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According to The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873 - 1875, only 275 Colt Single Action Flattop Target revolvers were manufactured in .450 Boxer in 1873 - 1875.
LOT 3157
Extremely Rare Documented 5 1/2 Inch Barrel Colt London Black Powder Single Action Flattop Target Revolver with Factory Letter, Once in the Mel Torme Collection - Serial no. 127741, 450 Boxer cal.,
5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Offered here is an antique black powder frame Colt Single Action Army Flattop Target Revolver that letters in .450 Boxer, a desirable caliber that has bemused Colt collectors for decades. In “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1872-1895” on page 46 the authors write, “An interesting fact became evident when comparing listings in the Colt ledgers with copies of the actual invoices found in the Connecticut State Library. The designation ‘Eley’ or ‘Boxer’ was used interchangeably. Revolvers listed in .45 Eley in the record ledger may be listed on the shipping invoice as .45 Boxer and vice versa.”The authors accounted for a total of 275 SAA .450 Boxer/Eley Flattop Target Revolvers falling in the 1-164100 serial number range and out of the 275 units 29 had a blue finish and 5 1⁄2 inch barrel like this example (page 405). This is certainly a rarity in SAA collecting! These revolvers are highly regarded and sought after by collectors. In the 1880s the .450 became a popular short range target cartridge.
The accompanying factory letter addressed to acclaimed American singer and famous Colt collector Mel Torme confirms the 5 1/2 inch barrel in
.450 Boxer, blue finish, 4 1/2 lb trigger pull, and flat top target frame and indicates the revolver originally left the factory with “an extra long stock” (currently fitted with a set of standard sized checkered Rampant Colt/ eagle hard rubber grips). The letter also states the revolver was shipped
to Colt’s London Agency, London, England, on October 29, 1888. This shipment was for three guns. The top of the barrel has the one-line Colt Pall Mall, London address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. “45 CAL/B” is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. The revolver has target sights, London proofs on the underside of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute, and matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The cylinder is numbered to the gun with the last two digits of the serial number (“41”). Includes a set of replacement elongated checkered walnut grips. The revolver was formerly of the Mel Torme collection. Nicknamed “The Velvet Fog,” Torme was a musical prodigy. In songwriting, Torme is best known for composing
the music and co-writing the lyrics to the holiday classic “The Christmas Song” (commonly subtitled “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” which references the opening line) in 1945. Includes two Mel Torme vinyl records (“Mel Torme” and “The Torme Touch”).
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% bright original high polish blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance (mostly on the grip straps). The replacement worn grips are very good. Mechanically functions fine. A nearly impossible to find antique black powder Colt London Single Action Flattop Target Revolver with 5 1/2 inch barrel that is a must have for the serious SAA collector.
Provenance: The Mel Torme Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000