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LOT 1184
Outstanding, Documented, Pre-War/Post-War Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Original
Black Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 357118, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
hard rubber grips. Originally manufactured in 1940, this is an outstanding example of what has become known as a “pre-
war/post-war” Colt Single Action Army revolver, with the parts having been manufactured prior to World War II and then
assembled and shipped after the war. In “Colt’s Single Action Army Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model” by Don Wilkerson, he
notes that 338 total of these “pre-war/post-war” Single Action Army revolvers were produced. On p. 28 of the same book
he notes that only 15 were produced in .45 Long Colt with a 7 1/2 inch barrel and blue/casehardened finish, meaning that
it is quite likely that this is the finest example in existence in this configuration. The included factory letter lists the revolver
in .45 caliber with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and grips not listed when it was shipped to Harold E. McClary in Boonville,
Indiana on 25 April 1961 as part of a two gun shipment. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line address, while
the model and caliber marking are on the left. The two-line patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt is on the left of
the frame. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame and the left side of the front and rear grip
straps. The front left of the trigger guard has the triangle “VP” proof, with an “X” on the rear and an “A” on the front right.
The assembly number “852” is marked on the rear face of the frame. It is fitted with the
standard sights and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops.
Includes the original Colt black box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original blue and 99% vibrant casehardened
finishes, with very small patches of light surface spotting on the left of the hammer and
loading gate, as well as a very faint turn line on the cylinder. The grips are also excellent
with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The
box is fine with indented lid and some separation on one of the lid edges. It would be very
difficult to improve upon this scarce “pre-war/post-war” Colt Single Action Army!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 10,000
According to "Colt's Single Action Army
Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model" by
Don Wilkerson, of the 338 Pre-War/Post-
War Colt Single Actions produced, only 15
revolvers were produced in this configuration.
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