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LOT 145
Exceptional Documented One of the Last Pre-World War II Shipped Colt First Generation
Single Action Army Revolver in Scarce .44 Special with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter
- Serial no. 357858, 44 special cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. This is a very
special Colt Single Action Army Revolver. Its high condition alone makes it worthy of the most
advanced collection, but its standing in the Colt legacy makes it a must have historical piece
for any serious collector. This revolver no. 357858 is one digit away from the highest recorded
numbered Single Action Army (no. 357859) included in a pre-World War II shipment (see John
Parsons’ “The Peacemaker and Its Rivals”, page 87). After the war, Colt assembled 338 SAAs
using pre-war manufactured parts and these revolvers are referred to as Pre-War/Post-War by
collectors. Colt’s Single Action Army Revolver marked the longest continuous assembly run of
any revolver in history.
The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold to Shapleigh Hardware Co. of St.
Louis, Missouri and shipped to Klein’s Sporting Goods of Chicago, Illinois, on December 30, 1940,
with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .44 Special, nickel finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a single
gun shipment. The letter surmised that the serial number on the trigger guard and back strap
were stamped over at the factory. 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). Consignor records note that out of the 506 first gens manufactured in
.44 special, only 50 left the factory with a 4 3/4 inch barrel. 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. Matching serial numbers appear on the
frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Matching assembly number appear on the loading gate
and rear of the frame. The frame has the two-line patent dates followed by a Rampant Colt.
The left side of the trigger guard has the number “4” above the Colt factory triangle proof. The
revolver wears a set of Rampant Colt medallion pearl grips. Brig Pemberton purchased this
revolver from Eric Vaule in 1964.
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