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As for this SAA, John T. Cleveland’s sub-inspector initials “JTC” has taken place
of the frame serial number. Thus, “JTC” is the serial number of the gun and
makes for a highly personalized marking as it is struck with Cleveland’s own
sub-inspector stamp. The no. “884” is stamped on the trigger guard, back strap,
barrel, and cylinder. The number “884” falls into the .44 rimfire serial number
range for 1877 production, with this example having been factory converted to
.44 centerfire. The 1877 production date is significant. It seems only fitting that
Colt presented this very personalized SAA to Cleveland upon his leaving of the
factory that same year. By 1877, Colt was busily rushing Cavalry Models based
on its now famed single action design to the U.S. Government. In the hands of
ranchers, cavalrymen, lawmen and outlaws, the SAA’s legacy was forged out in
the hostile American West to become the most iconic American handgun ever
built, and as a U.S. sub-inspector at the Colt plant, Cleveland played no small role
in the SAA’s enduring legacy. The revolver is factory chambered in .44 Russian.
The hammer is in standard Colt centerfire configuration and is casehardened.
The barrel carries the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame
has the two-line, two patent date information. The left side of the trigger
guard has “44 CAL” stamped over a faint “22” marking. The caliber marking is
certainly factory. The grips are the civilian style with factory applied varnish and
numbered “884” in the back strap channel. The superb high luster blue finish on
the metal surfaces is of presentation quality.
The ownership history of this revolver is intriguing as well. As Brigg Pemberton
put it, “I first saw this outstanding Single Action at the Higgins Armory in
Worcester, Mass. in 1964 or 65. Johnathan Peck had it on display. I was totally
taken by it. I went looking for Jon’s dealer, when I found him, I made it clear that
I wanted the gun. He said he doubted if Jon would ever part with it. In January
of 1966 the dealer showed Jon a Winchester Rifle. Jon decided that he had to
have it. Somehow in this transaction the Single Action ended up in the dealer’s
hands. He called and told me that he had it for me. The gun was found by Bill
Egan in a Hartford pawn shop. Bill then sold it to Jonathan Peck.”
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus bright original high polish blue finish
with flaking visible mostly on the barrel, light cylinder drag lines, and some high
edge wear. The frame and hammer retain 97% plus vivid original case colors.
The grip is also excellent with some scattered minor handling marks and nearly
all of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. A superb and truly
unique example of a black powder Colt Single Action Army revolver with a
highly personalized presentation serial number gifted to one of the U.S. sub-
inspectors of the Cavalry Model contract. Its high condition, rare configuration,
and presentation status put it, as R.L. Wilson proclaimed, “in a class unto itself.”
Provenance: Bill Eagan; The Johnathan Peck Collection; The Brig & Louise
Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 150,000 - 275,000
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