Part 10 Of 12 Part Genesis Of The Colt Single Action. In the fall of 1976 when reading an article by writer Skeeter Skelton, I got both good news and bad news. The bad news was Colt had quietly discontinued production of the 2nd Generation Single Action Army (SAA) in 1974. Few shooters outside the firearms industry had heard a word about it.
- In 1873, Colt’s single-action Army (SAA) revolver became the Army’s standard sidearm. Cavalry troopers were armed with the new revolvers. Lawmen and outlaws alike were quick to adopt the handy new 6-shooter which earned the nickname “Peacemaker.” The single-action Army was most widely produced with a color case-hardened frame and blued.
- This incredible Colt.45cal SAA (Single Action Army) Revolver has a slightly shortened 6' barrel, and is fit with custom ivory grips! The revolver's serial number is 13892, built in 1874 with Assembly Number 266 on loading gate. Original Item: Only One Available. This is every School boy's dream!
Colt Single Action Serial Numbers
| Colt M1878 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | North West Mounted Police Cowboys Bandits and Outlaws of the American frontier United States Army Native Americans Gold Prospectors Fur Trappers Hunters |
| Wars | American Indian wars Northwest Rebellion Spanish American war Philippine-American war |
| Production history | |
| Designer | William Mason |
| Specifications | |
| Caliber | .45 Colt, .32-20 WCF, .38 Colt, .38-40 WCF, .41 Colt, .44-40 WCF, .455 Webley, .476 Eley |
| Action | double-action revolver |
| Feed system | Cylinder |
The Colt M1878 is a double-actionrevolver that was manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1878 to 1907. It is often referred to as the 'Frontier' or the 'Double Action Army' revolver. A total of 51,210 Model 1878 revolvers were manufactured from 1878 to 1907, including 4,600 for the US Ordnance Department. These are known as the 'Philippine' or 'Alaskan' models.[1]
Colt Single Action Army 45 For Sale
History[edit]
Samuel Colt experimented with double-action revolver systems, but he considered them to be unreliable. After Colt's patent expired in 1857, other manufacturers began producing double-action revolvers, but Colt's Manufacturing did not manufacture its own double-action revolver until 1877, twenty years after the patent had expired.[2]
The M1878 was designed by William Mason, Colt's factory manager and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, Superintendent of Engineering. It was similar in design to the Colt Model 1877. The Model 1878 had a larger frame, and is therefore sometimes referred to as the 'large frame' double-action revolver, while the Model 1877 is likewise referred to as the 'small frame' double-action revolver. The Model 1878 was considered a more robust and reliable design than the Model 1877.
Design and features[edit]
The design of the Model 1878 was based on the Model 1877, which in turn was based heavily on the design of the earlier Colt Single Action Army revolver. A strut is added to connect the trigger movement to the hammer. The top of the trigger slips beyond the strut so that the hammer will stay in full cock if it is pulled back manually.[3]
The Model 1878 had a larger frame than the Model 1877, which allowed it to fire larger and more powerful cartridges such as the .45 Colt and .44-40, and used the same barrel & ejector parts as the Single Action Army revolver and a very similar cylinder. At one time, the factory modified Model 1878 cylinders for use in single-action revolvers in an attempt to use up spare parts.[3]
Variants[edit]
The Model 1878 was available in .45 Colt, .32-20, .38 Colt, .38-40, .41 Colt, .44-40, .455 Webley and .476 Eley. The most popular calibers were .45 and .44-40.
Standard grips were black checkered hard rubber but some early revolvers were produced with checkered walnut grips. Barrel lengths available were 3, 3-1/2, 4, 4-3/4, 5-1/2, and 7-1/2 inches.[1] Revolvers with 4-inch and shorter barrels did not have an ejector.[1]
In 1902, 4,600 Model 1878 revolvers were produced for a U.S. Army contract. They were intended to equip the Philippine Constabulary under Brigadier GeneralHenry T. Allen in the Philippine Insurrection. These revolvers had 6-inch barrels, hard rubber grips, and were chambered for the .45 Colt round. They had strengthened mainsprings and longer triggers to give the user more leverage, resulting in larger trigger guards. The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire the .45 Government rounds which had a less sensitive primer compared to the civilian .45 LC ammunition. Many people have incorrectly assumed that this was to allow the revolver to be operated while wearing gloves, so 'Alaskan Model' is a misnomer.[1] These revolvers are unofficially designated the Model 1902 (M1902).
References[edit]
- ^ abcdFlayderman, Norm (3 December 2007). Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 109–110. ISBN1-4402-2651-2.
- ^Boorman, Dean K. (2004). Guns of the Old West: An Illustrated History. Globe Pequot Press. pp. 34–35. ISBN978-1-59228-638-6.
- ^ abChicoine, David (28 September 2005). Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: The Comprehensive Guide to Pistols, Rifles & Shotguns. Iola, wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 76–77. ISBN0-87349-767-8.
External links[edit]
Colt Single Action Army Pistol
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Stock: Stock, c. 1883, serial number 97932, . 45 caliber, walnut grips, lanyard loop on the butt, marked on the left side of the frame 'PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. /JULY 2-72. ... [more like this] - Colt Lightning Small Frame 22 Cal. Rifle
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no. 152200 for 1893, .45 Colt. 7 1/2 inch Hartford-marked barrel stamped 45 Colt. Staghorn grips. Condition: Good. Grey metal showing much thin blue finish. Barrel probably ... [more like this] - Martially Marked Colt Single-action Army
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