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LOT 147
Rare Documented Winchester Repeating Arms Company Shipped .45 Boxer Caliber Silver Plated Pre-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver with
Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 342007, 45 Boxer Long cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., silver finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1921, this Single
Action Army is chambered .45 Boxer, a desirable caliber that has bemused Colt collectors for decades. In “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army
Revolver 1872-1895” on page 46 the authors write, “An interesting fact became evident when comparing listings in the Colt ledgers with copies of the actual
invoices found in the Connecticut State Library. The designation ‘Eley’ or ‘Boxer’ was used interchangeably. Revolvers listed in .45 Eley in the record ledger
may be listed on the shipping invoice as .45 Boxer and vice versa.” The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and no caliber designation on the left
side. The left side of the frame is marked with the two-line, three patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is marked on the
rear face of cylinder (important) and on the bottom of the frame and on the left side of the grip straps under the grip. Matching assembly number (525)
on the loading gate and right rear of the frame. Blade front and frame notch rear sights, silver finish with niter blue screw heads and small parts,
and fitted with pearl grips with Colt medallions. The grip straps are non-factory textured. The accompanying factory letter verifies “45
Long Boxer” caliber, silver plated finish, barrel length, pearl grips and that it was shipped as 1 of 2 to Winchester Repeating Arms
Co., New Haven, Conn. On April 5, 1921. During the period the large manufacturers, including Colt and Winchester, often
ordered arms from the other companies to supply their preferred large retailers and distributors in an effort to be
their sole supplier, with this revolver likely an example of that.
CONDITION: Fine with 98% of the attractive period replated tarnished silver
finish. Much of the niter blue finish remains on the small parts. The pearl
grips are also fine with a small chip present on the left heel. The markings
are clear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000