Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Colt Single Action Army .45 Colt revolver in later Artillery Model configuration, assembled around a John T. Cleveland inspected and U.S. marked frame manufactured in 1876, Serial No. 32431. It has the characteristic 5 1/2" R.A.C. inspected barrel, an 1876-production trigger guard numbered 31490, an exceptionally early 1874-production grip frame numbered 1743, early patent markings, and the mixed government-inspected components associated with the rebuilding of earlier full-length military revolvers for renewed service. Its gray patina, traces of protected blue, worn barrel address, extensively handled grip, and service-related mechanical wear give it the honest appearance of a U.S. martial revolver that received a prolonged second working life.

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.

Few firearms are as closely associated with the American West as the Colt Single Action Army. Its distinctive profile, short barrel, exposed hammer, and one-piece grip became the familiar sidearm of ranchers, lawmen, soldiers, and armed travelers during the closing decades of the frontier era. That image later became inseparable from Western films and television, but surviving period revolvers such as this example show the practical, hard-used character behind the legend.

Introduced in 1873 and commonly known as the SAA or “Peacemaker,” the Colt Single Action Army was developed for the U.S. military and quickly found a much wider civilian market. Its durable design, powerful chamberings, and simple operation made it one of the defining American handguns of the late 19th century, and Colt would return the model to production more than once after its original discontinuation.

This SAA 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 crisp U.S. stamped on the left side of the frame indicates that this revolver was originally delivered to the U.S. Army as a "Cavalry Model". The 5 1⁄2" barrel and mismatched serials however indicate 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, all 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 ample stopping 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 frame is marked:

32431

This serial number dates the frame to 1876, the fourth year of regular Colt Single Action Army production.

The trigger guard is marked:

31490

This number also dates to 1876 and is close in production period to the frame, though it is not matching.

The grip frame is marked:

1743

This is an exceptionally early U.S. military production number dating to 1874. The supplied research identifies it with the early delivery group commonly referred to by collectors as Lot 2, covering approximately Serial Nos. 1223 through 2336.

The cylinder is numbered:

6151

The loading gate bears the assembly number:

742

The mixed serial and assembly numbers are consistent with the exchange of inspected parts during the government alteration and refurbishment process. They should not be interpreted as indicating that the revolver left Colt in its present configuration.

The frame is marked above the serial number:

J.T.C.

These initials identify U.S. Ordnance sub-inspector John T. Cleveland, who inspected Colt Single Action Army revolvers during a comparatively brief period beginning in 1876. The Cleveland marking is a desirable feature for collectors of early U.S. martial Colts.

The underside of the barrel carries a faint:

R.A.C.

This marking is attributed to Rinaldo A. Carr, a civilian U.S. Ordnance sub-inspector associated with the inspection of Colt arms during the later 19th century. Its presence on the shortened barrel is consistent with a later government-inspected replacement or alteration component.

No inspector marking is visible on the grip or backstrap. The supplied research notes that Orville W. Ainsworth inspected early U.S. Colt revolvers through approximately Serial No. 14343 before retiring in 1874.

The left side of the frame retains a large and clearly struck:

U.S.

This surcharge indicates that the frame was accepted for U.S. government service.

The earliest style two-line patent marking remains fully legible:

PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871
PAT. JULY. 2. 1872

The top of the barrel retains portions of the original single-line Colt address:

COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFO[RD. CT. U.S.A.]

The portion nearest the frame is heavily worn and partly illegible.

No caliber designation is present on the trigger guard. The barrel and cylinder configuration have been physically checked by the consignor and are identified as chambered for .45 Colt, a cartridge also commonly called .45 Long Colt by collectors and shooters.

The revolver retains an overall gray metal patina with only small traces of original blued finish remaining in protected recesses near the barrel, ejector housing, and recoil shield.

Scattered areas of old oxidation peppering and light pitting are present. The revolver does not show obvious evidence of having been commercially refinished or touched up following its alteration into Artillery Model configuration.

The one-piece walnut grip has developed an attractive aged color and shows extensive wear from handling and carry. The wood has worn below the edges of the metal grip frame around portions of the perimeter.

Wood is missing from both the front and rear toes. The front right toe has a particularly substantial loss. No cracks or repairs are visible.

The single action mechanism produces all four traditional hammer clicks and the cylinder indexes as the hammer is drawn back. Mechanical wear is present, however, and the cylinder lockup is relatively weak.

The cylinder can be moved by hand even when the hammer is fully cocked. Cocking the hammer quickly also causes the cylinder to rotate beyond the proper indexed position almost every time.

The revolver should therefore be cycled slowly and handled gently. Fanning or rapid cocking should not be attempted, and the action requires evaluation by a qualified gunsmith before any consideration of firing.

The cylinder base pin screw removes easily, allowing the base pin to be withdrawn. The removable base pin bushing is also present and can be removed, though it is somewhat difficult to extract.

The loading gate opens easily, and the ejector mechanism functions correctly.

The bore remains in very good condition for its age and extensive service history. It is mostly bright with clearly visible lands and grooves.

There is wear together with evidence of earlier black powder fouling and oxidation that has been partially cleaned away. No areas of significant bore pitting or other major internal damage were observed.

With its early U.S. marked frame, desirable J.T.C. and R.A.C. inspection stamps, 1874 trigger guard, 5 1/2" Artillery Model barrel, visible early patent dates, strong bore, and mixed government-inspected components, this is an appealing example for an advanced U.S. martial Colt collection. The worn address, mixed numbers, grip losses, oxidation, peppering, light pitting, weak lockup, mechanical looseness, and tendency to over-rotate are fully disclosed. Its exact unit assignments and individual service history are unknown, but it would display particularly well in a Colt Single Action Army, U.S. cavalry, Artillery Model, Spanish-American War era, Philippine-American War era, or American frontier arms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1876 - Arsenal reworked late 1890s
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 32431 - Frame
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
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.