Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful original First Generation Colt Single Action Army revolver chambered in .32-20 W.C.F., manufactured in 1895 and retaining its full length 7 1/2 inch barrel, original style hard rubber grips, and matching numbered frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. Even better, the revolver is accompanied by an original Colt factory letter confirming its original caliber, barrel length, blue finish, and October 1895 shipment to Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri.

The Colt Single Action Army, often abbreviated SAA and popularly known as the “Peacemaker,” is one of the most recognizable American firearms ever produced. Introduced in 1873 for U.S. military service, it also became enormously popular on the civilian market and remains inseparably associated with ranchers, lawmen, outdoorsmen, and the American West.

This revolver bears serial number:

162499

placing manufacture in 1895.

The serial number is correctly present on the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap, with all three matching:

162499

The barrel and cylinder are not serial numbered, which is correct for a Colt Single Action Army of this period. The loading gate is additionally marked with assembly number:

274

The revolver is accompanied by an original Colt factory letter dated March 30, 2026, from the office of Colt Historian Beverly Jean Haynes, bearing her signature and the Colt raised seal.

The factory letter identifies the revolver as a:

COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER

and records the original configuration as:

Caliber: .32/20
Barrel Length: 7 1/2"
Finish: Blue
Stocks: Not Listed

The letter further records shipment on:

October 5, 1895

to:

Simmons Hardware Co.
St. Louis, Missouri

The shipment consisted of one revolver.

The fact that only one gun is recorded in this particular shipment is certainly interesting and makes the factory documentation especially appealing. However, a one gun shipment alone does not necessarily establish that the revolver was a formal factory “special order.”

The revolver retains the standard hard rubber grips expected on a commercial Colt of this period. Since the factory letter lists the stocks as “Not Listed,” the present hard rubber grips are entirely consistent with the standard factory configuration, though the letter itself does not document these specific grips.

The top of the full length barrel retains the original single line Colt address:

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

The left side of the frame is marked with the Colt patent dates:

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

To the right is the Colt Prancing Pony within a circle trademark, introduced during this general production period. The marking is faint but still visible.

The left side of the barrel is marked:

32 W.C.F.

for the .32-20 Winchester Center Fire cartridge.

The .32-20 was originally developed as a rifle cartridge and became particularly popular when revolver manufacturers chambered handguns for the same ammunition. The ability to carry a rifle and revolver using one cartridge was an attractive feature for ranchers, hunters, and other users in areas where ammunition availability could be limited.

The revolver shows the honest wear expected from decades of use. The factory blue finish has largely worn away from the frame and other exposed surfaces, leaving an attractive gray patina. There is general handling and service wear throughout, but no indication in the supplied description of severe pitting or major metal loss.

The markings remain relatively clear, which is a positive sign, as aggressive polishing during a past refinish can noticeably soften factory lettering and edges. We see no obvious indication from the present appearance that the revolver has been heavily refinished.

The original style hard rubber grips remain very attractive, retaining their molded checkering and Colt Prancing Pony emblems. They show honest handling wear, along with some minor chipping around the lower edges. Portions have begun developing the brown coloration often seen as old hard rubber ages.

Mechanically, the revolver is reported to be in very good working order. The action cycles correctly and produces the expected four clicks, including a functional loading position. Cylinder lockup is solid, with only a small amount of play consistent with age and use.

The bore is in good condition overall, remaining partly bright with clearly visible lands and grooves. The rifling shows wear, together with evidence of older oxidation or fouling that has since been cleaned. The ejector housing and rod remain functional, and the loading gate opens normally.

As with any antique firearm of this age, mechanical observations should not be interpreted as a guarantee that it is safe to fire. Inspection by a qualified gunsmith would be appropriate before any consideration of live firing.

Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis was one of the major American hardware distributors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and handled an enormous assortment of firearms, tools, knives, and sporting goods. A Colt shipped individually to Simmons in 1895 provides excellent period context for the commercial distribution of Single Action Army revolvers during the final years of the American frontier era.

History of the Colt Single Action Army

Development of Colt metallic cartridge revolvers had been constrained by the Rollin White patent covering bored through cylinders. Once that patent expired, Colt engineers William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards were able to develop a new purpose built cartridge revolver for the U.S. military trials of the early 1870s.

The resulting Single Action Army was adopted in 1873 and initially chambered in .45 Colt. It replaced percussion revolvers such as the Colt Model 1860 Army and became the principal U.S. military handgun until the adoption of the double action Colt Model 1892.

Civilian sales soon became equally important. Colt offered the Single Action Army in numerous barrel lengths, finishes, and calibers, allowing the revolver to serve military personnel, lawmen, ranchers, hunters, target shooters, and ordinary civilians across the United States.

Its association with the American West became so strong that the Single Action Army eventually earned the enduring nickname “The Gun That Won the West.” Although simplified by popular culture, that reputation reflects the extraordinary longevity and widespread use of the design.

This 1895 example is particularly appealing because it combines the desirable 7 1/2 inch barrel, .32-20 chambering, matching numbered major components, attractive untouched appearance, and an original Colt factory letter documenting shipment to Simmons Hardware Company in St. Louis. It is a very honest First Generation Single Action Army with the type of natural wear and patina that only more than a century of history can produce.

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1895
Serial Number: 162499
Caliber: .32-20 W.C.F.
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 13 inches
Action: Single Action Revolver
Capacity: 6 Rounds
Factory Finish: Blue
Factory Letter Ship Date: October 5, 1895
Factory Letter Destination: Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, Missouri

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.