Make: Colt

Model: 1873 Cavalry Model Single Action Army

Serial Number: 133583

Year of Manufacture: 1890

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading-Gate

Barrel Length: 7 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. The bottom of the grip has R.A.C. inspection mark, but no date cartouche or serial marking, likely a field replacement. The grip has some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Most remaining finish is Original, the barrel has a couple of touch-ups and the grip frame shows treatment with cold blue. Numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is some scattered light erosion, infrequent minor pitting, and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 65% of its metal finish. There is finish wear at leading edges and around the outside of the cylinder consistent with holster use. The barrel and ejector housing have generally strong blue finish with a couple of spots of touch-up on the bottom of the barrel. The frame retains some good case color with some areas muted and some minor surface oxidation. The cylinder retains strong finish in the flutes, on the front and rear faces, with the outside mostly going to a light patina. The grip frame has infrequent original finish with most areas showing wear treated with cold blue. There are some light nicks and small scratches. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter and an authentication letter from Charles B. Layson. The Archives letter indicates that this revolver was delivered June 16, 1890 to the U.S. Government Inspector located at the Colt plant as one of 150 guns of the same type in the delivery.

Our Assessment: Colt’s Single Action Army is, perhaps more than any other, an iconic American pistol. It was the U.S. issue sidearm for the last two decades of the 19th century, used by pioneers, outlaws and lawmen across the expanding nation, captivated audiences on the silver screen and television, and still does, today.

This example is a Model 1873 Cavalry delivered in 1890 issued toward the end of the Indian Wars period. It is possible it even saw service in the Spanish-American war but was spared from the modification program at the turn of the century. It is a fine specimen from the Rinaldo A. Carr inspection period with serial-matching parts and the majority of its original finish remaining. The grip appears to be a field replacement, marked with R.A.C. on the bottom but without a serial marking or acceptance year cartouche. It comes from a small group of revolvers from 1890-1891 which bear a small "K" Colt inspector's mark on the front of the ejector housing, the trigger guard and backstrap. The revolver retains surprisingly strong mechanics and a more than decent bore for a revolver that would have seen use with black powder more than 135 years ago. In all, this is a wonderful example of a Model 1873 Cavalry revolver, perfect for adding to your Colt or US Military small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!