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LOT 1144
Documented Early
Production London Agency
Cased Colt Single Action Army Flattop
London “Model of 1894” Target Model Revolver
in 450 Eley Caliber with Inscription and Factory
Letter, Pictured in “THE 36 CALIBER’S OF THE
COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY” - Serial no. 156475,
450 Eley cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard
rubber grips. Manufactured in 1894 the introduction
year of what Colt called the “Special Target”, “Model
of 1894” revolver. The Colt Single Action Army
Flattop revolver is one of the most highly sought
after models by Colt collectors. Colt only produced
925 Flattop Target Model SAA revolvers and only
manufactured 84 in the .450 Eley caliber, making
this Flattop Target Model very rare. The top of the
barrel is marked “COLT’ S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, the left side is marked “ 450 ELEY.” and
the two line, three patent dates are marked on the left side of the frame followed by the circled Rampant
Colt. The top strap is engraved “E.J. CHURCHILL/8 AGER ST STRAND. LONDON. WC./(No 567)”. E.J. Churchill
made high quality double barrel shotguns and wrote many books on shooting. British proofs are present
on the underside of the barrel ahead of the cylinder pin and similar markings are on the cylinder flutes. The
matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Removable
blade front sight and dovetailed “V” notch rear sight, checkered trigger, all blue finish with hammer
sides polished and fitted with checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt/American Eagle relief grips. The
accompanying factory letter to famous author/collector David M. Brown dated June 22, 1961 verifies the
.450 Eley caliber, barrel length, blue finish, rubber grips, “Target or flat top” frame and that it was shipped
as 1 of 18 to the Colt London Agency, London, England on May 28, 1894. The letter also states there regrets
for not knowing who “E. J. Churchill was. This exact Colt Flattop Target is photographed and described on
pages 40-43 of “THE 36 CALIBERS OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY” by David M. Brown. Complete in a
canvas covered hardcase with leather trim and dark red felt lining. The inside of the lid has a London Colt
label affixed with some unreadable pencil writing on it. There are four compartments in the case.
According to "The 36
Calibers of the Colt Single
Action Army" by Brown,
of the 925 Colt Single
Action Army Flattop
Revolvers produced, 84 were
chambered for .450 Eley.