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Documented Montana Shipped First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver in Scarce Dual Caliber .44 Russian/.44 S&W Special with Factory Letter - Serial no. 349617, 44 Russian S&W special cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1926 and is chambered for both .44 Russian and .44 S&W Special cartridges. Estimates list only 506 Single Action Army revolvers manufactured for .44 S&W Special. Prior to the introduction of the .44 Special to the Colt line, only 154 Single Action Army revolvers were manufactured for the .44 Russian cartridge upon which the .44 Special was based. The barrel has the one-line address on top and “RUSSIAN AND/S&W SPECIAL” followed by “44” on the left side. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped with the number “3” over the Colt “VP” proof mark. Matching serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, back strap and both grip panels. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .44 S&W, blue finish and hard rubber stocks when shipped to Kalispell Mercantile Co. of Kalispell, Montana, on October 7, 1926. This was a single gun shipment. Housed in downtown Kalispell, Kalispell Mercantile Co, originally known as the Missoula Mercantile Co., retail store had for many years been managed by H. C. Keith who was also president of the First National Bank of Kalispell. The retailer was once one of the largest of its kind between Seattle and Minneapolis. CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 90% plus original blue finish, the cylinder also retains 90% plus original blue finish with visible rotation
lines and the grip straps retain nearly 85% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 85% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and frame. The faded grips are very fine with a few minor handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A dual caliber .44 Russian/.44 S&W Special SAA is a must
have for the serious Colt collector, and offered here is a well above average condition example. Provenance: The John Fox Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 10,000 - 16,000