Excellent .44-40 Caliber Colt Single Action Army with Bridgeport Fast Draw System

Colt Frontier Revolver – Single Action Army "Six-Shooter"

Manufacture: 1894 – Caliber: .44-40 – Feature: Original nickel plating

History

The Colt Single Action Army (SAA)—also known as the Colt Peacemaker or "Six-Shooter," depending on the caliber—is one of the most iconic revolvers of the American West. Introduced in 1873, it was the first Colt model designed for centerfire black-powder metallic cartridges and featured a solid-frame design offering significantly greater rigidity than earlier models. Simple to operate, disassemble, and maintain, the SAA quickly became the quintessential revolver of the Old West. The most popular calibers were the .45 Long Colt (LC) and the .44 WCF (.44-40); the latter was particularly prized for its compatibility with Winchester rifles, allowing pioneers to use a single type of ammunition. Produced in a multitude of barrel lengths, finishes, and variants, it remains one of the most collectible models in the world. Colt SAAs manufactured before 1900 fall under Category D classification.

The 1882 Bridgeport system is considered the precursor to "fast draw" rigs. In this sliding system, the revolver is secured by a specific pin known as a "mushroom screw." To prepare for immediate firing, one simply slides the weapon toward the open section of the holster—a process significantly faster than a traditional draw. The weapon can easily be converted back to the standard configuration by replacing the mushroom screw with the "No. 33 screw," as listed in Colt’s spare parts catalog.

Our Model

Our Colt Frontier revolver—featuring the "gunfight" configuration with a short barrel and the Bridgeport fast draw system—comes ready for action. The metal parts have been remarkably well preserved, with fine traces of the original finish still visible on the most protected areas—notably beneath the ejector rod housing, on the upper part of the grip frame, and on the hammer—testifying to excellent overall preservation. The markings are particularly well preserved: the famous Colt "prancing pony," often faint or even worn away on this type of firearm, is perfectly legible here, as is the "Colt Frontier Six Shooter" inscription engraved on the barrel, which is strictly correct for this model. The Colt address marking on the top of the barrel appears on two lines, consistent with this 4¾-inch barrel length. The serial number 155XXX, found on all the firearm's component parts, indicates manufacture in 1894 and confirms the authenticity and integrity of the set. The screw heads are in excellent condition, reflecting the care taken by previous owners. The original grips show wear consistent with the firearm's age and remain in good overall condition. Two marks visible on the underside appear to correspond to an early customization. A "60 CP" marking on the left grip is likely related to a period-correct assignment or identification.

The Bridgeport system fitted to this revolver strictly conforms to the description and illustrations found on page 100 of K. Cochran’s reference work, *Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia*. It is a Colt-manufactured item from the 1880s, produced for the Simmons Hardware company based in St. Louis, Missouri. The leather, initially very dry, was lightly rehydrated (using Ballistol) and subsequently preserved in its current state. The "mushroom" screw appears to be an old replacement, while the rest of the system is original and shows authentic signs of use. Mechanically, this Colt stands out for its flawless operation: the four distinct "Colt clicks" are crisp and well-defined, the action is smooth, the cylinder indexing is precise, and there is no play or excessive barrel-cylinder gap when cocked. The 4¾-inch barrel, chambered in .44-40 (44 WCF), features an excellent, smooth bore with sharp rifling, ensuring the firearm is fully functional for shooting.

This Colt Single Action Army “Frontier Six Shooter” revolver, equipped with the Bridgeport fast-draw system, stands as a remarkable testament to the history of the American Frontier and the Old West, presented in a configuration that is as rare as it is authentic.

The firearm comes with its official classification certificate issued by the Saint-Étienne National Proof House.