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LOT 3127
Exceptionally Fine Documented Individual
Shipped Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 145173, 32-20
WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Colt introduced the .32-20 WCF caliber to its line
of SAAs in 1887. Although it got a late start, this caliber quickly became a hit, becoming one of the most produced SAA calibers of all time. It is easy to understand the popularity of the .32-20 SAA. “The .32-20 WCF cartridge had good range
and accuracy,” wrote Colt author David Brown. “It is very easy to shoot, as it does not make the revolver buck as the larger calibers do. It also was used as a companion to the Winchester rifle of the .32-20 WCF caliber.” By the 1900s .32-20 WCF was one of the most popular SAA calibers, even out selling the iconic .45 caliber in some years. Offered here is a high condition .32-
20 WCF SAA that was featured in “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver. 1873-1895” on page 360. The accompany factory letter confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in .32-20 caliber, blue finish and “wood” stocks. The letter also states the revolver was the only gun in a March 4, 1892 shipment delivered to J.H. Guernsey (address unavailable). It is not often
we encounter antique SAAs shipped to an individual. Although J.H. Guernsey remains unidentified, our research discovered
a J.H. Guernsey living in Osage City, Kansas, circa 1889, whose occupation was listed in “furniture and undertaking.” An 1889 advertisement promoted, “A fine line of new style rockers just received at J.H. Guernsey’s Old Reliable furniture store. Don’t fail to see them.” In other advertisements he boasted as having the “largest line of undertaking goods,”“all modern undertaking appliances and a fine hearse,”and“a fine line of burial goods.”The barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address on
top and “32 W.C.F.” on the left side. The left side of the frame is marked with the two-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish, the cylinder retains 60% original blue finish and the grip straps retain 40% original blue finish with the balance between
smooth brown and gray patinas. The hammer and frame retain 60% vivid original case colors. The grip is very fine with
a surface chip visible near the bottom (left side), some high edge wear and scattered minor handling marks, and most
of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Bob Bruckner Collection; The Richard Atkinson Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER 1873-1895 BY WILKERSON & HOYT
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
"The .32-20 WCF cartridge had good range and accuracy. It is very easy to shoot, as it
does not make the revolver buck as the larger calibers do. It also was used as a companion to the
Winchester rifle of the .32-20 WCF caliber." - author David Brown
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