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LOT 144
Excellent and Highly Desirable First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver in Very Scarce
.44 Special with Original Matching Box with “S.&W. Cartridge.” End Label - Serial no. 354743, 44
special cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This pre-World War II
Colt SAA is chambered in highly sought after .44 Special and was manufactured in 1932. Per Colt
expert and author David Brown, only 506 standard First Generation SAAs were chambered in .44
Special (see “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” page 100). The barrel has the correct
markings for a .44 Special SAA manufactured after 1931: the two-line Hartford address on top and
“COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44 SPECIAL” on the left side. The left side of the frame carries the two-
line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The matching full serial number appears on
the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and both grip panels. The matching assembly number “426”
appears on the loading gate and rear of the frame. The original Colt factory box is numbered to the
gun. Besides the serial number, the underside of the box is hand marked “Fo 5306/Job12159.” The
box has the standard Colt end label confirming the barrel length, caliber, finish, and grip material
along with a second end label for caliber (“S.&W. CARTRIDGE.”). The original test target numbered to
the gun and “Special Instructions” are also included.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue and vivid casehardened finishes with extremely
light edge wear and a faint cylinder drag line. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. The box is excellent. An outstanding First Generation Colt SAA revolver in very scarce and highly
desirable .44 Special with rare original box!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 22,500 - 37,500
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