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LOT 3179
Antique Colt Black Powder
Single Action Army
Revolver with Attractive Relief Carved
Mexican Eagle Pearl Grip and Factory Letter
- Serial no. 27128, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, pearl grips. The Colt Single Action Army Revolver is arguably the most iconic American handgun. In the hands of ranchers, cavalrymen,
lawmen and outlaws, the Peacemaker’s legacy was forged out in the hostile
American West and continues to gain popularity among today’s collectors. The accompanying
factory letter state the revolver was chambered in .45 caliber with blue finish when shipped to
Spies, Kissam & Co. of New York City on October 9, 1876. The barrel length and type of stocks were not listed, a
common indication of 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks. This was a fifty gun shipment. Spies, Kissam & Co. was originally located at 16 Cortlandt St. in New York and moved to the 279 Broadway address in 1871. The New York dealer operated for many
years and played an important role in the financial success of Colt. A.W. Spies appears in Colt factory shipping ledgers as far back as the Civil War and was considered by Samuel Colt as one of his “allies.” The right side of the grip has a relief carved Mexican eagle, suggesting that
this SAA served time along the U.S./Mexico border. A lanyard ring has been added to the butt. The nickel plating, lanyard ring and carved pearl grip were likely supplied by the famed New York retailer. In September 2021, Rock Island Auction Co. sold another SAA in the same October 9, 1876 shipment
delivered to Spies, Kissam & Co. (lot 3276) and this revolver also had a period retailer nickel finish. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address. The frame has the two-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is stamped “45 CAL.” Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the
frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Fine, displaying “working gun” character associated with a revolver that spent years in a challenging environment such as the U.S./Mexico
border with 80% period retailer applied nickel finish remaining. 60% of the original case colors remain on the hammer. The fine grips have a similar
“working gun” appearance with filled and absent chips. The carving is crisp. Mechanically excellent. A documented Spies, Kissam & Co. shipped SAA with period retailer upgrades.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3180
Documented Factory “Soft”
Shipped Hartley & Graham Engraved Colt Black Powder Single Action Army
Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 68639, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as one of 25 guns of this
type in a shipment to Hartley & Graham in New York City on April 1, 1881 in .45 caliber with “Soft” finish, and barrel length and type of stock not listed, a common indication of 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks as these features were
standard at this time. The remarks state, “The work ‘soft’ which appears with the finish indicates subject revolver was shipped without finial finishing for engraving outside our factory.” The lower section of the frame has classic New York style floral scrollwork
on punch dot background along with L.D. Nimschke’s characteristic kidney motif around the hammer screw. The remainder of the frame is decorated with zig-zag line and dot patterns which continue on to the barrel, cylinder, and back strap. The
barrel has the one-line Hartford address, the frame has the three-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked “45 CAL.” The matching serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard,
and back strap.
CONDITION: Fine as a Colt factory “soft” shipped SAA period retailer engraved by Hartley & Graham. The
frame, hammer, ejector rod housing, and trigger guard retain 70% of the period retailer nickel, otherwise the revolver has smooth gray patina and some pitting associated with a well traveled sidearm spending a lifetime in a challenging environment, proving that not all art hangs on the wall. The replacement barrel was engraved to match. The engraving is crisp. The slightly shrunken period grip is fine with some minor handling marks and typical age lines. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000