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LOT 246
Desirable
Documented
Individual Shipped Colt Black Powder Single Action Army Revolver in Scarce
.38 Colt with Money Belt, California Slim Jim Holster, and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 118560, 38 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The
accompanying factory letter confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in scarce .38 Colt cartridge, blue
finish, and “wood” grips. The factory letter also states the revolver was shipped to W.H. Spooner
(address unavailable) on November 17, 1886. This was a two gun shipment. SAAs chambered in .38
LC prior to 1914 are a rarity in Colt collecting. .38 LC was introduced to the SAA line in 1886, dropped in
1914, and reintroduced in 1922. Around 1,011 standard frame SAAs chambered in .38 LC were manufactured
prior to 1914. As Colt expert and author David Brown pointed out in “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action
Army,”“The comparatively small production in the caliber makes these guns hard to find, and they are prized by
collectors. Specimens in mint condition are extremely rare. The percentage of 7 1/2” barrels is lower in this group than
in most other calibers, so specimens with 7 1/2” barrels are especially prized” (page 170). In the seminal work “The Official
Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895” the authors tabulated only 95 factory blued, 7 1/2 inch barrel
SAAs in .38 Long Colt within the serial number range 1-164100 or prior to the cylinder pin retaining screw being changed to
the spring loaded system (page 357). This is certainly a rare SAA! The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address. The left
side of the frame has the three-line patent dates, and the left side of the trigger guard is stamped “38 CAL.” Matching serial numbers
appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The attractive period holster rig is comprised of a leather money belt and California
slim Jim holster. The holster features light border tooling. The belt is stamped “38/5” and S94/X” at the German silver buckle.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 40% original blue finish with especially strong finish remaining under the ejector rod
housing. Strong traces of original blue remain in the protected areas of the grip straps. 40% original case colors remain on the hammer and frame. Otherwise the revolver has a smooth brown-gray patina. Initials are hand marked on the butt. The fine grip also shows working gun character with a small chip at the toe (left side), high edge wear, and handling marks. The very attractive holster rig is fine overall. Mechanically excellent. A fine and very desirable black powder Colt SAA in scarce .38 Long Colt.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000