Brass grip frame on Colt SAA 1873 .45? Not the replicas.

[.45Coltguy]

I'm sure they didn't have those, But I'd like to be sure. Don't what generation my friend believes he's looking at. But, I don't think it'a A real Colt.
Perhaps Driftwood Johnson can shed some light. Or, anyone who may know. Thanks guys.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Well, since you asked, I consider myself to be pretty knowledgeable about Colt Single Action Army revolvers.

The answer is no, Colt never used brass grip frames or trigger guards on the Single Action Army.

In Cap & Ball days it was a different story. This little Colt 1849 Pocket Model has a brass back strap and trigger guard.

This Pietta replica of the 1860 Colt Army has a steel back strap and brass trigger guard.

This original Colt Richards Conversion has a steel back strap and brass trigger guard because this model used parts from the 1860 Colt Army.

But to the best of my knowledge, Colt never used brass for the back strap and/or trigger guard on the Single Action Army. This is the oldest Colt SAA in my collection, a 1st Gen 38-40 Bisley model that left the factory in 1907. Granted, it does not go all the way back to 1873, when the Army first started buying Colts, but I am relatively sure Colt never used brass for those parts with the SAA.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Thanks DJ. I was pretty certain myself. I appreciate your response and I'll let my buddy know he is not looking at the real deal. Thanks again.

 

[LonesomePigeon]

It's possible to fit an original 1851 Navy brass trigger guard and/or backstrap to an original Colt SAA. It was not done by Colt but could have been done by a user or more likely by gun shops with tons of parts in the 20th Century when these guns weren't worth as much.