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LOT 3182
Extremely Rare Factory Deluxe Engraved Colt Second Generation Single Action Army
Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 12404SA,
38 Special cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory letter
confirms the 5 1/2 inch barrel in .38 Special, blue finish and deluxe engraving. The letter also states
the revolver was shipped on July 26, 1957, to The Security Company of New Orleans, Louisiana. This is truly a rare piece of Colt heritage. Based on research presented by Colt SAA expert and author Don Wilkerson
in his book “The Post-War Colt Single-Action Revolver, 1955-1975” only two factory deluxe grade second generation SAAs with a 5 1/2 inch barrel chambered in .38 caliber and blue finish came out of the Colt factory, and these two deluxe revolvers were engraved by Alvin Herbert (see
pages 118, 119 and 125). The deluxe engraving was one of the rarest embellishments offered to the SAA line. Out of the entire second generation production, Wilkerson accounts for only 32 deluxe engraved examples. When this SAA was engraved in 1957, the engraver for Colt was Alvin
Herbert, and while employed by Colt from 1954-1968, Herbert engraved a total of 65 SAAs. Herbert embellished
arms for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Charles De Gaulle, Sammy Davis, Jr. and many other high profile politicians and celebrities. He was a prolific engraver who, as noted by Colt historian R.L. Wilson, “turn[ed] out more than most engravers could in a 25 year period.”The scrollwork is similar to the patterns found on three Peacemakers that were originally part of a five gun set Herbert engraved for Colt and used by Colt for a traveling display as pictured on page 124 of the aforementioned Wilkerson book. The fine scrollwork on a punch dot background covers 75% of the surface. Double bands are engraved behind the cylinder stops, and amongst the scrolls is a floral blossom on the trigger guard. The revolver is stamped with the standard Colt markings, and the matching full serial number appears on the trigger guard, left side of the trigger guard and back strap, and both grip panels. The revolver wears a set of checkered Rampant Colt hard rubber grips and features a full blue factory finish.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue finish showing a few handling marks, very slight spotting on the back strap, and light cylinder drag line. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A great work of post-war Colt artistry that is missing from even the most advanced public or private collections. A must have for the serious SAA collector!
and 357,000 serial number range, many were used by Colt for advertising and public
relations purposes Based on research by author Don Wilkerson presented in “Colt’s
Single Action Army Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model” a total of only 163 pre-war/
post-war revolvers were built in this configuration. Standard blade front sight on the
blued barrel which is marked with the one-line Hartford address on top and COLT
SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL” on the left side. The casehardened frame has the two-
line patent marking and assembly number “120” on the loading gate. Matching serial numbers on the frame, both gripstraps, and the inside of both grip panels. Includes the original Colt maroon box and a plain cardboard box with hand marked labels.
CONDITION: Near new in box, retaining 99% original blue and vivid casehardened finishes with limited handling evidence and sharp grip texture. The box is excellent with minor storage wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Don and Carol Wilkerson Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,000
133
Collector’s Fact
According to Don Wilkerson
in his book The Post-War Colt Single-Action Revolver, 1955-1975 only two factory deluxe grade SAA in this configuration were manufactured, both by Master Engraver Alvin Herbert.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3183
Outstanding Colt Pre-War/ Post-War Single Action
Army Revolver with Original Box - Serial no. 357356, 38
Special cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Offered here is a rare pre-war/post war
SAA chambered in .38 Special. Having its serial number factory applied in 1940, this is an example of a scarce pre-
World War II Colt Single Action Army revolver that was later assembled and finished after the war and kept at the
factory. The pre-war/post-war SAAs are found in the 356,000