1873 Cattleman

The Colt 1873 Single Action Army, one of the most famous firearms of all times, was introduced in 1872 to provide the U.S. Army with a new robust metallic-cartridge revolver, replacing the many open top cartridge conversions revolvers.

Officially adopted in 1873, it became the quintessential firearm of the American West. The original First Generation Colt production ran from 1873 to 1941, totaling approximately 357,859 units, with Second and Third Generations following in the second half of the twentieth century, and a limited Colt production still available today.

Original Colt production apart, fact is that during the last sixty years the “Cattleman”, the Uberti replicas of the 1873 Single Action model have been by far the most popular in the hands of enthusiasts and shooters all over the world: thanks also to a strong presence in 95% of all Western films and television productions since its first introduction in 1966.

Both the Colt original and the Uberti replica share a rugged single-action mechanism. Though produced in over thirty calibers, the .45 Colt remains the most iconic. 

For military service, the revolver typically featured a 7.5-inch barrel, while 5.5-inch and 4.75-inch lengths dominated the civilian market. Its military career was extensive, serving as the primary sidearm for Cavalry units during the Indian Wars and remaining in use through the Spanish-American War until the 1911 semi-automatic was adopted.

Today, shooters prize the Uberti Cattleman for its historical prestige and perfect ergonomic balance. However, a primary "con" of the original 1873 design was the lack of a modern safety system: because of this, in the Old West, users typically carried only five rounds, leaving an empty chamber under the hammer to prevent accidental discharges if the gun was dropped.

In the world of single-action mechanics, the distinct "4 clicks" of a cocking hammer signify a "Colt original" but also indicate an "unsafe" carry condition by modern standards. Consequently, modern Uberti replicas sacrifice “1 click” in favor of an automatic hammer safety. This modification preserves the classic aesthetic and handling of the 1873 model while providing the essential security required by contemporary shooters.