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LOT 3057
Factory Engraved Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory
Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 90690, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1884. There are few firearms that exude the character,
grit, and style of the American frontier like the Colt Single Action Army revolver. The revolver
found itself almost immediately popular as a sidearm upon its release in the mid-late 1800s, and
that popularity continued well into the 20th century among those with a desire for unwaveringly
reliable firepower. This documented factory engraved example with factory pearl grips displays
a certain flair that is often associated with the “Wild West”, having the look of a gun that is not
hard to imagine in the hand of a flamboyant Texas gunslinger. Adding credence to this revolver’s
potential former life, is the fact that the included factory letter lists it as having shipped on July
19, 1884, to Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, the gateway to the West. Along with
this shipment information, the factory letter confirms the 5 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel
finish, factory engraving, and pearl stocks. On page 333 in “The Official Record of the Colt Single
Action Army Revolver 1873-1895,” the authors accounted for only 35 factory engraved SAAs
in the 1-164100 serial number range in this configuration (5 1/2 inch barrel, .45 caliber, nickel
finish, pearl stocks). The scroll engraving is unique to patterns commonly used by Colt master
engraver Cuno Helfricht and more closely resembles a Louis Nimschke deluxe style than the
aforementioned engraver. Fan patterns decorate the recoil shield, loading gate, and behind the
hammer, zig-zag line motifs adorn the ejector rod, top of the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, and
back strap, and a rope pattern decorates the top strap. The top of the 5 1/2 inch barrel has the
two-line Colt Hartford address, a marking generally reserved on revolvers with barrel lengths 4
3/4 inches or less. The frame has the two-line patent date marking on the left side, and the left
side of the trigger guard has the caliber designation “45 CAL.” Matching serial numbers appear
on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
LOT 3058
Rare and Highly Desirable 50-Count Colt Single
Action Army Picture Box of .45 Long Colt
Cartridges by United States Cartridge Co. - This
is a rare full 50-count box of United States Cartridge
Co. .45 Long Colt cartridges for the Colt Single Action
Army revolver. The box is of cardboard construction
with a yellow label on the lid featuring black text
and imagery including the manufacturer name, an
image of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, and
states that the cartridges are for “COLT’S NEW BREECH
LOADING ARMY REVOLVER, ADOPTED by the UNITED
STATES ARMY for the CAVALRY SERVICE” as well as
that the shells can be reloaded many times. The box
contains a full compliment of non-headstamped
period .45 Long Colt cartridges.
CONDITION: Very fine, the box shows some light
aging and edge wear with the label retaining strong
color as well as distinct text and imagery, and opened
seals. Cartridges are also very fine. This rare full
50-count picture box of .45 Long Colt cartridges is a
must have to accompany a Colt Single Action Army!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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