THE 1873 SINGLE ACTION ARMY COLT REVOLVER

Few firearms carry the legacy of the 1873 Single Action Army Colt Revolver. This is the gun that children pretend to wield when playing the part of the cowboy; the firearm they imagine when pointing an “L” shaped stick at imaginary foes. It is no wonder, then, that as adults, so many are interested in one of the defining arms that was a part of the American push westward.

The SAA, referred to by many names, including the Peacemaker and the Colt .45, was developed in 1872 and deployed to the US army in 1873, and remained the main military firearm until 1892. While the army moved on to the .38 Long Colt caliber Colt Model 1892, the SSA remained in production through 1941. Production was resumed in 1956 through 1974, and then again two years later in 1976. The latest generation remains in production today.

The SSA has a tremendous amount of history tied to its past, which makes this weapon a tremendously successful collectors item. Both in history and throughout entertainment, this weapon takes a prominent place. Several characters in the movie Shane carry the Colt SSA. John Wayne nearly exclusively carried a SSA through his Western movies. Johnny Ringo and Doc Holiday both carry the 4.75” “Quickdraw” model in Tombstone. T. E. Lawrence carried one throughout his adventures after narrowly avoiding being shot by someone unfamiliar with the revolver. George S. Patton was known for his appreciation of his Peacemaker.

The Colt .45 has earned this place by being a solid, reliable revolver with a legendary look and sound. Much like the distinctive sound of the Remington 870, the sound of the Colt SSA hammer pull evokes the history that accompanies the weapon.

It is with good reason that the 1873 Single Action Colt Revolver is one of the most prized possessions of many gun collectors. Individual lots contain tremendous historical value, and can be tied to individual inspectors, engravers, and craftsmen through the weapon’s history. However, because of the nearly uninterrupted production, this weapon is available to nearly every level of gun collector, and most budgets. A beginning collector interested in a reasonably priced, usable weapon will find a great, usable firearm in a more recently manufactured Colt .45, while a collector with a less limited budget might pursue a higher value Colt produced and stamped with OWA (Orville Wood Ainsworth). The Colt Peacemaker makes a great addition to a gun collection or a great starting point for the new gun collector.