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According to The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1872-1895, only 3,385 Colt Peacemakers are in the 1-164,100 serial number range, of which only 610 were produced in this configuration.
LOT 1202
Documented and Fine Colt Black Powder Single Action Army Revolver in .450 Boxer with Scarce 7 1/2 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 9013, 450 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 .450 Boxer, 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 authors accounted for a total of 3,385 Peacemakers in .450 Boxer falling in the 1-164100 serial number range and out of the 3,385 units only 610 had a blue finish and 7 1/2 inch barrel like this example. The accompanying factory letter confirms the .450 Boxer chambering and blue
finish and has the barrel and type of stocks not listed, a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks as these were considered standard features at the time and not usually noted. The letter also states the revolver was shipped to Colt’s London Agency, London, England, on March 30, 1874. This was a 50 gun shipment. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top, and the left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking. London proof marks appear behind each cylinder flute and on the bottom of the barrel at the breech. “45 CAL” is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. Matching full serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, barrel, and cylinder. This SAA is pictured and identified in “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1872-1895” on page 372. Single Action Army Revolvers
chambered in
.450 Boxer were sold throughout the British
Empire. These early production Single Action Army Revolvers with British proof marks are scarce. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel
and ejector rod
housing retain 60%
bright original high
polish blue finish, the
cylinder retains 70%
original blue finish and
the grip straps retain
90% plus original blue
finish. The hammer and
frame retain 70% vivid
original case colors. The grips are very fine with a patch of textured varnish and minimal minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A well-documented antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver in .450 Boxer in fine condition that will make a great addition to any SAA collection.
Provenance: The Jonathan Peck Collection; The Richard Atkinson Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER 1873-1895 BY WILKERSON & HOYT