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Collector’s Fact
According to "Colt's Single Action Army Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model" by Don Wilkerson on page 19, there were only 338 Pre-World War II manufactured Colt Single Action revolvers assembled after World War II, which comprise the group of revolvers referred to as Pre-War Post- War by collectors. This revolver is one of only 163 produced in
this configuration.
LOT 489
Post-War 1956 Production Colt Second Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Box - Serial no. 1539SA, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in 1956, the first year for the Second Generation, as one of 16,387 made in this configuration. Features the standard blade front and notch rear sights, the top of the barrel is marked with the one line address and the left side is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. The two line, three patent dates marking on the left side of the frame followed by the Rampant Colt. The grips are black checkered hard rubber with the
406
LOT 488
Outstanding Documented Colt Pre-
War/Post-War Single
Action Army Revolver with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 357563, 38 Special cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Offered here is a rare pre-war/post war Single Action Army revolver chambered
in .38 Special. It had its serial number factory applied in 1940. The pre-war/post-war SAAs are
found in the 356,000 and 357,000 serial number range. 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. What is particularly interesting about this example is that the
included factory letter lists this revolver as not shipped until October 3, 1972, when it was part of a nine gun shipment in .38 Special with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and grips not listed. It was shipped to Dick Sherburne in Amherst, Massachusetts.
The remarks state that “Subject revolver is a pre-war/post-war model. The frame and components were manufactured prior to World War II with assembly being accomplished in the post-war period by Master Gunsmiths Harry St. John and Al DeJohn. The majority of these revolvers were utilized by the Colt Company for advertising and public relations purposes.” Richard A. Sherburne, Inc. was a distributor in Massachusetts at the time. The revolver has the 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 followed by the Rampant Colt and assembly number “271” on the loading gate and rear of the frame. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, both grip straps, and the inside of both grip panels.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original blue and vibrant case colors with a few scattered light handling marks and a few very light cylinder rotation marks. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered very light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
Rampant Colt at the tops. In a Kraft brown box marked “COLT” on top lid, and gold end label. This style of box was used by Colt circa late 60s for returning revolvers back to customers after engraving or repairs. CONDITION: Excellent with 99% original blue and casehardened finish, with only a few light handling marks and a partially unturned cylinder. The grips are also excellent. Mechanically excellent. Box is near new. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500