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LOT 3193
Documented Colt First
Generation Single Action
Army Revolver in Rare .32 S&W with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 188511, 32 S&W cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips.
The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as part of a 6 gun shipment on
August 17, 1899, to Hartley & Graham of New York City, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, .32
S&W caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This is one of only 32 standard
frame Colt Single Action Army revolvers reportedly shipped in .32 S&W caliber, per page 198
of “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” by David Brown. Of note: .32 S&W,
.32 S&W Gallery, and .32-44 referred to the same basic cartridge, so with that in mind, only 2
more standard frames may be included in the total, per the additional figures on page 194 of the
aforementioned book. “FOR 32 S&W CTG.” marked on the left of the barrel, with a blade front sight, and
top strap groove rear sight. Matching visible serial numbers on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard,
and butt, with matching number “511” on the rear face of the cylinder.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original blue finish, strong patterns of original case colors
with surface freckling, 20% bright case colors in the forward protected portion of the frame,
charming smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and sharp markings and edges in the
metal overall. Replacement grips are also fine, slightly undersized, with a few minor handling
marks, and crisp designs and checkering. Mechanically excellent. As a true rarity, this .32 S&W
Single Action Army revolver would make a fine addition to any advanced Colt collection!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
LOT 3192
Documented Antique Colt
Flattop Target Single Action Army
Revolver in Rare .32 S&W Gallery with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 127726, 32
S&W Gallery cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue
finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory
letter lists this revolver as shipped on October 12,
1888, to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., in .32 S&W
Gallery caliber, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish,
and hard rubber grips. This was a 3 gun shipment.
This is one of only 9 flattop
Colt Single Action Army
revolvers reportedly shipped
in .32 S&W Gallery caliber, per
page 194 of “The 36 Calibers
of the Colt Single Action Army
Revolver” by David Brown. Of
note: .32 S&W and .32 S&W
Gallery, and .32-44 referred to the same basic cartridge, so with that in mind, only 30 more
standard frames may be included in the total, per the additional figures on page 198 of the
aforementioned book. Features a beaded blade target front sight and dovetail mounted
notch rear sight on top of the frame. Matching visible serial numbers on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and
butt, with matching “26” on the rear face of the cylinder, and assembly number “7” on the loading gate. Includes a
period leather wrapped case with green felt lined fitted interior containing twenty-four .32-44 U.M.C. headstamped cartridges, an L-shaped combination tool, two screwdrivers, and cleaning rods. A small handwritten note inside
the case reads, “Used by Sir Frank Crisp to break world’s pistol record at Bisley England prov. back to 1937.” No further information has been located to be able to verify this.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% original blue finish with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, some patches of pitting concentrated on the barrel, and defined markings. Grips are fine, with tight fitment, a brown
appearance, defined edges, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Case is good with general age related wear.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 14,000
According to "The 36 Calibers of the Colt
Single Action Army" by Brown, only 9 flattop
frame Colt Single Action Army revolvers were
chambered in .32 S&W Gallery.
According to "The 36 Calibers of
the Colt Single Action Army" by
Brown, only 32 standard frame
Colt Single Action Army revolvers
were chambered in .32 S&W.
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