Colt Single Action Army Western Revolver – 1899 Manufacture – .41 Caliber – “Smokeless Frame”

Colt Revolver – Single Action Army (Smokeless Frame)

Manufacture: 1899 – Caliber: .41 – Feature: Late production

History

The Colt Single Action Army, also known as the Colt Peacemaker, is a true legend in the history of American firearms. Introduced in 1873 by Colt’s Manufacturing Company, this revolver quickly gained worldwide renown thanks to its ruggedness, reliability, and pivotal role in the conquest of the American West. Officially adopted by the U.S. Army to equip its cavalry regiments, the Colt SAA established itself as the definitive sidearm of an entire era. Its simple, robust, and effective design made it an ideal companion in the field for soldiers and civilians alike—whether pioneers, lawmen, or outlaws.

Starting in 1892, Colt undertook a major evolution of its iconic Single Action Army revolver by reinforcing the frame design through the use of stronger steel. This evolution—commonly referred to as the "Smokeless Frame" or the transition from black powder to smokeless powder capability—is characterized notably by the adoption of a transverse cylinder pin (secured by a cross-pin button) replacing the front screw found on earlier models. This modification reflected Colt's foresight regarding the use of new smokeless powders, which were then rapidly gaining ground. However, it should be noted that Colt only officially certified the use of smokeless powder for revolvers produced after 1900. Today, these transitional "Smokeless Frame" revolvers remain highly sought after by collectors due to their pivotal role in the evolution of the Colt SAA.

Our Model

This Colt Single Action Army—in the short "gunfighter" configuration—belongs to a highly sought-after late production series. The metal parts feature a beautiful, uniform light gunmetal finish free of oxidation, with traces of the original bluing remaining in protected areas. The Colt markings are outstanding: deep, correct, and perfectly legible, attesting to the revolver's authenticity and excellent state of preservation. The Colt address stamped on the top of the barrel is neatly arranged over two lines, as is correct for this barrel length. The "Colt Pony" mark—often faint and delicate on these late-production models—is clearly visible here and strictly period-correct. The serial number (183XXX), which matches across all components, indicates a desirable 1899 date of manufacture. The cylinder retains crisp, well-defined edges, clearly indicating minimal wear. The grips are in excellent condition and perfectly fitted, showing only slight wear consistent with the overall condition of the firearm.

Mechanically, this late-production revolver is in excellent working order, with minimal cylinder gap and play. Its operation is flawless, featuring the four distinct "Colt clicks," precise indexing, and a crisp, smooth trigger pull. The 4¾-inch barrel, chambered in .41 Long Colt, has a bright bore with sharp, well-defined rifling and only very light signs of use, making this a fully functional firearm.

A fine late-production example of an iconic collectible Western firearm, in excellent condition.

The firearm comes with a classification certificate (Category D) issued by the Saint-Étienne National Proof House.