Colt Single Action Army:

The Colt Single Action Army handgun (also known as the Colt Peacemaker, Single Action Army or SAA,^[1] Colt .45 and sometimes as The Equalizer or Colt Peacekeeper) is a single action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six rounds. It was designed for the US government service revolver trials of 1873 by Colt's Manufacturing Company and adopted as the standard military service revolver.

The .45 Colt cartridge was of center fire design containing charges of up to 40 grains (2.6 g) of fine grained black powder and a 255-grain (16.5 g) blunt round nosed bullet. Relative to period cartridges and most later handgun rounds, it was quite powerful in its full loading.

The Colt Single Action Army handgun replaced the Colt 1860 Army Percussion revolver and remained the primary US Military sidearm until 1892 when it was replaced by an enclosed frame Colt double action revolver. By 1875, 15,000 units chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge had entered service along with an additional 1863 chambered for the .44 Henry rimfire cartridge (Wilson 1985.)

By the mid 1870s, the Army had purchased a significant number of Smith and Wesson revolvers chambering a shorter .45 round. Logistical problems arose because the ammunition was not interchangeable. The Colt revolvers would accept the shorter round but not vice versa. For a time, the Government stopped orders for the longer Colt cartridge and used the Smith and Wesson round exclusively.

Variations 1873- 1941

The Single Action Army became available in standard barrel lengths of 4 3/4", 5 1/2" as well as the Cavalry standard, original 7 1/2". The shorter barreled revolvers are sometimes called the "Civilian" or "Gunfighter" model (4 3/4") and the Artillery Model (5 1/2"). In practice, the customer could order just about any barrel length and combination of basic features and finish. In 1892, at serial number 144,000, a springloaded base pin latch replaced the cylinder pin retaining screw and by 1900, at serial number 192,000, the Colt Single Action was certified for use with smokeless powder. (ibid Wilson). In 1920, larger, highly visible sights replaced the original thin blade /notch. The revolvers remained essentially unchanged from that point until cessation of manufacture at the beginning of World War II.

45 Colt Cartridge Variations

The original .45 Colt black powder load of 40 grains propelled the 250-255 grain bullet at a nominal 970 feet per second (300 m/s). Authors Taffin and Venturino have demonstrated that modern black powder loadings of the 45 Colt cartridge frequently achieve velocities in the vicinity of 1,000 feet per second (300 m/s) with the 7-1/2" "cavalry" barrel length, even though modern solid-head cases make it impossible to load a full 40 grains. Specifications for 20th-century smokeless loads set velocity with a 255-grain (16.5 g) round-nosed flat-point bullet at 870 feet per second (270 m/s) providing 429-foot-pound-force (582 J) energy (Smith 1968).

The current version of the 45 Colt differs from the original cartridge case in that the rim is significantly larger (with a groove immediately above it) and the internal aspect of the primer pocket is surrounded by solid brass instead of protruding into the powder chamber. This "solid head" case is stronger and resists deformation of the primer pocket. Some commercial and custom revolvers and single-shot pistols (such as the Ruger Blackhawk, T/C Contender and others) employ high-pressure loads that are dangerous in the Single Action Army and other vintage arms chambered for the 45 Colt cartridge, especially 19th-century "pre-smokeless" revolvers which should be fired (if at all) only with black powder or light smokeless loads.

Prior to World War II, the 45 Colt used a groove diameter of .454"; post-WW II production adopted the .452" groove diameter of the 45 ACP. Handloaders should slug their barrels to determine the correct groove diameter, and size cast bullets accordingly.

Calibers

By 1878 the Colt SAA was being offered from the factory in additional calibers for civilian and foreign military sales. Many were sold in .44-40 Winchester Center Fire (WCF), introduced in 1878 to allow cross-compatibility with the Winchester '73 lever action rifle (this model was called the "Frontier Six-Shooter" which was etched and later stamped on the barrel). Additional period calibers for the SAA included .38-40 Winchester (38 WCF) introduced in 1884, and the 32-20 Winchester (32 WCF) introduced in 1884 and the 41 Colt introduced in 1885. Some of the separately-serialized 44 Henry Rimfire revolvers were rechambered to .22 rimfire after 1885. The SAA at one time or another was offered in dozens of calibers from 22 rimfire to 45 Colt, though the latter has always been the most common. A scaled-down .22 rimfire version called the Scout or Frontier Scout was available in the late 20th century, and these guns now command high prices.

