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LOT 1076
Extremely Rare Black Powder Colt “Pinched Frame” Single Action Army Revolver with
Rare Attachable Skeleton Stock and Ron Graham Letter as Pictured in “A Study of
the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” - Serial no. 122, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, varnished walnut grips. The Colt Single Action Army revolver
is probably the most iconic firearm in history. It is an instantly recognizable handgun
strongly associated with the late 19th century and early 20th century West. This revolver was
manufactured in 1873, the first year of production. The revolver has the extremely desirable
“pinched frame” rear sight found only on civilian Single Action Army revolvers below serial
number 200 and government test model revolvers. Noted Colt historian and author Ron
Graham has examined this revolver and his recorded his observations in his accompanying
handwritten letter from 2012. In the letter, Graham proclaims no. 122 “the finest known, .45
Colt caliber, private collection, pinched frame Single Action that retains its first assembly
factory original condition.” The location of the serial number behind a cylinder flute indicates
that the revolver was fully assembled after mid-August 1873. Based on Graham’s research
earlier assembled “pinched frame” guns featured the cylinder serial number on the front or
rear face. Graham explained is one of the early “pinched frames” Colt manufactured prior to
the July 23, 1873 contract, but not all frames were assembled into complete guns as seen
with this example. Also on the cylinder is the number “1” on the rear face. The barrel serial
number is correctly visible just ahead of the cylinder pin head, the correct italic one-line
Hartford address with clipped “A” in Hartford, and a correct German silver blade front sight.
The trigger guard has the first style caliber designation “45 CAL” on the left shoulder. The
frame has the elongated hammer screw for attaching an included shoulder stock. These
original hammer screws for attaching a stock are rare. The left side of the frame has the
two-line patent dates marking (factory double struck). The early three digit serial number
122 appears on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. The revolver wears
a varnished one-piece walnut grip. The survival rate for these “pinched frames” was low
with many reworked and in rough condition encountered by today’s collectors. As Graham
noted, “Fortunately, Colt collectors are still able to appreciate the survival of several excellent
condition pinch frame revolvers. Of which, serial number 122 is probably the finest, factory
unaltered, production pinched frame, Single Action Colt in private hands.”
The nickel plated brass skeletonized shoulder stock is included. Letters from Colt’s London
Agency show that the shoulder stock was sold as early as 1875. As an 1874 production
example, this “pinched frame” suggests that shoulder stock production began as early as
1874. Unfortunately, factory records for serial no. 122 are unavailable. The nearly impossible
to find skeleton stock is a prized collectible missing from even the most advanced SAA
collections. The stock attaches to the revolver via a special extended hammer screw
projecting from both sides of the frame. These rare stocks were offered as accessories, and
there are no known records for how many were sold directly with Colt Single Action Army
Revolvers, other than Buntline Specials.
“Serial Number 122 is probably the finest known,
.45 COLT caliber, pinched frame Single Action”
Ronald Graham, Colt Historian and coauthor of
“A Study of the Colt Single Action Revolver”