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Historic Documented First Pair of San Antonio Police Department First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolvers with Factory Letters and San Antonio Police Cap -A) “S.A.P.D. No. 1” Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 351202, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. The included factory letters list these revolvers in .45 caliber with 4 3/4 inch barrels, blue finish, rubber grips, and “S.A.P.D. No. 1” and “S.A.P.D. No. 2” and confirm they were a part of order 13663/50 and shipped to the City of San Antonio Police Headquarters on October 18, 1927, in a shipment of 50 revolvers of this type. Another of these revolvers is shown on page 181 of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” by Graham, Kopec, and Moore. That revolver is part of the 101-150 batch identified as shipped on December 21, 1927. The butts of the revolvers are inscribed “S.A.P.D. No. 1” and “S.A.P.D. No. 2.” The remaining markings and features are standard, including matching serial numbers on the frames, back of the cylinders, right side of the grip straps, and inside of the grips. The revolvers each come with a custom display stand with plaques listing the details of the factory letters and the San Antonio Police Department.
The advertisement on page 56 of the included August 1949 issue of “The American Rifleman” for “Genuine Colt Single Action Frontier Model Pistols -45 Caliber Only! -4 3/4-in. Barrels-Blue Finish! -Serial No.’s About 350,000” for $75 in excellent condition and $65 in good condition at Alamo Leather Goods Co. in San Antonio was for 125 of these San Antonio P.D. revolvers. This has been previously confirmed by the San Antonio Police Department Historical Society. A size 7 1/4 San Antonio Police cap from Frank Bros in San Antonio is also included as are photographs identified as T.O. Miller wearing one of these caps in the 1920s. Miller was the department’s traffic captain in 1924 and became the chief of police in 1925. San Antonio is one of the oldest cities in the country and is famous as the location of the Alamo where Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, and their comrades fought the Mexican Army. It was rapidly growing in the 1920s with a population gain of over 40% in the decade and is now one of the largest cities in the country. CONDITION: Very good with 30% original blue finish remaining and concentrated in the protected areas, bright original case colors in the sight groove and protected areas of the frame, mottled gray and brown patina on the balance, mild holster wear, some isolated minor pitting, and general mild overall wear consistent with police use. The grips are also very good aside from t crack through the left panel and have distinct checkering and embossing, mild handling wear, and general minor scratches and marks. Mechanically excellent. The cap is very good with some mild age and storage wear including moth holes. The framed photograph and display stands are excellent with minimal wear. B) “S.A.P.D. No. 2” Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 351098, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. See “A.” CONDITION: Very good. 60% original original blue finish remains on the barrel, ejector, and cylinder which exhibit moderate holster type wear on and some very light pitting. The frame retains 30% original case colors concentrated at the front and mostly a smoky gray-brown patina on the balance. The grip straps have patches of original blue finish in the protected areas and have mostly faded from handling to a smooth brown patina. The trigger has strong original niter blue finish. The grips are also very good and have distinct checkering and embossing, some worn spots, and mild wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 20,000 - 40,000
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