Colt London Agency SAA Description

as with percussion revolvers and derringers, Colt shipped Single Action Army revolvers to England for sale through its London Agency. John Kopec, co-author of A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, estimates that 18% of production during the first 2 1/2 years went to England. These early guns were marked with the standard Hartford address, and most were chambered in either .450 Eley or Boxer caliber, with a 7 1/2 or 5 1/2 in. barrel. A small number were shipped with 4 3/4 in. barrels in May of 1877. According to Kenneth Moore, author of Single Action Army Revolvers and the London Agency, and co-author of A Study of the Colt SAA Revolver, Baron Von Oppen, head of Colt's London Agency, requested in Oct. 1875 that Colt change the barrel address to "14 PALL MALL, LONDON" only, in an effort to increase his sales and to prevent English customers from ordering direct from Hartford. Colt complied and sent 150 revolvers with the new barrel address in early 1876. This created a problem with English customs officials, since the guns were not made in England, they could not be marked "LONDON" only, and would not pass inspection. The London address could not be used. It is believed by Moore that these 150 Colt SAAs were the only ones marked with the London barrel address. By Jan. 1877, a compromise was reached and English customs authorized the use of the dual Hartford/London address to read "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT USA DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON". The London proofed SAAs were usually stamped at the bottom of the barrel, and in each flute of the cylinder, and had a high quality nickel or blue finish with case hardened frame, although some all blue examples are known. Through 1890, several thousand SAAs were sold through the London Agency.