Original Item: Only One Available. This is every School boy's dream! A real Cowboy six gun! The Colt Single Action Army Revolver, often referred to as the SAA or M1873, was the first Colt cartridge revolver to see wide acceptance and use, having been developed to meet the needs of the U.S. Government. Dubbed the "Peacemaker", the design is a famous piece of Americana and the American Wild West era, due to its popularity with ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws alike. While Colt has fielded many other designs since its introduction, none have been able to capture the same type of romance, resulting in the design being reissued several times since originally being discontinued.

This very nice Colt SAA (Single Action Army) Revolver is one that has definitely had an interesting life! Normally, mismatched serial numbers on a Colt pistol are a reason to look away, however the U.S. stamped on the left side of the frame indicates that this is in fact an "Artillery Model", officially known as an "Altered Model" by the U.S. War department. In 1895–1896, the U.S. federal government returned 2000 SAA revolvers to Colt to be refurbished; 800 were issued to the New York Militia with the 7 1⁄2-inch barrel and 1,200 were altered to a barrel length of 5 1⁄2 inches. In 1898, 14,900 of the SAA revolvers were altered the same way by Springfield Armory, with 5 1⁄2 inch barrels.

This was all done because it was felt that the standard issue .38 caliber Colt M 1892 double-action revolver lacked in stopping power. The "Altered" Artillery Model Colt SAA in .45LC was the answer, and had PLENTY of power. The first units to receive these were the Light Artillery, which is probably how the model got its name. They were also received by Infantry, Volunteer Cavalry, and other troops, and would be used in the upcoming conflicts. The .45 Artillery SAA Revolvers were used successfully by front troops in the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War. Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill wielding the .45 caliber Artillery Model.

The revolver is marked with serial number 47679 on the frame, which dates production to 1878, right when early production was in full swing. The cylinder is serial number marked 2341, indicating it is early production (after 1883 cylinders were not marked), and the barrel is faintly marked with serial number 8875. The trigger guard is marked with 7399 and the grip frame and grip with 9759, so they really dipped into the parts bin for this one. There is also assembly number 6930 marked on the loading gate. It is in full working order and condition, still retaining much of the factory blued finish with some great marked walnut grips, sure to delight any Americana collector with an interest in the Spanish-American War.

The revolver came to us with copies of complete detailed research on the revolver performed by John A. Kopec and dated Feb. 13, 2018. Kopec, who passed away at the age of 97 in 2025, was an expert on the Colt Single Action Army revolvers, and also the author of the seminal work A Study of the Colt Single Action Revolver, along with co-authors Ron Graham and C. Kenneth Moore. The research documents go through the entire history of every piece of this particular revolver, complete with information on all of the various cartouches and proofs. The condition at the time the revolver was examined is also detailed, and there is even a data sheet with all of the markings summarized. A truly great addition to any "Artillery Model" due to how components were sourced from multiple different revolvers.

The revolver also came to us with a copy, on color correct paper, of a Colt Factory letter from the office of the Colt Historian Kathleen J. Hoyt. It is dated March 29, 2004, and indicates it is a COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER, with the caliber listed as .45/c and finish listed as Blue. The barrel length and type stocks are Not Listed, which indicates the standard 7 ½" barrel and walnut stocks during this time period. The gun was sold to the United States Government, shipped on September 13, 1878 with 200 other guns, with the recipient listed as the U.S. Government Inspector located at the Colt plant.

The letter further indicates that the serial number is listed as having been returned to the factory for refurbishing, where it was refinished and had any worn parts replaced. It was then reshipped to the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Mass on December 21, 1901. This is also examined in the documentation from Kopec, and shows that this revolver really led a very interesting and long service life, which can be followed quite closely with the included research materials.

The revolver is in full working Order and Condition, showing much of the factory reblued finish on the barrel and grips, while the frame has a lovely faded case colored finish. The original single line Colt address marking on the top of the barrel is still fully present and legible:

COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.

The left side of the frame has the Colt patent dates still mostly legible:

These are the second pattern markings, and this revolver was made before the "Prancing Pony" logo began appearing on the frame. Next to them is a large U.S. surcharge, indicating U.S. Army acceptance. The initials HN are stamped on the bottom of the frame above the serial number, for ordnance sub-inspector Henry Nettleton, who inspected Single Action Army revolvers during 1878. There are also numerous single letter proofs stamped on the various components, as fully detailed in the Kopec documentation.

There is no caliber marking on the trigger guard, however we have checked the cylinder and barrel with real cartridges to confirm. This revolver is definitely chambered for .45 Colt, also known as .45 "LONG" Colt, one of the most legendary handgun cartridges of the old west. When you hear people talk of a "Colt 45", this model gun is the reason why.

The revolver really looks great, looking to have only seen light to moderate service after it was refurbished at the Colt factory. We almost never see single action army revolvers in such great shape. The grip is also great, showing the lovely dark red brown color of aged and oiled walnut. The grip cartouches, mentioned previously, are a bit worn, but still legible, and really add to the history and look of the piece.

Mechanically, the action is smooth, with a good cylinder lock up, and strong mainspring. The action has all four clicks, and cycles correctly, without any of the finicky behavior we often see on revolvers of this age. It really sings, and we have rarely seen a tighter action than on this example! As with all revolvers of this age we recommend being gentle with cycling it, so we do not recommend "fanning" or "fan firing". The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear and past fouling from keeping it being "MINT". The ejector door swings open easily, and the ejector itself works great. Overall this is a great pistol, with a fantastic look!

Pistols such as this are extremely difficult to find today at any reasonable price. A classic Artillery model Colt single action army, made in 1878 for the U.S. Military, and then recalled to arsenal, reworked, and reissued for further service. It's in lovely condition, and with the included Colt factory letter copy and copies of research by expert John A. Kopec, it is sure to be a fantastic addition to any collection. Ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1878 - Arsenal reworked in 1898
Caliber: .45 "Long" Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 5 ½ inches
Overall Length: 11 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

History of the Colt Single Single Action Army

Bound by the Rollin White patent (#12,648, April 3, 1855) and not wanting to pay a royalty fee to Smith & Wesson, Colt could not begin development of bored-through revolver cylinders for metallic cartridge use until April 4, 1869. For the design, Colt turned to two of its best engineers: William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards who had developed a number of revolvers and black powder conversions for the company. Their effort was designed for the United States government service revolver trials of 1872 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and adopted as the standard military service revolver. Production began in 1873 with the Single Action Army model 1873, also referred to as the "New Model Army Metallic Cartridge Revolving Pistol".

The very first production Single Action Army, serial number 1, thought lost for many years after its production, was found in a barn in Nashua, New Hampshire in the early 1900s. It was chambered in .45 Colt, a centerfire design containing charges of up to 40 grains (2.6 g) of fine-grained black powder and a 255-grain (16.5 g) blunt roundnosed bullet. Relative to period cartridges and most later handgun rounds, it was quite powerful in its full loading.

The Colt Single Action Army revolver, along with the 1870 and 1875 Smith & Wesson Model 3 "Schofield" revolver, replaced the Colt 1860 Army Percussion revolver. The Colt quickly gained favor over the S&W and remained the primary US military sidearm until 1892 when it was replaced by the .38 Long Colt caliber Colt Model 1892, a double-action revolver with swing-out cylinder. By the end of 1874, serial no. 16,000 was reached; 12,500 Colt Single Action Army revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge had entered service and the remaining revolvers were sold in the civilian market.

The Colt .45 is a famous piece of American history, known as "The Gun That Won the West". The Single Action army is a very popular firearm, even today, and it continues to be produced in various configurations.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

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