

Relative to period cartridges and most later handgun rounds, it was quite powerful in its full loading. 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. 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. Production began in 1873 with the Single Action Army model 1873, also referred to as the "New Model Army Metallic Cartridge Revolving Pistol". 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. 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.

īound 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. Cavalry, was 7 + 1⁄ 2 inches (19 cm), with an overall length of 13 inches (33 cm). The original length of the barrel, issued to the U.S.

Its design has influenced the production of numerous other models from other companies. Today, they are mainly bought as memorabilia by collectors and re-enactors. The revolver was dubbed as "Colt Peacemaker" and is a famous piece of Americana, as it was popular with ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws alike since its creation and due to its association with the American Wild West era. Colt has cancelled its production twice, but brought it back due to popular demand. Its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. The Colt SAA has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths. government service revolver trials of 1872 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company (today known as Colt's Manufacturing Company) and was adopted as the standard-issued pistol of the US Army in 1873 until 1892. The Colt Single Action Army (also known as the SAA, Model P, Peacemaker, or M1873) is a single-action revolver handgun. William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff RichardsĬolt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing CompanyĢ.31 lbs (1.048 kg) (with 7 + 1⁄ 2″ barrel)ġ0.25″ (260 mm, with 4 + 3⁄ 4″ barrel) 11″ (279 mm, with 5 + 1⁄ 2″ barrel) and 13″ (330 mm, with 7 + 1⁄ 2″ barrel)
