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LOT 3200
Historically Significant, Well-Documented,
Exceptionally Scarce “Battle of Britain” Colt Single
Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 356074,
45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. This Colt Single Action Army revolver was part of
an order for 163 single actions by the British Purchasing Commission that was shipped to Britain. The revolvers were ordered
by the British as an emergency replacement for small arms lost by the British Expeditionary Force during the evacuation from
Dunkirk in May 1940. The “Battle of Britain” revolvers were the last Colt SAA revolvers ordered under a military contract. These
guns were shipped to Winchester and then exported to Great Britain. This revolver is identified by serial number as a “Battle of
Britain” SAA in “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” on page 182. According to “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action
Army” by Brown on p. 28, only 24 of the “Battle of Britain” revolvers were in .45 caliber with 4 3/4 inch barrels and nickel finish, and
this revolver is identified by serial number in the book. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold to the British
Purchasing Commission and shipped to Winchester Repeating Arms Co. of New Haven, Connecticut on June 18, 1940, with a 4 3/4
inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a 24 gun shipment.
The revolver has British proofs along with the standard Colt markings which include the two-line Hartford barrel address, “COLT
SINGLE ACTION ARMY 45” on the left side of the barrel, two-line patent dates marking
followed by a Rampant Colt on the left side of the frame, and matching serial numbers on
the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and both grip panels. The matching assembly number
“640” appears on the rear of the frame and loading gate. The left side of the trigger guard
is marked with the number “4” along with the Colt factory triangle proof. Brig Pemberton
purchased the revolver in 1967 from M.R. Chafin at a cost of $800. How times have changed!
This revolver has the distinction of being one of the last SAA revolvers manufactured by
Colt before production ceased in 1940 as well as being one of the very historic “Battle of
Britain” revolvers purchased by the British for a last-ditch defense when faced with the
imminent threat from a German invasion in the summer of 1940. As noted in “A Study of the
Colt Single Action Army Revolver,” “No other revolver in history has been asked to defend so
much for so long--beginning with the Indian Wars of the 1870s through World War II” (182).
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original nickel finish with some scattered
handling marks and light cylinder drag line. The faded grips are very fine with some
softened checkering. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive
example of a historic documented “Battle of Britain” Colt SAA revolver.
Provenance: M.R. Chafin; The Brig & Louise Pemberton
Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
As pictured & described in A Study
of the Colt Single Action Revolver
LOT 3199
Very Scarce
“Battle of
Britain” Colt
Official Police Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no.
592337, 38 Colt Special cal., 6 inch round bbl., nickel finish, checkered walnut
grips. The included factory letter confirms the current .38 caliber, 6 inch barrel, and nickel finish with grips “Not Listed”, when
the revolver was purchased by Winchester Repeating Arms Co., and shipped to the British Purchasing Commission in New York,
NY, on June 18th, 1940, as part of a 72 gun shipment. This shipment date is noteworthy as it is the same date of shipment for a
known shipment of 24 Colt Single Action Army revolvers which were destined to see service during the “Battle of Britain”, one of
which is available in the following lot. The “Battle of Britain” was the British defense of their home island from the German Blitz
during the summer and fall of 1940. The British Purchasing Commission purchased a multitude of small arms abroad, including this
revolver, in an effort to arm the Royal Air Force and the British Home Guard knowing full-well that they faced an imminent German
invasion. The revolver itself features a round blade front sight and groove rear sight on to of the frame. The barrel is marked on top with the
standard two-line address/patent information with the model and caliber on the left as well as a Rampant Colt on the sideplate. The revolver bears
British proof marks on the barrel, frame, and cylinder. The revolver is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips with colt medallions.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 95% original nickel finish with scattered light handling evidence, minor flaking at the muzzle and on
cylinder flutes, with crisp checkering on the grips. Mechanically excellent. This is a rare opportunity to own a Colt revolver intended to be used in
the valiant defense of Britain!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
Notice both revolvers were ordered by the British Purchasing Commission and shipped on the same day.
According to "The 36 Calibers
of the Colt Single Action
Army" by Brown, only 163
Colt Single Actions were sold
to the British Purchasing
Commission, of which only 24
were in this configuration.
180