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LOT 3125
Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver in .38 Colt Special with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 353778, 38 Colt Special cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, stag grips. The factory letter lists the revolver in “.38 Colt” with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and rubber grips and
as the only gun of this type in a shipment on December 7, 1929, Wayne Hardware Co. in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The caliber in the letter represents the “.38 Colt Special” cartridge. This was Colt’s version of the .38
S&W Special cartridge which is essentially identical other than the headstamp and a slightly different bullet shape
much like the .38 Colt New Police was just a version of the .38 S&W Short. Other 1929 .38 Special revolvers have
also lettered as “.38 Colt.” The “Book of Colt Firearms” by R.L. Wilson states that only 82 Colt Single Action Revolvers
were chambered for the .38 Colt Special cartridge. The cylinder has the matching partial serial number “78” on the
rear face and has the shoulder in the chamber for the .38 Special cartridge. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with
the “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL” marking introduced in 1929. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “COLT’S PT.
F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” in one line. The left side of the frame has the two-line, three patent date marking followed by the uncircled Rampant Colt trademark. The left side of the trigger guard has the number “3” and the Colt triangle factory proof. Matching serial numbers are on the frame and grip straps under the right grip panel, and the assembly number “719” is on the loading gate and rear of the frame. The revolver has the standard sights and is fitted with a very attractive pair of aftermarket stag grips.
CONDITION: Excellent. The revolver retains 98% plus original blue finish showing some very light turn marks on the cylinder. The frame and hammer retain 98% plus original vivid case colors. The replacement grips are very fine with very attractive grain pattern and color. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive First Generation Colt chambered for the ever popular .38 Special cartridge.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3126
Extremely Fine First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver in .32-20 with Box - Serial no. 355085, 32-20 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This outstanding Colt Single Action Army revolver was manufactured in 1934. The revolver is complete with the royal blue carton marked with the serial number “355085” in grease pencil on the bottom, Colt “SHOOTING SUGGESTIONS” pamphlet and
wire cleaning brush. The revolver has the Colt commercial blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame and loading gate are color casehardened. The hammer has blue upper surfaces, polished sides and borderless knurling on the spur. The trigger is niter blue. The two-piece, black, hard rubber grips are checkered with the Rampant Colt trademark embossed in an oval at the top. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: “COLT’S PT. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” in one line. “COLT’S SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER .32-20” is roll-stamped on the left side of the
barrel. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt “Three-Line/Two-Date” patent marking followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The left front trigger guard
According to The Book of Colt Firearms, only 82 Colt Single Action Revolvers were produced for the .38 Colt Special cartridge.
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bow is stamped with the “4” assembler’s mark above the Colt “Triangle/VP” proofmark. A “K” inspection mark is stamped on the front face of the cylinder. The full serial number, “355085”, is stamped on the bottom of the frame and the right side of the trigger guard and back strap underneath the grip. “355085” is scratched
on the inside of both grips, and the partial serial number “85” is scratched on the rear face of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The assembly number “274” is stamped on the inside of the loading gate
and on the right end of the frame beneath the grip. The carton has a blue and white end label marked: “7 1/2/ Colt’s S.A. Revolver,/RUBBER BLUE/.32-20”. A Colt manufacturer’s label is glued to the inside of the carton lid.
CONDITION: Extremely fine with 95% plus original blue and casehardened finish, some minor edge wear and cylinder drag lines, and light handling and storage marks. The rear sight notch on the top of the frame has been filed out slightly. The grips are excellent and have crisp checkering and minimal age and handling
related wear. Mechanically excellent. The box is good and has some water staining, some flaking, and crisp label and serial number. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500