1. First Generation Single Action Army from 1918, 32 WCF (32-20)

2. Second Generation Colt engraved in 19th Century pattern

First, Second, Third Generation Colt Single Action and Major Calibers

3. Removable/Replaceable cylinder bushing from first and second generations

4. Removable/Replaceable firing pin bushing from first and second generations

From 1873 through 1940 (with small numbers produced during and after World War II), production of colt single actions reached 357,859. This is identified as the "Pre War" or "First Generation of the model. Calibers, at least thirty in all, ranged from .22 rimfire through .476 Eley with approximately half or 158,884 (including separately numbered Bisley and Flat Top Target variations), were in the .45 Colt chambering. The next most prevalent were the .44-40 Winchester Center fire (WCF) at 71,392; 38-40 (38 WCF)at 50,520; 32-20 Winchester (32 WCF) at 43,284 and, the 41 Colt at 19,676 (ibid: Wilson.)

Second Generation Colts were produced from 1956-1974. The Third Generation ran from 1976 until 1982 and became a limited-issue product. In 1994, production resumed and is known either as "Late Third Generation" or sometimes Fourth Generation. After 1974, the barrel thread pitch was changed and a solid cylinder bushing replaced the removable/replaceable part from the first and second generations.

The popularity of "Cowboy Action Shooting" may have given the classic SAA yet another lease on life, just as quick-draw and TV Westerns did in the 1950's. Colt's Website advertises current (4th Generation?) production in either all-nickel or blued with color case-hardened frame, in the traditional 4-3/4", 5-1/2" and 7-1/2" barrel lengths, and chambered for 32-20, 38-40, 44-40, 38 Special, 357 Magnum or 45 Colt -- an impressive total of 36 variations. A hammer-block safety reportedly has been added. Their Website also offers custom barrel lengths. Pricing depends on the individual dealer; one Web dealer offers these new revolvers for under $1300 blued or under $1500 nickel, plus the fee charged by your local dealer to receive the shipment for you as required by Federal law. Excellent-condition or near-new 3rd-generation SAA's are selling on the Web for $1000 to $2500 (more for rare, engraved or special models, etc., even approaching $10,000 for true rarities such as unfired, cased, engraved, highly-decorated revolvers with full provenance.)

Operation

The Single Action Army action is a refinement of the earlier Colt percussion revolvers and the Colt 1871 cartridge revolver. The six-shot cylinder is mounted on a central axis and operated by a hand working off the hammer and engaging ratchets at the rear of the cylinder. Three notches on the face of the hammer engage the sear portion of the trigger, affording four basic hammer positions. The hammer when fully lowered rests within the frame (photo 5). Drawn slightly to the rear, the hammer engages the safety notch of the sear and holds the firing pin out of direct contact with a chambered cartridge. Like the earlier percussion revolvers, the Single Action Army was designed to allow loading of all of the chambers. The safety notch replaced pins on the rear of the percussion revolver cylinders which served the same purpose as the safety position by preventing hammer contact with the primer/percussion cap. At some point in the history of the Single Action Army, many users adopted the practice of leaving an empty chamber under the hammer because a sharp blow could damage the mechanism and allow the fully loaded revolver to fire. This practice is now universally recommended (Keith 1956.) Drawn back about half way, the hammer engages the second notch (photo 6). This cams the cylinder bolt out of engagement and allows the cylinder to rotate for loading. Fully cocked, the revolver is ready to fire (photo 7). Cartridge ejection is via the spring-loaded rod housed in a tube on the right side of the barrel. The loading sequence:

1. Place the revolver on half-cock and open the loading gate to the side (photo 6);

2. Load each chamber in sequence (original), setting the hammer in the safety notch when finished; or (safe and prudent method) load one chamber, skip the next, load the remaining four chambers, close the loading gate, draw the hammer to full cock and lower fully, making sure that the firing pin is over the empty chamber.

3. Firing the revolver is accomplished by drawing the hammer to full cock and pulling the trigger. The hammer must be manually cocked for each shot.

It is possible to fire the SAA rapidly by holding down the trigger and "fanning" the hammer with the other hand. While this is often shown in movies, it is inaccurate and unsafe and should not be attempted; it also can damage the revolver mechanism and cylinder, requiring expensive replacement. Photos 3 – 7 show a U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Co. revolver. The U.S. Fire Arms Safety and Instructional Manual for Single Action Firearms describes safe handling procedures and user responsibility.^[2]

Legacy

The power, accuracy and handling qualities of the Single Action Army made it a popular sidearm from its inception and well into the 20th century. Such notable old west personalities as Wyatt Earp and William Barclay Bat Masterson favored these revolvers with Earp's elusive and possibly apocryphal "Buntline Special" Colt Buntline gaining fame in the Earp Biography by Stewart Lake. An order for a somewhat customized Single Action Army from Masterson remains in the Colt archives (Ibid Wilson). The association with the history of the American West remains to the present century and the revolvers remain popular with shooters and collectors. Famed British adventurer and soldier T. E. Lawrence ("of Arabia") had a special fondness for this weapon because it saved his life during one of his pre-World War I trips to Mesopotamia; he was attacked by an Arab bandit who stole the gun and tried to shoot Lawrence. However, the bandit was unable to fire the weapon because he did not understand the revolver's single-action mechanism. Lawrence thereafter always carried one of these weapons for good luck. (see Lowell Thomas, With Lawrence In Arabia (1924)). US Army General George S. Patton, who began his career in the horse-cavalry, carried a custom-made SAA with ivory grips engraved with his initials and an eagle, which became his trademark. He used it during the Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1916 to kill two of Pancho Villa's lieutenants, and carried it until his death in 1945 shortly after the end of World War II.

