Colt introduced the .41 Colt caliber to its famed Single Action Army revolver line in 1885. Colt author David Brown passionately summarized the .41 Colt caliber's alluring image as: "The .41s were favorites in the West among men who wanted something a bit less husky than the .45 or the .44-40, yet something still dependable for man-stopping power at short ranges. The lawmen for the most part, clung to the bigger bores; but several famous outlaws are known to have liked the .41 Colts" (see "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army," p. 146). Among First Generation Single Action Army revolvers, only 16,402 left the factory chambered for .41 Long Colt compared to 150,683 in .45 Colt, making it comparably scarce. The accompanying factory letter for this example states the revolver was shipped to E.C. Meacham Arms Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, on June 13, 1888, and confirms the 4 3/4 inch barrel in .41 caliber, desirable nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks. This was an eight gun shipment. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates. The left side of the trigger guard is marked "41 CAL." The revolver wears a set of hard rubber grips that are numbered to the gun ("4837"). Matching full serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Provenance: The TTT Collection

Excellent, retaining 95% plus original nickel finish with gray patina on the balance. Strong original niter blue remains on the screws and cylinder pin. The grips are also excellent with minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very impressive nickel plated antique Colt Single Action Army revolver.