Designating the firearm Navy or Army had nothing to do with the military branch using the revolver. Colt also designed an Army model in 1860. Some 215,000 examples were produced in the United States, turning it into Colt's first real financial success.Ĭolt called it the Ranger model during the design phase, but the Navy designation quickly gained popularity. The Colt 1851 Navy Revolver is a perfect symbol of Samuel Colt's genius. During this remarkable era, Colt designed some of the most fascinating and famous firearms known to man. He had a passion for firearms like no other. Samuel Colt was at the helm, and his crew was the best at sea. Firearm technology was a swiftly-moving ship in some extremely rough waters. Thanks for reading!Īnd this article Discoverthedinosaurs.The late 1840s was a great time in American history. Conclusionīy following these simple steps, you can easily determine the history of your Colt firearm. The serial number is located on the left side of the weapon near the muzzle. The serial number should be in sequential order, starting with the number “1.” 5. The serial number is located on the left side of the slide on a small white or black tag. Serial numbers are typically stamped on the barrel or frame near the trigger guard. In order to determine the year of manufacture for your Colt SAA, you will need to look at the serial number. What year was my Colt Single Action Army?Ĭolt Single Action Army firearms were manufactured between 18. By understanding the various prefixes and suffixes used on Colt firearms. Guns with serial numbers that start with “D” or “E” likely originated from later periods, while those with serial numbers starting with “F” or “G” were manufactured in very limited quantities.

However, by understanding the basics of how serial numbers work, it is possible to gain a great deal of insight into a particular gun’s history and origin.įor example, if you know that a gun has a serial number that starts with “C,” it likely indicates that it was manufactured in the early years of Colt’s production. Can you tell what a gun is by the serial number?Ĭolt firearms are known for their high quality and durability, which is why they often have serial numbers that are difficult to read. The first two digits represent the year of manufacture, with a range of 00-99 the next three digits represent the month of manufacture, with a range of 01-12 and the last two digits represent the day of manufacture, with a range of 01-31. Colt serial numbers are typically printed on the barrel or frame of a firearm, near the trigger guard. They have been manufactured since 1836, and their serial numbers can provide valuable information about the firearm’s history and use. What does Colt serial number mean?Ĭolt firearms are some of the most recognizable firearms in the world. Colt serial number format F.A.Q colt serial number lookup: 1.

Colt gun values by serial number