In the early and mid-20th century, original Peacemakers lacking historical provenance and not in pristine condition were not particularly valuable. They served as raw material for early enthusiasts such as Elmer Keith, Harold Croft and R. F. Sedgley who modified the revolvers to enhance performance and experimented with more effective ammunition. (Bowen 2001.) At the beginning of the 21st Century, first and second generation SAA's are highly regarded as collectors' items and often considered too valuable to shoot. Later Colt editions are more common, and various copies and near-copies of the revolver are made by A. Uberti of Italy, now owned by the P. Beretta firm, and others. American manufacturers include Colt Manufacturing Company, which still retains the model in its catalog. U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Co. builds several variations that are true to the original first and second generation specifications. STI International has introduced a very precisely made Single Action Army with a modified hand/spring assembly designed to last longer than the originals.

The Single Action Army is the precursor and inspiration for modern sporting revolvers from Ruger, John Linebaugh, Freedom Arms and others.

Inspector's Marks and Engraving

All original, good condition, first generation Single Action Armies (those produced between 1873 and 1941) are among the most valuable to the collector. Especially valuable, often going for well over $10,000, are the OWA and the Nettleton Single Action Army Colts. The very first production Single Action Army, thought lost for many years after its production, was found in a barn in Nashua, New Hampshire in the early 1900s.

The OWA Colt refers to the earliest issued Single Action Army guns which were inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth. Ainsworth was the ordnance sub-inspector at the Colt factory for the first 13 months (Oct. 1873 to Nov. 1874) of the Single Action Army's production. It was Ainsworth who inspected the Colts used by Col. G.A. Custer's 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The number range of possible Little Bighorn Colts is 4500 - 7527. Photo of the Serial No. 5773 go to http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:SAA_5773_oN.JPG

Henry Nettleton was the ordnance inspector in 1878 at the Springfield Armory. Second only to the OWA Colts, Nettleton Colts are prized by serious collectors. Both the Nettleton and OWA Colts have the cartouche (OWA or HN) on the left side of the wood grip.^[3]

Another historical military SAA revolver is the Artillery Model. It was issued to the rear-echelon troops, artillerymen, and such during the Spanish-American war period. Following the Indian wars, in 1895, the 7-1/2" cavalry SAAs had fallen into disrepair and had been sent back to the Colt factory or Springfield Armory to be refurbished, fitted with a shortened barrel (cut from a 7 1/2" (191 mm) to a 5 1/2" (140 mm) and re-issued. Most of the Artillery Colts had mixed numbers. The standard military revolver at the time was the Colt double-action New Army revolver, chambered in 38 Colt. Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill wielding the Artillery Model. Artillery models usually can be identified by the original inspector's cartouche (such as OWA or HN) on the left side of the grips and the cartouche of Rinaldo A. Carr (RAC), the inspector who inspected the refurbished guns, on the right side.

Often even more valuable are original factory-engraved Colt SAA's. Colt engraved less than one (1) percent of 1st-generation production, which makes them extremely rare( Wilson 1985.) Engraved pieces often were ordered by or for famous people of the day, including law/police, government/heads of state. Colt employed a number of highly skilled engravers, many of whom were highly-trained artisans who immigrated to America from Europe.

References

Taffin, John The STI Texican 45 Colt,American Handgunner Magazine May/June 2008 page 56 San Diego, CA Publisher's Development Corp. 2008

Venturino, Mike The Other Old West Sixguns GUNs Magazine page 48 San Diega CA May 2008

Wilson, R.L. “Colt, An American Legend.” New York-London:Artabras, A division of Abbeville Publishing Group 1985

W.H.B Smith Book of Pistols and Revolvers 7th Edition Harrisburg, PA, Stackpole Books 1968

Footnotes

^ pronounced "ess-ey-ey" in U.S. English
^ see U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Co. Safety and Instruction Manual for single action firearms, retrieved on 08 September 2008.
^ "Henry Nettleton" is a trademark of U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Co., which manufactures replicas of government inspected guns.

Colt Single Action Army

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