Page 126 - 4092-BOOK3-FLIPBOOK

LOT 3130
Magnificent Well-Documented Presentation Pre-War/Post-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Original Box, Factory Letter, and John Kopec Letter - Serial no. 357411, 38 Special cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Colt “Pre- War/Post-War” Single Action Army revolvers are highly prized among collectors. In 1948, this exceptional example was presented by Colt Vice President Benjamin Conner to a U.S. Ordnance Department official. According to “Colt’s Single Action Army Revolver Pre-War/Post-War Model” by Don Wilkerson, there were only 338 pre-World War II manufactured Colt Single Action revolvers assembled after World War II, which comprise the group of revolvers referred to as Pre-War/Post-War by collectors (page 19). This revolver is one of only 162 produced in this configuration and one of only 41 Pre-War/Post-War Models presented or gifted by the Colt factory in 1948 (page 35). The revolver is well documented as one of two SAAs Colt Vice President Benjamin Conner presented to two U.S. Ordnance Department officials. See the following lot for the other revolver. The factory letter confirms the revolver was charged to “Arms Selling Expense”, delivered to Vice President Benjamin Conner at the Hartford factory, and was for U.S. Ordnance Department officials Major Forsythe or William Bonkmeyer. This was a two gun shipment dated May 26, 1948 with the revolver configuration listed as a 5 1⁄2 inch barrel in .38 caliber with finish and type of stocks not listed. Additional confirmation comes from the included scan of the original stock order for both guns. This stock order also confirms the barrel length, caliber, and charge to Arms Selling Expense as well as Major Forsythe and Mr. William Bonkmeyer of the Ordnance Department as the recipients of the two SAAs.
In his accompanying 1978 dated letter (copy) noted Colt historian and author John Kopec
provided additional details concerning the two SAAs: “The revolver #357,605 was given to William Bonkmeyer (sic) and #357,411 was presented to Major Forsythe...They are indeed a very interesting and significant pair...” These two SAAs are referenced in “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” on page 189. This Pre-War/Post War SAA is certainly a well-documented piece of Colt history and a rare opportunity to acquire two historical presentation Colts on the same factory order! The barrel is marked with the one-line Hartford address on top and “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 38 SPECIAL” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory triangle proof and “F,” indicating it was assembled by Colt Master Gunsmith Harry St. John. The matching assembly number “161” appears on the loading gate and rear of the frame. The matching full serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and both grip panels. The matching partial serial number “11” is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. The original Colt box is numbered to the gun. Also includes a bore brush. CONDITION: Excellent plus, retaining 99% plus original blue and vivid case colors with very limited handling marks. The grips are near new with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine. An, outstanding, highly sought after, well-documented presentation Pre-War/Post War Colt SAA worthy of the finest collection Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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Collector’s Fact
According to "Colt's Single Action Army Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model" by Don Wilkerson, of the 331 Pre-War Post-War Colt Single Actions produced, only 162 were in the configuration for both of these revolvers (chart page 101).