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LOT 3179
Colt First Generation Single Action Army .44 Special
Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 355356, 44 special cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, rosewood grips. This nickel plated pre-World War II Colt SAA is chambered
in highly sought after .44 Special. Per Colt expert and author David Brown, only 506 standard first generation SAAs
were chambered in .44 Special (see “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” page 100). The barrel has the correct markings for a .44 Special SAA manufactured after 1931: the one-line Hartford address on top and “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44 SPECIAL” on the left side. Per the included factory letter, this SAA “was manufactured on December 10, 1937 and sent to the shipping room on December 18, 1937. Unfortunately, the ledger containing shipping records on Single Actions during the time period 1933 to 1944 was lost or destroyed some years ago. Therefore, we are unable to provide you with details pertaining to the configuration and shipment of this revolver.” The left side of the frame carries the two-line patent dates marking followed by
a Rampant Colt. The matching full serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The matching partial serial number “56” is stamped on the rear cylinder face. The front cylinder face is stamped with a five pointed star. The matching assembly number “142” appears on the loading gate and rear of frame. The revolver has a full nickel finish and wears a set of replacement rosewood Rampant Colt medallion grips. CONDITION: Excellent plus, retaining 99% original nickel finish with a small area of minor pitting on the muzzle end of the ejector housing and cylinder, some minor scratches, and a light cylinder drag line. The replacement grips are also excellent with a small chip on the right toe and a few minor handling marks. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. A high condition nickel plated pre-World War II Colt SAA in desirable .44 Special caliber. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection. Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
LOT 3180
Attractive Documented Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Pearl Steer Head Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 338249, 32 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1921. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed)
as well as sale to J. Duboise and shipment to Shapleigh Hardware Co. in St. Louis on 17 October 1921. It goes on to state that the revolver was returned on 2 December 1921 and then shipped to Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Co. in Louisville for Perry M. Neal on 6 September 1922, again returned on 9 October 1922 and shipped to H&D Folsom Arms Co in New York on 26 January 1924.
It has the standard two-line address on top of the barrel and the caliber marking on the left. The left of the frame is marked with the two-line patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, left of the trigger guard, and bottom of the back strap. The assembly number “451” is inside the loading gate and on the rear of the frame. It is fitted with blade and groove sights, and a pair of period replacement pearl grips with a relief carved steer head on the right panel. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original nickel finish with some scattered light handling marks. The slightly oversized replacement carved pearl grips are very fine with a few light chips around the edges, a few light handling marks, and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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Collector’s Fact
According to "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver" by Brown, only 506 standard frame Colt Single Actions were produced in .44 special.