The .44 Colt was an American centerfire revolver cartridge produced commercially from 1871 until the 1940s. The cartridge was developed for the United States Army, and introduced by Colt's Patent Firearms around 1871. The Army used it until 1873, at which time it was replaced by the better known .45 Long Colt cartridge used in the recently adopted Colt Single Action Army revolver. The original .44 Colt loading used an outside lubricated bullet. Benet cup and Martin-type primers were later replaced by more reliable Boxer type primers.