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LOT 3180
Antique Colt Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army Revolver with Extremely Rare 5
Inch .45 Long Colt Barrel, Relief Carved Eagle Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 145323, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, pearl grips. The
accompanying factory letter states this revolver was shipped in a single gun shipment on August
30, 1892, to Hartley & Graham of New York City, in .45 caliber, with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish, and
type of grips not listed. Colt only manufactured 1 non-engraved Sheriff’s Model with a 5 inch barrel
in .45 Long Colt caliber and blue finish in the 1-164100 serial number range, and this revolver is it,
making it an extremely rare and highly sought after example, per figures listed on page 326 of “The Official
Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895” by Wilkerson and Hoyt. The authors stressed the rarity of
the ejectorless Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army as a whole (barrel lengths ranged from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches in the study)
and state that “just under 600
ejectorless Single Action Army
revolvers were produced in
all calibers from 1882 to the
1930s.” The ejectorless Colt
“Sheriff’s Model” Single Action
Army revolver is one of the rarest
and most sought after variations of the legendary Peacemaker. Whether
on the hip of a lawman, carried by an outlaw or under the counter of
a storekeeper’s shop, the “Sheriff’s Model” Colt Single Action Army was
at the front lines of the American frontier. The ejectorless barrel has the one-line
Hartford address on top, with “45 COLT” marked on the left of the barrel. The left
side of the frame has the two-line, three-date marking. Matching serial numbers
visible on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with assembly number “75” on
the loading gate. The revolver wears a set of highly attractive pearl grips featuring
a relief carved eagle on the right side. These grips are likely Hartley & Graham and
only add to its appeal.
CONDITION: Very good, with an untouched smooth brown and gray patina, a few
patches of minor surface pitting, and defined markings in the metal overall. Grips
are fine, with highly attractive fiery colors, a small chip at the lower left rear, a
reattached section at the lower right rear, and a crisp carved eagle. Mechanically
functions. This is your chance to acquire one of the rarest and most sought after
variations of the legendary Peacemaker, a 5 inch .45 caliber Sheriff’s Model!
Provenance: John Erwin; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 18,000 - 30,000
According to "The Official Record of the Colt
Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895" by
Wilkerson and Hoyt, Colt only manufactured 1
non-engraved Sheriff's Model with a 5 inch barrel
in .45 Long Colt caliber and blue finish in the
1-164100 serial number range.
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