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LOT 116
Sensational and Highly Sought After Nickel Finish Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Relief Carved Steer Head Pearl Grips, Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 351819, 45 LC cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. The Colt Single Action Army Revolver is one of the most iconic historical firearms and is forever connected to the American West. Its legacy as a working man’s gun in rough circumstances has made them particularly desirable for collectors, especially those in high condition and sporting rare factory features, as with this example. This is a superb example of a first generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver made more desirable by wearing factory relief carved steer head grips and factory nickel plating. The condition alone makes it a must have for the serious SAA collector. The steer head pearl grips and nickel add to its stunning beauty, making it even more appealing. And if that was not enough, the revolver is chambered in .45 LC, the caliber that made the Peacemaker legendary. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel plating,
and pearl grips. The letter also states the revolver was sold to Stauffer, Eshleman & Co. of New Orleans,
Louisiana, and shipped to Martin Moore Co. (address unavailable) on May 28, 1928. Although the factory records do not indicate carved steer head pearl stocks, they are most certainly factory. The Rampant Colt medallion pearl stocks feature a relief carved steer head on the right panel. Both grip panels are numbered to the gun. These factory steer head carved pearl grips are rare and highly sought after. As Colt historian and author
R.L. Wilson noted, only “a few” SAAs had factory hand carved steer head motif grips. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. As stated in the factory letter, this Peacemaker has the factory original nickel plating, a rare finish for the first generation SAA as these Colts are more commonly found in blue. Matching assembly number “1130” is on the loading gate and back of the frame. The matching serial number appears on the frame and right side of the trigger guard and back strap under the grip. The correct Colt black box features a proper end label, matching work order on bottom (listed in the factory letter), with the nickel finish, 4 3/4 inch barrel, .45 caliber, and pearl stocks listed. Included is a bore brush.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% original nickel plating with a very fine cylinder drag line, slight flaking visible on the grip straps and cylinder at the front edges, and minimal handling marks. The grips are also excellent with very limited handling/storage marks, crisp carving and highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with minor wear. A fantastic example of a factory nickel plated first generation Colt SAA wearing relief carved steer head pearl grips that will be a stand out piece in any Colt collection.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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