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LOT 1166
Exceptionally Fine Documented Colt
First Generation Single Action Army
Revolver in Very Scarce Dual Caliber
.44 Russian/.44 S&W Special with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 353102, 44 Russian S&W special cal.,
7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. While Colt Single Action Army revolvers were often chambered for the
same cartridges as Winchester’s popular repeaters, they were not commonly
chambered for cartridges by Smith & Wesson, their main competitors in the handgun market. This revolver is
one of the exceptions, and a year prior to when this revolver shipped, Colt began switching to marking these revolvers “44 SPECIAL” which removed any mention of Smith & Wesson. It is one of only an estimated 506 Single
Action Army revolvers manufactured for .44 S&W Special per “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army” by David M. Brown. Manufactured in 1931, the included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the rare
caliber (grips not listed), as well as shipment to Lou J. Eppinger Co. in Detroit, Michigan, maker’s of the famous “Dardevle” fishing lure, on 17 June 1931. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard single-line address while the rare “RUSSIAN AND/S&W
SPECIAL” followed by “44” marking is on the left. The standard two-line patent date marking and Rampant Colt are on the left of the frame, and “1/VP” is marked on the left of the trigger guard. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame and the right side of the grip straps, as well as faintly hand marked inside each
grip panel. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% of the bright, original, high polish blue finish and 95% plus of the vibrant original case colors with some light wear near the muzzle and thinning on the grip straps, and a few scattered light rub spots. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptionally fine Colt Single Action Army revolver in a very scarce caliber! Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 1167
Outstanding Antique Colt Etched Panel “Sheriff’s” Model 1877 Thunderer Ejectorless Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 28688, 41 Long Colt cal., 3 1/2
inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. Though the nicknames “Rainmaker”, “Lightning”, and “Thunderer” are all excellent marketing material, they were not names
ever actually used by Colt. These nicknames are believed to have been coined by the famous Colt distributor, Benjamin Kittredge, who is also believed to have been responsible for giving the Single
Action Army its iconic nickname, “Peacemaker”. Manufactured in 1881, the barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and “COLT. D.A. 41” in an acid etched panel on the left side. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking and “41CAL” is on the left rear of the trigger guard.
The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and rear of the cylinder (“688”), and the assembly number “610” is marked inside the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight,
frame top groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original nickel finish and 95% plus of the original nitre blue with some scattered light handling marks and a crisp acid etched panel. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. It would be difficult to find a better Colt Model 1877 DA Thunderer revolver in the “sheriff’s” configuration! Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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