In the 1870s, Colt needed a double-action revolver design to compete with many of the emerging double-action revolvers on the market, particularly a number of competitors in Great Britain.

The Colt Single Action Army revolver, introduced in 1873, became a symbol of power and American expansion, used by both outlaws and lawmen on the frontier. Witkoff says US ‘finally’ got answer ...

“I have no hesitation in declaring the Colt revolver superior in all aspects, and much better adapted to the wants of the Army than the Smith & Wesson.” Consequently, in 1872, the .45-ca ...