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LOT 3145
Exceptional Documented Early Production Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Rare Factory German Silver Front Sight and Factory Letter - Serial no. 12784, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. The Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular handguns in late 19th century and is easily the most iconic and most thoroughly associated with the American West. Offered here is a fine, early example of the legendary Peacemaker in .45 LC. In the words of Colt author and expert David Brown, “[T]he Colt Single Action Army .45 was ‘the soldier’s friend’ throughout the remaining years of the Indian Wars in the West. Adopted also with equal enthusiasm by civilians, it was the pet and the ‘good right arm’ of lawman and outlaw alike on every American frontier of its era” (“The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” page 70). The accompanying factory letter confirms the .45 caliber chambering and blue finish. The barrel length and type of stocks are not listed, a common indication of standard 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks, which this revolver exhibits. The letter also states the revolver was shipped to J.P. Moores Sons of New York City on October 3, 1874. This shipment for 40 guns. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address in script. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates and a German
silver front sight. Colt author and expert Keith Cochran noted the rarity of a German silver front sight on early SAAs: “Some of the very early Peacemakers revolvers have a German-silver front sight blade...This type of sight blade is very scarce to rare and pleasant to observe” (“Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Volume 1,” page 196). We certainly agree this type of sight makes for a pleasing and stylistic design. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “45 CAL.” Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 50% bright original high polish blue finish, the cylinder retains 40% original blue, and the grip straps retain 50% original blue with
a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. The hammer and frame retain 40% original case colors in the protected areas. The grips are excellent with some minor handling marks and nearly all of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent.
An exceptional example of an early production legendary Peacemaker with a rarely encountered factory German silver front sight.
Provenance: The Richard Atkinson Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500