn't test the triggers. I wound up buying the 3rd generation gun largely because it was half the price, and it had the blackpowder frame. It shoots just fine and there have been no issues with it.

July 20, 2012, 03:47 PM	#19
bigbub06 Junior Member Join Date: July 20, 2012 Posts: 2	CAn Anyone tell me what I have here I picked up a Colt New Frontier .22 lr today and want to know a little more about it. What it exactly is and how much its worth? Any Does snybody have some original grips?

July 20, 2012, 04:16 PM	#20
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	I ordered some new "hard rubbers" for a friend's Frontier Scout from Numrich a few years ago.

July 21, 2012, 08:04 AM	#21
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	Boy those stocks are hideous!

July 21, 2012, 01:10 PM	#22
bigbub06 Junior Member Join Date: July 20, 2012 Posts: 2	Yeah tell me about it.. They will be changed very soon. Thanks for the replies. When I get some grips what do y'all think it will be worth.

September 30, 2018, 08:17 PM	#23
Stormie Junior Member Join Date: January 8, 2018 Posts: 4	I have a Colt New Frontier SAA in 45 Colt with a four digit serial number 7450NF. There is no zero in front of the seven. According to various info gathered from multiple forums, the four digit serial number means it's a 2nd gen. The Colt serial number lookup site says it's a 2007 model and it is the only place I can find this serial number even listed. Also it is all blue. any help identifying the actual gen or year would be greatly appreciated. Delivery is still about 6 days away.

September 30, 2018, 08:27 PM	#24
Stormie Junior Member Join Date: January 8, 2018 Posts: 4	Colt New Frontier SAA 45 caliber I have a Colt New Frontier SAA in 45 caliber. It has the four digit serial number 7450NF. According to multiple forums I have searched, the 4-Digit means it is a 2nd generation, however the Colt factory look up site, which is the only place I can find this particular serial number listed, says it is a 2007 model. The revolver is all blue, never been fired new in plastic case with all paperwork and the cylinder is tied with no dragline. Any help to identify the actual year or generation would be greatly appreciated. I know this is an old thread but I am new to Colt SAA revolvers. Thank you. Last edited by Stormie; September 30, 2018 at 08:33 PM.

October 2, 2018, 10:30 AM	#25
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy Yup, mine thinks it's a Single Action Army too. 2nd Gen, made in 1965. Paid $900 for it last year. I thought I did pretty good.