Listed below are the various styles encountered. It was simply designated the “Old Style’ or the “New Style” After the change the part number was not changed, but the configuration of the part did. This part was used unchanged until 1976 when the 3rd generation version was brought out. Many non gunsmithing persons call them a cylinder stop. The technical factory name for these parts is a “Bolt” or probably a locking bolt. When we refer to Old Style or New Style, we are actually meaning the Old Style as being either the 1st or 2nd generation, while the New Style as the 3rd generation. The new cylinder eliminated the integral base pin bushing. Cylinders:Īlso the cylinder ratchets were made differently, thus requiring other component parts that mate to & function with the cylinder to be also altered. On the later 3rd generation the barrel threads were changed to a finer pitch. The threads on the 1st & 2nd generation guns used a 20 thread per inch threads. This gun happens to be a 1st Generation Barrel s:
Later in the 3rd generation series the New Frontier was introduced with a more squarer top strap of the frame for accommodation of adjustable rear sights plus a ramped base & front sight.Ĭolt model 1873, also known as the Single Action Army, or the “P” model at the factory. The Bisley model was introduced in the 1890’s, and featured a redesigned grip & hammer. Many military SAA’s were refurbished by Springfield Armory or Colt for reissue with a shorter 5-1/2″ barrel, and these are called “Artillery Models” today. The original 7-1/2″ barrel martial version is called the “Cavalry Model” by collectors. The SAA was used by the US military from it’s introduction through the Spanish American War & Philippine insurrection. Special guns made without ejector rods or housings were called “Sheriff’s Models” or “Storekeepers Models”, and often had shorter than standard barrels. Standard barrel lengths were 7-1/2″, 5-1/2″, and 4-3/4″, with others available on special order. Other calibers as 38 Special & 44 Special were among those included. 41 Colt was the only other caliber produced in significant quantity, although a number of other chamberings were available on special order. 32 WCF (32-20) placed 2nd, 3rd & 4th in popularity doubtless in part due to the fact that paired with an 1873 or 1892 Winchester they allowed the usage of the same cartridge in both rifle and revolver, simplifying supply logistics.
45 Colt chambering was by far the most popular, accounting for nearly half of the pre-WWII SAA’s. The factory even today uses model designations of the alphabet & this model was the “P”. Single Action Army was what the military used when the guns were issued to the cavalry. The Peacemaker was another name used by the old west community.
These guns carried a varied number of names, from 1873 for the year it was introduced.
On these, the “SA” marking is moved to the front of the serial number. In 1976 a “Third” generation of Colt Single Action Armys was introduced. Production resumed in 1956, and these guns are known as “Second” generation Single Action Army revolvers, which are quickly identified by a “SA” suffix at the end of their s/n, and continued through 1975. The First Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers were produced between their introduction in 1873 and WWII.