1881
Colt Single Action Army
The iconic "Peacemaker" revolver of the Wild West era.
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Colt Manufacturing Company
- Year
- 1881
- Type
- Single-action revolver
- Caliber
- .45 Colt
- Origin
- United States
- Length
- 13 inches
- Barrel
- 7.5 inches
- Weight
- 2.5 lbs
- Capacity
- 6 rounds
- Action
- Single-action
- Finish
- Blued barrel and cylinder, case-hardened frame
- Condition
- Fine - retains much original finish, excellent mechanics
- Serial Number
- 87562
Historical Context
Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873, the Colt Single Action Army quickly became the most recognized handgun of the American West. This 1881 example represents the cavalry model with its 7.5-inch barrel. Known by various names including "Peacemaker," "Frontier Six-Shooter," and "Hog Leg," the SAA was carried by cowboys, lawmen, outlaws, and soldiers alike. This era saw the gun used by legendary figures such as Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid, and Theodore Roosevelt. The SAA's perfect balance, reliable action, and powerful cartridge made it the dominant handgun of its time, and it remained in continuous production by Colt for over a century.