Colt Model 1873 Single Action Army, First Generation Black Powder Frame, .45 Colt, 4.75 Inch Barrel, 1880 Antique
This is an early First Generation Colt Single Action Army with a black-powder-frame, manufactured in 1880 in .45 Colt with the desirable 4.75 inch barrel. It features the screw-retained cylinder base pin, a six-shot fluted cylinder, fixed sights, and later-pattern molded black hard‑rubber grips with a Rampant Colt oval motif (a style introduced after 1880).
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Condition: Poor - Noticeable dirt, stains, significant corrosion or damage.
Bore Fouling: Moderate Fouling - Lead or copper fouling with noticeable buildup.
Rifling: Poor Rifling - Rifling heavily worn or filled with fouling or debris.
Specific Condition Notes: The threaded portion used to attach the ejector-rod housing is damaged. Correcting this would require significant work or machining, if feasible. There is very deep pitting throughout, with heavy pitting in the bore. This revolver is not recommended for firing. It is offered as a gunsmith special and sold as is.
What’s Included
- (2) Colt SAA ejector-rod housings (detached)
- (2) Colt SAA ejector rods (detached)
- (1) Colt SAA ejector-rod spring (detached)
This First Generation SAA is a black-powder-frame example with the screw-retained cylinder base pin, aligning with 1880 production features. The metal surfaces present a gray-brown patina with oxidation and pitting; any original bluing on the barrel, cylinder, ejector housing, and grip frame and any case colors on the frame have largely worn away. As originally produced, these revolvers left the factory with a color case hardened frame paired with blued components.
Chambered in .45 Colt with a 4.75 inch barrel, it uses fixed sights consisting of a blade front and an integral top-strap notch rear. The six-shot fluted cylinder carries standard stop notches, and the grip frame is the classic plow-handle profile.
Markings include the three-line 1871/72/75 patent legend on the left side of the frame. The revolver is a civilian configuration with no lanyard ring observed.
Later Colt molded black hard‑rubber grips with a Rampant Colt oval motif are present; this pattern postdates 1880 and is not period-correct for an 1880 example. Two ejector-rod housings, two ejector rods, and one spring are included separately.