Colt Single Action Army Revolver Cavalry Model
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Description
NOTE: this is an example of a previous customer restoration, and therefore the firearm is not for sale. Please browse the showroom for our current selection of restored, pre-owned and refinished firearms that are for sale, as well as other collections. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to be among the first to learn about new additions to our website.
Our featured restoration for May, 2025 is a Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model, manufactured in 1880 during the heart of U.S. military adoption. This revolver features the classic 7-1/2 inch barrel and “black powder frame,” distinguished by its lack of a cross-pin and instead utilizing a screw-retained cylinder base pin—a key feature in early SAA production before the transition to smokeless powder. Collectors will immediately recognize the hallmark inspector marks of Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark, whose “DFC” initials appear on several components, as well as the left-side grip cartouche bearing the initials of Captain David A. Lyle. The revolver also retains its original “US” and “P” marks, further affirming its military pedigree.
This SAA arrived with honest age and wear, but time had taken its toll on both the revolver’s function and its finish. Our 2024 restoration process began with precision corrective gunsmithing to ensure proper timing, lockup, and mechanical integrity—restoring it to reliable service condition without sacrificing historical accuracy. Great care was taken to preserve and reestablish original factory and inspection markings, including the all-important proof stamps and inspector cartouches.
From there, our finishing team applied historically faithful finishes using time-honored methods. The frame, loading gate, and hammer were color case hardened using our traditional bone charcoal process, producing the vivid hues and mottling expected on an original 1880s Cavalry Colt. The cylinder, barrel, trigger guard, backstrap, and small parts were treated with a deep, lustrous carbona charcoal blue finish, while the base pin, trigger, and screws were refinished with nitre blue for just the right period-correct accent. The new, one-piece walnut grips were properly stamped and finished in traditional military oil methods.
This 1880 Cavalry Model now stands as a textbook example of early military-contract Single Action Armies, brought back to life with a careful balance of restoration and reverence. This project serves as a showcase of both what the Colt factory once delivered—and what a faithful, museum-grade restoration can preserve for generations to come.
Additional Resources
Additional information
| Log Number | 38517 |
|---|---|
| Make | Colt |
| Model | SAA |
| Caliber | |
| Year of Manufacture | 1880 |
| Types |
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