Rare Early US Cavalry Colt SAA Peacemaker, .45 Caliber, Mint-Bore, Restored

Colt Revolver – Single Action Army US Cavalry

Manufacture: 1875 – Caliber: .45 Colt – Feature: High-quality restoration

A collectible, military-issue black powder Colt Single Action Army revolver manufactured in 1875; a matching-serial-number model intended for the US Cavalry, restored in accordance with original Colt finishes.

History

Adopted by the US Army in 1873, the Colt Single Action Army became the standard-issue revolver for cavalry regiments and one of the most iconic weapons of the conquest of the American West. Chambered in .45 Colt, it accompanied the "Bluecoats" during the Indian Wars, the Frontier campaigns, and the final years of the Civil War. Early production models from 1874 and 1875 are the most sought-after today. They allow for the identification of the military sub-inspectors responsible for weapon quality control, offering significant historical interest for collectors of US military Colts.

Our Model

Note: This revolver matches the specifications of weapons inspected by Sub-Inspector Lewis, as described by J. Kopec in the reference work *Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers* (pp. 39 and 43).

This US Cavalry Colt Single Action Army is an early 1875 production model intended for cavalry troops. The weapon has undergone a meticulous restoration, carried out in strict adherence to original Colt finishes. The frame and hammer display superb case-hardening, while the barrel, cylinder, and other metal parts feature a deep, perfectly uniform blued finish. It exhibits all the hallmarks of early production: the italicized barrel address, two-line Colt patent markings, and an early-style ejector rod head. Matching serial number 16XXX appears on the frame, barrel, and cylinder, confirming a consistent example manufactured in 1875. Sub-inspector Lewis’s stamps—identified by the letter "L"—are visible in several locations on the firearm, as well as on the butt. These markings are highly sought-after, as Lewis inspected a relatively limited number of revolvers. The military-style grip is in perfect condition and retains a clearly legible inspection cartouche.

Mechanically, the firearm is in exceptional condition. The four distinct "Colt clicks" are crisp, the action is positive, the timing is precise, and the hammer strike is powerful; there is no play or excessive cylinder gap. The absence of a "drag line" on the cylinder suggests extremely limited use since its restoration. The 7½-inch barrel (chambered in .45 Colt) features a mirror-like bore with perfectly defined rifling.

This 1875 US Cavalry Colt Single Action Army combines the most desirable qualities—early manufacture, military configuration, matching serial numbers, Lewis sub-inspector stamps, and a top-tier restoration—making it a centerpiece for any collection of American black-powder firearms.

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