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LOT 1146
Desirable St. Louis, Missouri Shipped Antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver
with Tooled Leather Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. 44432, 45 Long Colt cal.,
7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Originally manufactured
in 1878, the included factory letter indicates the Single Action Army was not shipped
until 7 February 1880, when it was part of a shipment of fifty revolvers of this type to
E. C. Meacham Arms Company in St. Louis, Missouri. In the late 19th century St. Louis,
“The Gateway to the West,” was still a major launching point for those traveling to the
Great Plains, California, and the Southwest just as it had been since before Lewis and
Clark and the Corps of Discovery left the city on their journey across the Louisiana
Territory. The letter confirms the caliber and blue finish and notes that this barrel length
and walnut grips were standard at the time. The ejector rod has the early “bullseye”
head, and the hammer spur has elongated bordered knurling. The top of the barrel is
roll-stamped with “COLT’S PT. F A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.” in one-line in block
letters. The left side of the frame has the Colt three-line patent markings, and “45 CAL”
is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The loading gate is stamped with
the assembly number “710”. A “P” and an “S” are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.
“B” is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. “C” and “S” Colt inspection
marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel behind the ejector housing boss. The
full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
The partial serial number “4432” is stamped on the underside of the barrel beneath the
ejector housing, the side of the cylinder, and is hand marked in the back strap recess
of the grip. Included with the revolver is an extensively tooled “Mexican loop” pattern
leather holster featuring a man on horseback, two running deer, and floral motifs
throughout. The back side of the backing skirt of the holster is marked “406 X/38 6”, and
the consignor attributes it as the work of Andy Card Saddlery in Oklahoma City.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% of the blue finish remaining, mostly on the barrel and ejector
rod housing, with strong traces in sheltered areas. The frame, hammer and loading gate
retain 50% of the original case colors. The balance has primarily gray patina. There are
a few patches of mild surface pitting. The grip is fine with much of the original varnish,
some scattered handling marks, and moderate edge wear. Mechanically excellent.
The holster is very fine with some mild wear. This is a fine, original example of an 1878
production Colt Single Action Army revolver and a great addition to any American
firearms or western history collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
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