10/07/2026
Manufactured in 1901 by C**t's Patent Fi****ms Manufacturing Co. in Hartford, Connecticut, this .45-caliber Single Action Army re*olver (serial number 215196) originated during the closing years of the true American frontier. Decades later, during the golden age of television Westerns, the historic fi***rm found a second life in Hollywood when it entered the inventory of Stembridge G*n Rentals. Because C**t had temporarily halted production of the Single Action Army around World War II, authentic period sidearms were highly sought after as primary screen props for major studio productions.
The re*olver achieved legendary status when it was chosen as the main sidearm for actor James Arness in his career-defining role as Marshal Matt Dillon on CBS’s G*nsmoke (1955–1975). Carried across Dodge City over many of the series' 635 episodes, the fi***rm became a quintessential symbol of frontier law enforcement. To satisfy eagle-eyed viewers who criticized the look of plain stock grips early in the show's run, property masters upgraded the piece with distinctive faux-staghorn grips, giving the weapon its rugged, instantly recognizable aesthetic.
Today, this storied piece of television history is preserved on loan at the Cody Fi****ms Museum inside the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Bridging authentic 20th-century craftsmanship with television heritage, the re*olver stands as an enduring monument to the cinematic Western lawman.
What are your thoughts on James Arness's legacy as Marshal Matt Dillon and the history behind his iconic C**t .45 re*olver? Please share your views in the comments section below.
god bless
*nsmoke **tSingleActionArmy ****msMuseum
