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LOT 3178
Scarce Cased Colt London Agency Shipped
Black Powder Single Action Army Revolver
Documented in .45 Eley with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 21698, 45 Boxer cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is an antique
black powder frame Colt Single Action Army Revolver that letters
in .45 Eley, a desirable caliber that has bemused Colt collectors for decades.
In “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1872-1895” on page
46 the authors write, “An interesting fact became evident when comparing listings in the Colt
ledgers with copies of the actual invoices found in the Connecticut State Library. The designation ‘Eley’
or ‘Boxer’ was used interchangeably. Revolvers listed in .45 Eley in the record ledger may be listed on the shipping
invoice as .45 Boxer and vice versa.” The left side of the trigger guard has the .45 Boxer caliber marking: “45 CAL/B.” The accompanying factory letter lists this antique SAA as chambered in .45 Eley with blue finish, “long barrel” (indication of 7
1/2 inches), and type of stocks not listed. The letter confirms the revolver was shipped to the Colt London Agency, London,
England, on June 8, 1876. This was a 25 unit shipment. In “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver
1872-1895” the authors accounted for a total of 3,385 Peacemakers in .450 Boxer/Eley falling in the 1-164100 serial
number range, and, out of the 3,385 units, only 610 had blue finish and 7 1/2 inch barrel (page 373). The top of the 7 1/2
inch barrel has the one-line Hartford address (“COLT’S PT.F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”The left side of the frame has
the two-line patent dates marking. Two British proofs are found on the right side of the frame, and one British proof appears
on a cylinder flute. Matching full or partial serial numbers are stamped on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. The partitioned oak case features a Colt London Agency paper label on the interior of the lid and contains an empty cartridge block, “L” shaped tool, brass cleaning rod, and oiler marked “I/4179.”
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains heavy amounts of original blue finish under the ejector rod housing and traces of original blue finish around the front sight. The ejector rod housing retains some original blue finish in the protected areas. The cylinder retains 30% original blue finish in the flutes. 85% original blue finish remains on the grip straps. The hammer and frame retain 40% original case colors. The grip is
also fine with some high edge wear, scattered numerous dings, scratches, some minor handling marks, and most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with handling/storage marks and some typical high spot wear on the lining. The Colt London Agency label is complete and has legible markings. A scarce Colt London Agency shipped .45 Boxer black powder Single Action Army Revolver that is missing from even the most advanced SAA collections.
Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
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