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126
LOT 1138
Extremely Rare Well-
Documented Colt Single
Action Army Flattop
Target Model Revolver in
.44 Smith & Wesson with
Special Extra Long Grips
and Factory Letter - Serial no.
127821, 44 S&W cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, hard rubber grips. The included factory letter confirms this incredibly
rare Colt Single Action Army Target Model revolver in .44 S&W with a 7 1/2 inch
barrel, blue finish, and extra long grips and indicates it was the sole gun of this
type in a shipment to C.H. Gans on October 18, 1890. The revolver is illustrated on
page 394 of “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-
1895” by the Wilkersons and Hoyt where the grips are incorrectly listed as ebony.
It is one of only approximately 925 Flattop Target Model Single Action Army
revolvers, one of only 106 in .44 Smith & Wesson, one of 80 in .44 S&W with a 7
1/2 inch barrel and blue finish, and one of the very few Colt Single Action Army
Target Model revolvers to feature the distinctive extra long grips. In his included
assessment R.L. Wilson notes “One of the most sought after, rare and desirable of
Colt Single Action Army Model revolvers is the Flattop Target Model, with special
factory-produced long Target grips. Only a handful of these arms were made, and
only a few of these are currently known to collectors.” This special grip variation
is accomplished by using the standard grip frame but with elongated grips and a
spacer at the butt. The revolver features a pinned bead style German silver front
sight, the one-line address on top of the barrel, “44-S & W.” on the left side
of the barrel at the breech, the distinctive flat top frame with adjustable notch rear
sight, the three-line patent marking on the left side of the frame, “44 CAL” on the
left side of the trigger guard, the matching serial number marked on the frame
and trigger guard as well as on the back strap at the toe under the grips, and the
matching partial serial number “7821” marked on the insider of each grip and the
butt spacer. The assembly number “3” is marked on the loading gate.
While Gans’ address is not listed in the letter, Major Charles H. Gans of New
York was an award winning marksman who won the 1,000 yard match for the
Wimbledon Cup in both 1889 and 1890. Per the Annual Report of the New York
Adjutant-General in 1902, Gans served as a Private in the 91st N. Y. Vols. from
August 31, 1864, until discharged on May 10, 1865. He later served as a Private
in Co. H of the 10th Regt. from Oct. 30, 1880, until the unit disbanded on March
7, 1881. He then served as a Private in Co. D of the 10th Battalion from May 29,
1882, until discharged on March 1, 1883, and was again listed as a Private in Co. D
of the 10th Battalion on June 1, 1883. He became Inspector of Rifle Practice with
the grade of First Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion on Oct. 23, 1883, and Inspector
of Rifle Practice with the grade of Major in the 3rd Brigade on Sept. 10, 1886, and
Assistant General Inspector of Rifle Practice for the State of New York with the
grade of Colonel from August 1, 1898, until his resignation on Jan. 19, 1899, to
return to staff of 3rd Brigade as Inspector of Small Arms Practice and Ordnance
Officer with his original rank. He is also noted as a Brevet Colonel as of December
11, 1901.
According to "The 36
Calibers of the Colt Single
Action Army" by Brown,
of the 925 Colt Single
Action Army Flattop Target
revolvers produced, only 80
were chambered in .44 S&W.