Original Item: Only One Available. This is a highly distinctive First Generation Colt Single Action Army revolver, serial number 178619, dating to the late 1890s and reported by Colt factory records as manufactured in 1898. The original antique Colt frame, trigger guard, and backstrap remain matching, while the revolver was extensively rebuilt at a later date with a 7 1/2" Colt manufactured replacement barrel, replacement cylinder, aged bone grips, and a durable matte silver colored refinish. It is chambered in .45 Colt and comes in a more recent custom green felt lined wooden presentation case.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Colt Single Action Army is one of the most recognizable American firearms ever produced. Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 and manufactured commercially in numerous calibers and barrel lengths, the revolver became closely associated with the American frontier. Ranchers, settlers, lawmen, soldiers, and civilians all used the design, and its combination of simplicity, durability, and balance kept it in production long after more modern double action revolvers had appeared.

Collectors divide Colt Single Action Army production into several generations. First Generation revolvers were manufactured from 1873 until production ceased in 1941. Renewed interest in traditional single action revolvers during the postwar Western boom led Colt to revive the model in the 1950s, creating what collectors call the Second Generation. Production was retooled again during the mid 1970s for the Third Generation. Many parts from later generations will fit or can be fitted to earlier revolvers, which has resulted in numerous First Generation SAAs receiving replacement barrels, cylinders, grips, and other components during their working lives.

The principal antique components of this revolver are numbered:

178619

on the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. These three matching numbers are important because they establish that the principal lower frame components remain together. The serial falls within the late First Generation black powder frame period and is consistent with an antique revolver manufactured before 1899. The supplied Colt factory research reportedly dates serial number 178619 to 1898.

The left side of the frame carries the familiar Colt patent marking:

PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871.
JULY. 2.72. JAN. 19.75

with the Colt Rampant Colt within an oval trademark to the right. The frame is also fitted with the later transverse spring loaded push button style cylinder base pin latch, which had replaced the earlier screw retained arrangement by this period and is appropriate for a late 1890s Single Action Army.

The present 7 1/2" barrel is a later Colt manufactured replacement rather than the barrel originally fitted to the revolver. It is marked on top:

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

and on the left side:

COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45

The typography and caliber/model marking are characteristic of later Colt production rather than an 1898 barrel. We have no documentation establishing when the barrel was installed or whether the work was performed by the Colt factory, so we would describe it as a later Colt replacement barrel rather than a documented factory rebarrel.

The cylinder is also a later replacement. Its front face is numbered:

6622

and it does not use the removable slip fit base pin bushing characteristic of an original First Generation cylinder. Instead, it has the later style integral or press fit bushing arrangement introduced with Third Generation Single Action Army production beginning in the 1970s. The loading gate is separately marked:

602

These different assembly and component numbers make clear that the revolver has undergone substantial parts replacement during its later history.

The entire revolver appears to have been refinished during the same general rebuilding period. It now wears a very durable matte silver colored coating over most of the metal surfaces. We cannot identify the material conclusively from appearance alone. It may be a ceramic, sprayed, or other modern applied finish rather than traditional Colt nickel or silver plating. Portions have subsequently been worn or deliberately distressed, exposing a lighter gray metal color and giving the revolver an aged appearance. Some attempts were made to remove the coating, but it proved exceptionally durable.

The revolver is fitted with attractive two piece bone grips. They have developed a warm aged cream and tan coloration with visible natural grain and variation throughout. There is some minor cracking and age related checking in areas, but the grips remain highly attractive and contribute substantially to the revolver's Western appearance.

Mechanically, the Single Action Army remains in very good operating condition during careful manual inspection. The hammer moves through the traditional four audible positions or “clicks,” the cylinder indexes correctly, lockup is good, and the mainspring remains strong. The action is notably smooth and does not exhibit the excessive looseness or inconsistent indexing often encountered on heavily used antique revolvers. Given the amount of later replacement work, it is quite possible that the internal mechanism was serviced or rebuilt at the same time, although we have no documentation proving when that work occurred.

The cylinder base pin and transverse release operate correctly and the revolver disassembles in the normal manner. The loading gate opens freely, and the ejector rod assembly functions properly. The replacement cylinder chambers are in excellent visual condition with only light grease and residue present.

The bore of the later 7 1/2" barrel is in excellent condition, retaining a bright interior and sharply defined rifling with little visible wear. There is only minor surface oxidation near the muzzle and chamber end, apparently from periods of insufficient oiling.

The revolver is accompanied by a modern custom wooden case measuring approximately 15 1/8" wide by 8 1/4" deep by 2 1/2" high. The interior is lined in green felt and configured to display the revolver. There is handwritten material in pen on the bottom of the case, and the case may originally have served another purpose before being adapted for the Colt. It has no locking mechanism and should be regarded as a later display accessory rather than an original Colt case.

With its matching antique serial number 178619 frame, trigger guard, and backstrap, classic .45 Colt chambering, full length 7 1/2" later Colt barrel, replacement cylinder, aged bone grips, smooth action, excellent bore, and custom display case, this is a visually striking example of a First Generation Single Action Army that continued to be used, rebuilt, and personalized long after leaving Hartford. Its later alterations mean it should not be viewed as an untouched collector grade 1890s Colt, but they give it tremendous display presence and make it particularly suitable for a collection focused on the Single Action Army, American frontier arms, or historically used and subsequently customized Colt revolvers.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1898
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 178619
Caliber: .45 "Long" Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 13 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.