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LOT 1121
Rare Colt Manager Albert Foster, Jr. Shipped Colt Single Action Army Flattop Target Model Revolver with Rare .44 Russian Caliber Marking and Factory Letter - Serial no. 156472, 44 Russian cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1894. It is one of only 925 Single Action Army Flattop Target Revolvers in all calibers Colt Manufactured between 1888 and 1896.
It is one of only 51 Flattop Target models chambered in .44 Russian, so surviving examples are scarce in any condition and are highly regarded and sought after by collectors. This is an exceptional example well deserving of the finest collection. Colt historian and author David Brown note the rarity of the caliber: “The .44 Russian cartridge had become popular in several competitive revolvers, so Colt made it also in the Single Action. They were not mass produced, were made on special orders only, so the caliber also is considered rare” (“The 36 Caliber of the Colt Single Action Army,” page 112). These Flattop Target revolvers predominantly fell into the serial number range of 127,000 to 163,000. Not only rare, these revolvers were a very attractive and well finished variation, finished in all high polished blue finish with a
casehardened hammer.
As for the revolver, the top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, the
left side of the barrel is marked “44 RUSSIAN CTG.,” and the two line, three patent dates on the lower left side of the frame followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The upper left front of the trigger guard bow is marked with the Colt “VP” triangle proof with a “W” on the rear. The matching serial number on the frame, trigger guard and back strap, and the loading gate is marked with the assembly number “15”. Front blade sight and standard dovetailed rear target sight. There is a non-factory drilled and tapped hole on the top and front straps. Fitted with checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt in an oval at the top.