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LOT 134
Excellent Colt First Generation Single Action Army
Revolver with Scarce Long Fluted Cylinder, Ivory Grips,
Ron Graham Letter, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 329157, 45
Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, ivory grips. The accompanying factory letter
states this revolver was shipped on May 27, 1915, to Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Co. in Louisville, Kentucky, with
the additional note “c/o E.L. Hart Co.” in .45 caliber, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and ivory grips (no mention of ivory
grips). This was the only gun of its type in the shipment. Between 1913-1915, a total of 1,478 Single Action Army revolvers are
reported to have left Colt with factory fitted surplus long fluted cylinders from the Model 1878 revolvers, with special features
implemented into the cylinder for single action function including the stop notches and changes to the ratchet, typically seen in
the 330001-331479 serial range, per Graham, Kopec, and Moore on page 156 of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver”.
The book further indicates that 626 Single Action Army revolvers with a long fluted cylinder were made in the year 1913, with 579
in 1914, and 274 in 1915. A handful of examples in the 329000 range have also been witnessed with long fluted cylinders, including
this example offered. An included letter dated July 21, 1985, from noted author and Colt historian Ron Graham states, “This Single Action
Revolver was assembled at the Colt factory with a Model 1878 DA, ‘Long Fluted,’ cylinder on Aug. 20, 1914, by a factory gunsmith, named
Simons, who used assembler’s identification stamp ‘K’ during that particular production period. His ‘K’ stamping can be seen in the
revolver’s hammer slot to the right of the factory ‘P’ inspection mark. Arah D. Libbey was also involved in assembling this SA as indicated
by the number ‘1’ assembler’s stamping on the right [left] rear trigger guard bow.” Graham further states, “In more than twenty years of
research, only ten confirmed, out-of range Long Flutes have been discovered. Serial number 329157 is one of them. Further adding to the
rarity of this SA are its factory original, inset medallion stocks. It is the only known ‘Long Flute,’ either in-range or out-of-range, that was
fitted by the factory with ivory grips. There was an interesting and unusual nine month time span between this revolver’s assembly date and the date it was sent to
Colt’s shipping room, May 26, 1915.... the fitting of ivory stocks may have had some significance.” 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 a factory triangle “VP” proof and the number “1” are on the left
of the trigger guard. Equipped with attractive factory ivory grips with “JOB 287” in ink on back as well as “IX” inscribed on both, and correct deep set Colt medallions at
the tops. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with assembly number “878” on the loading gate.
LOT 135
Excellent Documented Austin, Texas, Shipped Antique Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 26472, 38-40 WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory
lists this revolver as shipped in “September of 1890” to J.C. Petmecky in Austin, Texas, in .38-40 caliber, with a 5 1/2 inch
barrel, nickel finish, and type of stocks not listed, with a further note in the letter stating, “As noted above, the records
do not specify the exact date that subject revolver was shipped from the factory. However, further examination of the
records indicates shipment would have occurred between September 2nd and September 4th.” This was a 3 gun shipment.
1,732 Model 1878 revolvers were reportedly shipped in .38-40 WCF caliber, with only 149 listed as shipped in this specific
configuration with a 5 1/2 inch barrel length and nickel finish, according to figures on page 292 of Don Wilkerson’s book
“Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878” (published 1998). Designed by William Mason, Colt’s factory manager, and
Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be a double action
alternative to Colt’s legendary Single Action Army revolver. The Model 1878 was not considered to be as popular as its single
action cousin; however, there were still many that favored it in the West for its firepower, including Captain Jack Crawford,
who replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as “Chief of Scouts” shortly after the Battle of Little Bighorn. The top of the barrel is marked
with the one-line Hartford address, with “38 W.C.F.” marked on the left of the barrel. A small “G” marked on the left of the
trigger guard. Full serial number marked on the butt, with the matching last three digits on the rear face of the cylinder,
and assembly number “129” on the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove top strap rear sight, a pair of
checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops, and a lanyard swivel on the butt.
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