The Colt Single Action Army Revolver was first introduced to U.S. Troops in July of 1873 as a replacement for sidearm for the older 1860 percussion cap revolver. The Single Action Army was immediately popular among the soldiers that used them, who valued their formidable stopping power, high accuracy, and easy to maintain construction. These revolvers quickly found their way into the hands of civilians, lawmen, and outlaws alike who recognized the Single Action Army’s superior design. One of the more unusual variations of the Single Action Army was known as the "Buntline Special." These Single Action Army's had a much longer barrel than the standard models and were given target sights for enhanced accuracy. 31 of these unusual pistols were manufactured at the request of Ned Buntline, a popular dime novelist at the time, who then gifted them to Wild West Celebrities including Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson