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LOT 3127
Rare, Documented Antique Black Powder Colt
Single Action Army Revolver in Highly Desirable .44 Rimfire with Factory Letter - Serial no. 1523, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Offered here is a highly sought after Colt Single Action Army Revolver chambered for the .44 Rimfire cartridge that is becoming increasing difficult to find no matter the condition. The Colt Single Action Army Revolver is arguably the most iconic handgun of Americana. In the hands of ranchers, cavalrymen, Native Americans, lawmen and outlaws, the Peacemaker’s legacy was forged out in the hostile American West and continues to gain popularity among today’s collectors. This SAA is one of only 1,863 Colt chambered in .44 Rimfire, making it a highly prized collectible of legendary Colt heritage. Colt introduced its SAA .44 Rimfire series in 1875. These revolvers were serial numbered in their own range from 1 to 1863 and were manufactured for approximately five years. Colt sold most of the .44 RF production
to South and Central America due to a limited acceptance on the American market where they saw hard and abusive use. Moreover, the 7 1/2 inch barrel was not well received, and most specimens that have found their way back to the United States generally have a shortened barrel. From about 1888 to 1890 the Colt factory converted 107 of the .44 Rimfire revolvers to .22 Rimfire. Finding a SAA in original 7 1/2 inch barrel, .44 RF configuration in any condition is rarely encountered. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver left the factory with
.44 Rimfire chambering and blue finish with
type of stocks and barrel length not listed
(common indication of walnut and 7 1/2 inches
as these were standard features) when shipped
to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York City
on April 25, 1877. This was a 15 gun shipment. The
revolver has the original and distinctive hammer with rimfire
firing pin secured by two pins and a rectangular hammer slot in the frame. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top, the frame has the three-line patent dates marking on the left side, and the trigger guard has “44 CAL” stamped on the left side. The ejector rod has a bullseye head. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder (“523”), and barrel (“523”).
CONDITION: Fine retaining 70% of the Schuyler, Hartley & Graham retailer applied nickel plating with a smooth gray patina on the balance along with some patches of pitting as typically associated with a sidearm that saw a lifetime of service. The undersized replacement
grip is good and shows heavy rasp marks and a series of dings on
the bottom. Mechanically excellent. One does not find these factory documented .44 Rimfire Colt Single Action Army revolvers very often! Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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According to "The Book of Colt Firearms", Only 1,863
Colt Single Action Revolvers were produced in .44 Rimfire