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LOT 117
Antique Black Powder Frame Colt Single Action Army
Revolver in .32 Colt with Incredibly Rare Special Order 8 1/2 Inch Barrel and Front Sight and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 127530, 32 Colt cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1888, this is an
extreme rarity in Colt SAA collecting as it is one of only an estimated 192 standard frames chambered in .32 Colt (see David Brown’s
“The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” page 202). Moreover, it has an extremely rare special order 8 ½ inch barrel and
special order front sight. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on October 22, 1888 to Schoverling, Daly
& Gales of New York City and confirms the 8 ½ inch barrel in .32. Colt, blue finish, hard rubber stocks, and ivory front sight. This was a
single gun shipment. Colt factory records show that barrel lengths ranged from 2 inches all the way up to 16 inches. However, 3, 4 3/4, 5 1/2,
and 7 1/2 inches were the standard barrel lengths, making all other lengths built to suit custom orders. In research presented in “The Official
Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895,” only one blue finished, 8 ½ inch barrel. .32 Colt caliber SAA falling in the 1-164100
serial number range was manufactured by Colt (page 365). In the aforementioned publication, the authors note “that in reality there are less
revolvers chambered for the .32 Colt cartridge than indicated” in their book as the count includes factory records listing either “.32/c” or “.32
Colt.” The authors explained, “Further study indicates that a number of revolvers recorded as .32/c were actually chambered for the S&W target
cartridge. A lesser number listed as .32/c were chambered for the S&W revolver cartridge.” While there are likely less revolvers chambered
for .32 Colt in the official count there are more revolvers chambered for one of the .32 S&W cartridges. This revolver certainly makes for an
extremely rare and interesting antique SAA! Besides the aforementioned special order front sight, the barrel has
the one-line Hartford address on top. The left side of the frame has the three-
line patent dates marking. The caliber designation “32 CAL” is stamped on the
left side of the trigger. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger
guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very good plus, with 40% plus original blue finish and 20%
original case colors visible in the protected areas of the forward frame,
otherwise a gray patina on the balance, some scattered pitting, and a few
areas of numerous dings. Front sight shows some chipping. The grips are very
good with dings and some softened checkering. Mechanically excellent. An
incredibly rare special order black powder Colt Single Action Army revolver
that is a must have for the serious Colt collector.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 11,000 - 17,000
According to "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action
Army" by Brown, only 192 standard frame Colt Single
Action Revolvers were produced in .32 Colt.
According to "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action
Army Revolver 1873-1895" by Wilkerson and Hoyt, this
is the only Colt Single Action produced with an 8 1/2 inch
barrel, blue finish and chambered in .32 Colt.
Collector’s Fact
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