{"product_id":"original-u-s-surcharged-cavalry-model-colt-45cal-single-action-army-7-1-2-barrel-revolver-made-in-1876-with-period-belt-m1881-holster-and-factory-letter-serial-31311","title":"Original U.S. Surcharged Cavalry Model Colt .45cal Single Action Army 7 1\/2\" Barrel Revolver Made in 1876 with Period Belt, M1881 Holster, and Factory Letter - Serial 31311","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is every School boy's dream! A real Cowboy six gun, complete with a period U.S. leather belt and M1881 Holster! 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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 \u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped on the left side of the frame indicates that this revolver was issued to the U.S. Cavalry, which used these revolvers for many years. After service they were recalled to arsenals, and parts were swapped freely to replace those that were damaged, worn out, or otherwise no longer fit for service. For the Ordnance Dept. the only goal was having serviceable revolvers, not collector pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver is marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e31311\u003c\/strong\u003e on the frame, which dates production to \u003cstrong\u003e1876\u003c\/strong\u003e, right when early production was in full swing. We checked the bottom of the barrel, and it is marked with shortened number \u003cstrong\u003e1311\u003c\/strong\u003e under the ejector, so it matches the frame. Both are marked with inspector initials \u003cstrong\u003eJ.T.C.\u003c\/strong\u003e, for John T. Cleveland, who was sub inspector from 23 August 1876 to 13 February 1877. This was a VERY short period of time for an inspector, making \u003cstrong\u003eJTC marked single action army revolvers VERY desirable\u003c\/strong\u003e. The cylinder is marked on the side with \u003cstrong\u003e7226\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating it is early production (after 1883 cylinders were not marked), while the trigger guard is marked with \u003cstrong\u003e17569\u003c\/strong\u003e, the grip frame with \u003cb\u003e30727\u003c\/b\u003e, and the grip itself with \u003cstrong\u003e3640\u003c\/strong\u003e (or 8640), so they really dipped into the parts bin for this one! There is also assembly number \u003cstrong\u003e4543\u003c\/strong\u003e marked on the loading gate. It is in full working order and condition, showing a lovely worn patina with well broken-in walnut grips, sure to delight any Americana collector with an interest in the Spanish-American War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver came to us with an original Colt Factory letter from the office of the Colt Historian \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKathleen J. Hoyt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, which has her signature and correct raised seal applied in the lower left corner. The paper used is the correct Colt Letterhead and is dated \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOctober 28, 1996\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, indicating it is a \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, with the caliber listed as \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.45\/c\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e and finish listed as \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. The barrel length and type of stocks are \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot Listed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, however the standard configuration for the time would have been a 7 ½\" barrel with walnut stocks, so this revolver is still in the original ordered configuration, aside from replaced parts. The gun was sold to the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnited States Government\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, shipped on \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOctober 28, 1876\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e with \u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c\/strong\u003e other guns in the same configuration, with the recipient listed as the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Government Inspector located at the Colt plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. This is exactly what we would expect to see for a true \"Cavalry Model\", not one that was made for the commercial market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original single line Colt address marking on the top of the barrel is still fully present and legible:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the frame has the Colt patent dates fully legible:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT. SEPT.19.1871.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT. JULY. 2. 1872.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are the first pattern markings with only two lines, and this was made before the \"Prancing Pony\" logo began appearing on the frame in 1891. Next to them is a large\u003cstrong\u003e U.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e surcharge, indicating U.S. Army acceptance. There are also several single letter proofs on various components. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver really looks great, showing a lovely honest used patina, with no signs of excessive cleaning or refinishing, just how we like to see them. There is just a bit of past peppering in areas, and no major oxidation, making this a prime example. The grip does show evidence of long use and cleaning, with the front toe chipped away on the left side, and overall showing a rounded appearance from loss of wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, this revolver really is \"tight as a drum\"! The action is smooth, with a solid cylinder lock up, crisp dry fire, and almost no slop in the mechanics. 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 relatively 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\", which is probably why this revolver was chosen to be reworked. The ejector door swings open easily, and the ejector itself works great. Overall this is a great pistol, with a fantastic look!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included belt and holster are in lovely service used condition, showing the expected deterioration to the finish from age and use. These were issued with a black \/ dark brown finish, and as we usually see, the finish is flaking off in a lot of areas. The belt measures about 28 1\/2 inches long in the current configuration, and has the correct U.S. marked belt buckle. The holster is the Model 1881 type, and is marked on the back faintly with known maker \u003cstrong\u003eLANZ, OWEN \u0026amp; CO. \/ CHICAGO\u003c\/strong\u003e. The M1881 was designed to fit both the Smith \u0026amp; Wesson No.3 \"Schofield\" revolver as well as the Single Action Army, which is why there are two holes in the top flap. This unfortunately makes the flap prone to tearing, as this one looks to have don in the past, and was then glued back together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePistols such as this are extremely difficult to find today at any reasonable price. A classic Cavalry model Colt single action army, made in 1876 for the U.S. Military, and then recalled to arsenal, reworked, and reissued for further service. It's in lovely honest used condition, and with the included Colt factory letter, belt, and correct holster, it is sure to be a fantastic addition to any collection. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1876 - Arsenal Reworked later\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .45 \"Long\" Colt\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 7 1\/2 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 13 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the Colt Single Single Action Army\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBound by the Rollin White patent (#12,648, April 3, 1855) and not wanting to pay a royalty fee to Smith \u0026amp; 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\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt Single Action Army revolver, along with the 1870 and 1875 Smith \u0026amp; Wesson Model 3 \"Schofield\" revolver, replaced the Colt 1860 Army Percussion revolver. The Colt quickly gained favor over the S\u0026amp;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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44034399928389,"sku":"ONSV25TGS016","price":5995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25TGS016MAIN.jpg?v=1764018453","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-surcharged-cavalry-model-colt-45cal-single-action-army-7-1-2-barrel-revolver-made-in-1876-with-period-belt-m1881-holster-and-factory-letter-serial-31311","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}