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LOT 3190
Documented First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Scarce Long Fluted Cylinder and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 330491, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. The Colt
Single Action Army Revolver is arguably the most iconic American handgun. In the hands of ranchers, cavalrymen, Native
Americans, lawmen, and outlaws, the Peacemaker’s legacy was forged out in the hostile American West and continues to gain
popularity among today’s collectors. This very attractive example of the legendary Peacemaker chambered in the iconic .45 LC caliber
features scarce factory documented long fluted cylinder and was shipped to the London Armory Co., proving that the SAA had international
appeal. The included factory letter states the revolver was sold and shipped to London Armory Co. of London, England, on November 11, 1913,
with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a single gun shipment. The letter also noted that the
revolver was shipped out with the long fluted cylinder. SAAs with the long fluted cylinder are rare and even rarer in high condition. The double
action long flute cylinders are rare as Colt only assembled 626 single action revolvers in 1913 (1,478 total from 1913-1915) utilizing surplus
cylinders from the Model 1878 revolvers per Graham, Kopec, and Moore on page 156 of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver”. The
barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates followed
by a Rampant Colt, and the left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory triangle proof and the number “1.” London proofs appear on the
barrel, frame, and each cylinder flute. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and both grip panels. Matching
assembly number appears on the loading gate and rear of the frame.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and high edge wear. The frame and
hammer retain 60% plus original case colors. The grips are also very fine with a few handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically
fine. A solid representative example of a Colt SAA with long fluted cylinder.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection; The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
According to "A Study of the
the Colt Single Action Army
Revolver" by Graham, Kopec and
Moore, of the 1,478 Colt Single
Actions manufactured with long
flute cylinders, only 626 were
produced in 1913
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