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LOT 3222
Outstanding and
Desirable Colt
First Generation
Single Action Army
Revolver - Serial no. 354626, 45 Long
Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in
1932, this is a stunning, exceptionally high condition example of a Colt First Generation Single
Action Army revolver. Single Action Army revolvers in fairly standard configuration like this one
were more often than not seen as working guns and worn regularly as a holstered sidearm well
into the 20th century, leaving very few examples in incredibly high condition like this one available to collectors. These late first
generation examples are often cited as the highest quality Single Action Army revolvers produced by Colt, and this particular one is certainly
no exception. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard single line address, while the model and caliber marking are on the left. The left
of the frame is marked with the two-line patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt. The left of the trigger guard is marked “3” over “VP”. The
matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, right side of both the front strap and back strap under the grip panel, and hand
scratched on the inside of both grip panels. The matching assembly number “653” is marked on the rear face of the frame and on the inside of the
loading gate. It is fitted with the standard blade front, frame-top groove rear, and checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original blue finish, 97% plus of the vibrant, original case colors, and 99% of the bright nitre blue on the trigger with a few scattered very light
handling marks, extremely light muzzle wear, and a few light cylinder turn marks. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. If your collection is in need of an extremely high condition Colt First Generation Single Action Army in the caliber that cemented its legacy, search no further!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3223
Nickel Plated
Colt First
Generation
Single Action Army Revolver in Very Scarce
.38 Special with Original Box - Serial no.
354420, 38 Special cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured
in 1931. These .38 Special revolvers were made
only on special order and saw extremely
limited production compared to other
calibers. According to respected authors Graham, Kopec, and Moore,
on page 170 of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” book
(published 1976), “Laxity of Colts’ shipping clerks (laxity may be an
unfair remark, because to them there was no practical difference in the
chamberings) in not completely describing .38 caliber Single Actions
in the shipping records has created research problems. In John Parsons’
very thorough searching of those records, he found where clerks had recorded only eighty-two .38 Colt Special, and twenty-five .38 S&W Special, standard Single Actions. In our examinations of existing SAs, over sixty have been
recorded which were fitted with cylinders having .38 S&W Special chambers, and the exact number of revolvers so fitted will probably never be known.” The two mentioned caliber designations are considered interchangeable. The
barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL” on the left side. The frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The trigger guard has the number “4” and
Colt factory triangle “VP” proof. The revolver wears a set of checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt at the top. The assembly number “363” is marked on the loading gate. Includes the original Colt box handnumbered to
the gun with end label listing 5 1/2 inch barrel, rubber grips, nickel finish, and .38 caliber.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus untouched original nickel plated finish with a few areas of flaking on the balance, some areas having a slightly frosted appearance, and sharp markings and edges in the metal
overall. Grips are fine, with moderate even wear on the left panel and crisp checkering on the right. Mechanically excellent. Box is fine.
Provenance: Doug Carlson; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
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