This is a solid representative example of a seldom encountered Colt .44 Rimfire Single Action Army revolver manufactured circa 1876. Colt manufactured approximately 1,863 Single Action Army revolvers chambered for the .44 Rimfire cartridge between 1875 and 1880. Unaltered .44 Rimfire Colt Single Action Army revolvers (like this example) are rare and very desirable. This revolver retains the undersize, possibly replaced 7 1/2 inch barrel with matching serial number. The barrel has the early style ejector housing with barrel boss and bullseye ejector rod head. The frame has the distinctive rimfire hammer slot and the hammer has the flat rimfire firing pin attached by two rivets. The revolver retains the original one-piece walnut grip. The barrel has the early slanted italics legend: "+ COLT'S P.T. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+" with slanted crosses at either end of the marking. The left side of the frame has the early Colt 'Two-Date/Two-Line' patent markings. The serial number "304" is stamped on the underside of the barrel beneath the ejector housing, on the side of the cylinder and on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match. The left shoulder of the trigger guard is stamped "44 CAL". The assembly number "441" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. A Colt "C" inspection mark is stamped on the inside of the hammer well, under the ejector housing and on the rear face of the cylinder. The .44 Rimfire cartridge was obsolete when the .44 Rimfire Single Action Army revolver was introduced in 1875. As a result, most .44 Rimfire Single Actions were exported to Mexico and Central or South America where they saw hard use and were frequently modified. Made in only limited quantities, unaltered .44 Rimfire Single Action revolvers are very scarce in original, unaltered condition.

Good. The revolver is mostly original and has not been modified in any way. The metal surfaces have an untouched silver-gray patina with patches of surface discoloration and scattered light pitting. There are traces of original blue present on and around the trigger guard. The grip shows moderate wear with rounded edges and a few old scratches. The serial numbers and markings are clear. The action remains tight and functions well. This is a solid example of a complete and original Colt .44 Rimfire Single Action revolver that is hard to find in complete, unaltered condition.