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LOT 1220
Outstanding Pre-War/Post-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Original Black Box, Test Target, Factory Invoice, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 357652, 38 Special cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This highly sought after Colt “Pre-War/Post-War” Single Action Army revolver was assembled c. 1947-48 using pre-war manufactured parts. 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 one hundred sixty-three produced in this configuration (see page 28). The revolver is accompanied by an original Colt “Interoffice Correspondence” memo and a copy of a Colt Factory Invoice. The September 21, 1964, correspondence states that Colt President P.A. Benke approved the “no-charges” sale of “serial#0002-SA Postwar Single Action Army .45 and Serial #2 Python” to Herb Glass and also notes that Glass requested the purchase of this revolver along with four others and would receive them at dealer prices. The October 1964 invoice also confirms the revolver was sold to Glass in “.38/C 5 1/2[inch]” as “Approved by P.A. Benke (President) per D. E. Shorb’s memo of 9-21-64”. Also included is a factory letter that further confirms the revolver’s configuration with type of stocks not listed and that it was shipped to noted firearms expert and dealer Herb Glass, Sr. on October 5, 1964. This was a two gun shipment which included the consecutively serialized SAA no. 357653 featured in the next lot. The revolver has the Colt pre-war
commercial blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, trigger guard and back strap. The frame and loading gate are color casehardened with vivid case colors. The trigger and top of the hammer are blued, and the sides of the hammer are polished bright. The revolver has checkered hard rubber grips embossed with the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” in one line. The left side of the barrel is roll stamped: “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL” in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt two-line/ three-date patent marking followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The assembly number “471” is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The left front trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt “VP in triangle” proof mark. An “F” assembly mark is stamped on the left rear trigger guard bow. According to author Don Wilkerson, the “F” stamp on the trigger guard bow identifies revolvers either directly assembled
or supervised by Colt master gunsmith Harry St. John. The full serial number “357652” is stamped on the bottom of the frame and on the right side of the trigger guard and back strap underneath the grip. “357652” is neatly scratched on the inside of both grips. All
of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is complete with Colt box with navy blue and white end label marked “5 1/2 Colt’s Army S.A. Revolver./RUBBER BLUE/.38”. The serial number “357652” is written in grease pencil in two places on the bottom of the box. The box contains an undated test target numbered to the gun, wire bore brush, and waxed wrapping paper. CONDITION: Near new in box. The revolver appears to be un-fired
since leaving the Colt factory and retains 99% plus of the original blue and vivid color casehardened finishes. Cylinder has slight traces of a drag line. The screws are in perfect condition. The hard rubber grips are in perfect condition. The box is excellent; wear is limited to some very minor flaking on the corners. This is an outstanding example of a rare, documented “Pre-War/Post-War” Colt Single Action Army revolver in near new condition with
original box and test target.
Provenance: Herb Glass, Sr.; The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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CONFIGURATION IS LISTED IN COLT'S SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER PRE- WAR POST-WAR MODEL BY WILKERSON