1877 Colt .44 Rimfire Revolver – Rare Historic Firearm – Colt Archive Letter

Colt Revolver – Single Action Army Rimfire

Manufacture: 1877 – Caliber: .44 Rimfire – Features: Extremely rare production, mirror-like bore

History

The Colt Single Action Army, nicknamed the "Peacemaker," is undoubtedly one of the most iconic revolvers in American history. Introduced in 1873 and quickly adopted by the U.S. Army, it distinguished itself through its ruggedness, reliability, and pivotal role in the winning of the West. Used by both military forces and civilians—pioneers, lawmen, and legendary figures of the Wild West alike—it became a true icon, immortalized by history and cinema.

In 1875, Colt introduced the .44 Rimfire caliber—identical to that of the Winchester Model 1866—hoping to appeal to customers who wanted a single type of ammunition for both long guns and revolvers. However, the expected success did not materialize; fewer than 1,900 units were produced in this caliber. By the early 1880s, sales had become negligible, and by the end of the decade, many of these revolvers were converted to .22 caliber. Examples that have retained their original .44 Rimfire chambering are today among the rarest and most sought-after Colt collector's items.

Our Model

This historic Colt revolver has survived the years without any restoration or modification, preserving the absolute authenticity sought by the most discerning collectors.

The frame, originally case-hardened, has naturally aged to a superb light gunmetal hue. The barrel retains visible traces of its original bluing, while the cylinder—with edges still crisp—displays a beautiful finish with a large proportion of the factory bluing intact. The hammer, specific to this model, retains its splendid original case-hardened finish.

This revolver exhibits all the characteristics of early Colt Single Action Army models: a first-pattern ejector rod, a barrel correct for this configuration, the manufacturer's address stamped in italics on the top of the barrel, the patent dates arranged in two lines on the frame, and the ".44" caliber marking engraved beneath the barrel (with the caliber repeated on the trigger guard). The serial number 4XX—specific to this caliber—confirms an extremely early date of manufacture: 1877. This number is present and matching on all major components (frame, trigger guard, cylinder, grip frame, and under the barrel), in accordance with Colt standards of the era. The screw heads are in excellent condition, reflecting the care taken by previous owners. The revolver is fitted with its original walnut grip featuring a varnished finish, typical of civilian models; the grip is in excellent condition, showing only minor signs of use consistent with its age.

Mechanically, this revolver is simply outstanding. The four "clicks" are crisp and perfectly audible. Despite being manufactured in 1877, it exhibits no play or excessive cylinder gap. The 7½-inch barrel, chambered for .44 Rimfire, features an exceptional, mirror-like bore with wide, deep rifling—an extremely rare find for this caliber and period.

With only a few hundred examples believed to survive today, this .44 Rimfire Colt Single Action Army is preserved in truly exceptional condition, making it a major piece worthy of the most prestigious collections of historic American firearms.

The firearm is sold with a Colt Archives letter confirming its specifications.

Classified as a Category D firearm, it comes with an official classification certificate issued by the Saint-Étienne National Proof House and is available for purchase by adults without a special permit.