Favorite Firearms: A Mystery Colt Single Action Army

by
posted on May 25, 2024
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Colt Single Action Army

Perusing an expired paper-edition Gun List several years ago, I came across an ad for this old 1880-1881 Colt Single Action Army. Can’t remember what I paid, but at that time, it was too cheap to believe it was still for sale. I believe it now to be a .44-40 Win. etched-panel gun, which, at the time, was basically unknown to me. I just wanted what I thought was a Colt SAA from what I considered to be the prime 1880-1881 cowboy years.

The revolver has a blackpowder screw frame with a bullseye ejector rod. The bore is surprisingly bright with heavy rifling, all the numbers match and the action is very tight. There is a noticeably darkened area of etched panel. The seller stated that it looked like it had ivory stocks, but he was sure they were plastic. I couldn’t believe anyone would custom-carve plastic stocks, and I was convinced they were authentic ivory—which it turns out they were. Upon its arrival, I was understandably ecstatic at my good fortune.

I’d love to track down and find out any information on the law-enforcement officer/sheriff carved into the stocks, but I figure that 140 years later, that info is probably lost to the ages, though it does seem to have a recognizable look to it. Unfortunately, I made an amateur’s mistake of changing out the ejector housing that was slightly damaged for a better one … oh well! Probably damaged from a buffaloing arrest. It’s truly an “if only it could speak” Colt!

—Ron Bellville

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.