Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Colt Single Action Army .45-caliber revolver in later Artillery Model configuration, built around an early 1874-production frame, Serial No. 11554. Originally manufactured as a full-length U.S. military revolver, it was subsequently rebuilt with a 5½-inch barrel and mixed government-inspected components as part of the military’s Artillery Model alteration program. The crisp U.S. marking on the frame, Ainsworth-inspected trigger guard, R.A.C.-inspected barrel, and mixed serial numbers document the revolver’s early manufacture and later government refurbishment.

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 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 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 early serial number 11554 on the frame, which dates production to 1874, the SECOND year of production! The trigger guard however is even EARLIER, marked with 1899, also made in 1874! The cylinder does not have any markings, so the serial was either worn away, or it as produced after 1883, when the cylinders stopped being marked. There is a faint 64?6 under the ejector, which we could only see in the right lighting, which were not able to photograph. The loading gate bears a clear 238 assembly number.

At the time the frame this Artillery Model was produced, the sub-inspector for Single Action Army revolvers was Orville W. Ainsworth, who would continue until about serial number 14,343 in November 1874, when he retired due to failing health. There is no "A" inspector stamp next to the serial on the frame, however this is correct for Ainsworth inspected Single Action Army revolvers, however there is an A proof the trigger guard, which is also in the correct range for Ainsworth. The bottom of the barrel is marked with a P proof and a faint R.A.C. inspection marki for Rinaldo A. Carr, a civilian employee of the War Department who was the sub-inspector on the Double Action Army revolvers and other Colt arms during the 1890s.

The revolver in full working order and condition, with the original blued finish now worn to an overall gray patina, with just a few areas of past peppering, sure to delight any Americana collector with an interest in the Spanish-American War. The original single line Colt address marking on the top of the barrel is worn, with some letters completely missing, while others have the lower portion worn away:-

[COLT'S PT. F.]A. MFG. CO. [HART]FORD. CT. U.S.A.

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

These are the correct earliest first pattern markings, and next to them is a large U.S. surcharge, indicating U.S. Army acceptance. There is no caliber marking on the trigger guard, as when it was made the only available caliber was .45, and we have also also 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 definitely looks to have seen use, very possibly after military service, but it shows no signs of having been refinished or the finish touched up after it was was rebuilt into an Artillery Model. It has an overall gray oxidized patina from use and cleaning, as well as areas of showing scattered areas of oxidation staining and light peppering. The walnut grips have a lovely aged color, showing only light wear. It is very possible that they were replaced when the revolver was altered, which is consistent with other Artillery Model revolvers we have handled over the years.

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. As with all revolvers of this age we recommend being gentle with cycling it, so we do not recommend "fanning" or "fan firing". The cylinder base pin screw removes easily allowing the base pin to be removed, and the base pin bushing also can be removed as well. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There are a few areas of past fouling and oxidation, but considering the age and amount of service it saw, that it still looks this good is amazing! The loading gate swings open easily, and the ejector itself works great.

This U.S. Colt Single Action Army Artillery Model is built around an early 1874-production frame, Serial No. 11554, with an even earlier Serial No. 1899 marked trigger guard bearing an Ainsworth inspection mark. Its mixed serial numbers, 5½-inch R.A.C.-inspected barrel, U.S.-marked frame, and other replacement components are consistent with the government rebuilding and alteration of earlier Cavalry revolvers into Artillery configuration. The worn barrel address, gray patina, scattered oxidation, light peppering, and possible replacement grips are fully evident, giving the revolver an honest appearance consistent with extensive military and possibly later use. Although its exact issue history is unknown, it remains a well-preserved example of an early U.S. martial Colt given a second service life through the Artillery Model program.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1874 - Arsenal reworked late 1890s
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 11554 - 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.