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LOT 3132
Highly Desirable Colt Black Powder Single Action Army Revolver with Incredibly Rare Attachable Skeleton Stock and Factory Letter - Serial no. 22499, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. This black powder frame SAA was manufactured in 1876 and comes with a highly sought after and rare Colt production skeletonized stock. The nearly impossible to find skeleton stock is a prized collectible missing from even the most advanced SAA collections. The stock attaches to the revolver via a special extended hammer screw projecting from both sides of the frame. These rare stocks were offered as accessories and there are no known records for how many, if any, were sold directly with Single Action Army Revolvers, other than Buntline Specials. Knowledgeable collectors have concluded that a limited number were produced. Records and examples discussed in “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolvers” (see pages 8, 12, and 50) demonstrate that these stocks were particularly popular in England. Two lengths of the skeletonized stock as well as additional extended frame screws were shipped to Colt’s dealers in England in the mid-1870s. The attachable stock offered here lacks visible markings and has a nickel plated finish and a blued adjustment nut. The skeleton shoulder stock was introduced in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and an example was included on the Colt-Hartley & Graham display board of 1877. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on February 28, 1876 to J.P. Moores Sons of New York City in .45 caliber chambering and blue finish with barrel length and type of stocks not listed, a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks which were standard for the period. This shipment was for 50 guns. The letter goes on to state, “The records also contain a second listing for this serial number that indicates the same configuration with shipment to Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven, Connecticut on June 1, 1878.” This specific example was actually shipped to Winchester, as documented in the factory letter, furthering its desirability. During the period the large manufacturers, including Colt and Winchester, often ordered arms from the other to supply their preferred large retailers and distributors in an effort to be their sole supplier, with this revolver likely an example of that. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped with the caliber designation: “45 CAL.” The ejector rod has a bull’s eye head. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, barrel, and cylinder. The loading gate has the assembly number “1629.” CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% period Colt retailer applied nickel plating with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The slightly age shrunken grip is very fine with minor handling marks and highly attractive colors. Mechanically fine. The stock is excellent retaining 95% plus original nickel plating and some scratches. These attachable skeleton stocks are rarely encountered and are an essential accessory to any SAA collection. This antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver with rare attachable skeleton stock will be a prized addition to even the most advanced public or private collections. Provenance: The TTT Collection. Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000