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The silver plating and relief carved steer head grip are rare factory special order features. Factory silver plating and engraving is without a doubt an extremely rare combination, and the addition of the special steer head carving on the right grip makes this an exceptionally rare pair. Full factory silver plating is one of the scarcest finishes for first generation Colt SAAs. In the 1-164100 serial number range, for instance, only two factory engraved .44-40 WCF SAA with a 4 3⁄4 inch barrel and silver finish are reported to have been manufactured (see “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895”). Although this pair falls outside the serial number range of this study, the stat speaks
to the rarity of the configuration. Each revolver has matching respective serial numbers on the frame, both grip straps under the right grip panel, and back of both grip panels, and matching respective assembly numbers on the loading gate and rear of the frame. The barrels carry the two-line Hartford address on top and the iconic “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .44-40” marking on the left side. The left side of the frames have the two-line patent dates marking. The left side of each trigger guard has the number “3” over the Colt triangle factory proof. The revolvers wear a set of factory silver Rampant Colt
medallion grips featuring a relief
carved steer head on the right panel.
Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson
has noted that only “a few” SAAs had
factory hand carved steer head motif grips.
Similarly decorated deluxe .45 caliber SAAs (nos. 328849 and 309543) were owned by Zack and Joe Miller (see “Famous Guns and Gunners,” pages 58-60). Each of the Miller guns were fully engraved, sported full silver finish, and wore steer head carved pearl grips. Other included items associated with this historic pair: 101 Ranch letterhead, 101 Ranch $10 bill, 101 Ranch $5 bill, Pawnee Bill’s Wild West shot souvenir playing card, 101 Ranch touring schedule (date unknown), and Collings and England’s “The 101 Ranch.”
This beautiful pair checks off all the boxes desired
by collectors. The set is in incredibly high condition, features wonderful factory engraving, features special order factory silver plated finish, fitted with special order factory relief carved steer head grips, and attributed to the famed 101 Ranch. All together this is an incredible Colt rarity that is as good as a collector can hope
to encounter.
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