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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER BY HOYT
LOT 1160
Documented Antique Colt London Agency Black Powder Single Action Army Revolver in Rare
.455 Eley with Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. 77102, 455 eley cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. The accompanying factory letter confirms the .455 caliber chambering and blue finish.
The barrel length and type of stocks are not listed, a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks, which
this revolver exhibits. The factory letter also states the revolver was shipped to Colt’s London Agency, London, England, on January 26, 1882. This shipment was for 56 guns
(the crate used for international held 56 guns while a domestic shipping crate was designed to hold 50 guns). Colt manufactured
only 1,150 standard frame first generation SAAs chambered in .455 Eley (see David Brown’s “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” page 38). These .455 Eley Peacemakers were made for the British market and were only made from 1882
through fiscal year 1883-1884. There were only 477 SAA produced in this shown configuration (“The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895” page
375), making this revolver very scarce as well as highly desired
and sought after among collectors. The top of the barrel has the
one-line Colt London address. The left side of the trigger guard is
stamped “455 CAL/E.” The frame has the three-line patent dates
marking on the left side. London proofs are found on the barrel
and on the cylinder behind each flute. Matching serial numbers
appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Includes a brown leather flap holster. This revolver is pictured and identified in “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895” on page 374.
CONDITION: Very good plus, showing honest wear and use, retaining 30% original blue finish and slight traces of original case colors in and around the sheltered areas and a ding at the muzzle. There is a series of pressure dents on the bottom, otherwise the grip is fine with some minor handling marks, high edge wear and most of the original varnish remaining. The holster is fine with the
exception of a torn closure strap. Mechanically excellent. An antique black powder Colt London Agency SAA .455 Eley Revolver missing from even the most advanced collections. A must have for the serious Colt collector.
Provenance: The Vic Frederick Collection; The Richard Atkinson Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Collector’s Fact
According to The 36 Calibers
of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, only 1,150 standard frame First Generation Colt SAAs were chambered in .455 Eley.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1161
Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 147390, 38 WCF
cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1892. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .38-40 caliber, blue finish and type of stocks not listed when shipped to Fletcher, Jenks & Co. of Detroit, Michigan, on September 19, 1892. The barrel has “38 W.C.F.” on the left side and one-line Hartford address on the top. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking with a circled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard and back strap.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 30% original blue finish and 20% original case colors in the protected areas, otherwise the revolver has a smooth gray patina. The grips are very good showing wear and some chipping along the high edge. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Richard Atkinson Collection, Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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