Page 105 - 4096-BOOK2

LOT 1112
Extremely Rare Well-Documented Special Order Dual Finished Individual
Shipped Antique Colt Flattop Target Model Single Action Army Revolver in
.44 S&W Russian with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter, Featured in “A Study of
the Colt Single Action Army Revolver: A Thirty Year Anniversary Edition” and
“The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895” - Serial
no. 162884, 44 S&W Russian cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/nickel finish, pearl grips.
Manufactured in 1895, with a later shipping date. The accompanying factory letter,
dated April 15, 1991, lists this Target Model revolver as shipped in a 1 gun shipment on
January 4, 1911, to individual A.B. Cole at an unavailable address, in .44 S&W, with a 7
1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and type of grips not listed, with the additional remark on
the letter stating, “Records further indicate subject revolver was shipped with a blued
barrel.” No further information has been located in relation to the listed individual
recipient A.B. Cole. Another scanned copy of a factory letter, dated December 22, 1964,
confirms all the same shipment details besides the caliber being listed as “.44 S&W Sp.” which was likely a factory recording error, as
.44 S&W Special was reportedly not introduced into Single Action Army production until 1913, which is after the listed shipment date
of this revolver. Fitted with a pair of period pearl grips, with stripe groove lines on the left that were likely added in the period by a
target shooter for gripping purposes. This exact revolver is illustrated on page 394 of “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action
Army Revolver 1873-1895” by the Wilkersons and Hoyt. Of the approximately 925 Flattop Target Model Single Action Army revolvers,
only 106 total were made in .44 S&W Russian, per figures on page 393 of the aforementioned book. This exact revolver is also pictured
on page xviii of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver: A Thirty Year Anniversary Edition” by Graham, Kopec, and Moore. The
revolver is noted as being out of the Charles Marx collection in both of the books it is published in. The top of the barrel is marked
with the one-line Hartford address, with the rare caliber marking “44 RUSSIAN CTG.” on the left. The left side of the frame has the two-
line patent date markings followed by the circled Rampant Colt, and the left of the trigger guard is marked with the triangle “VP” proof
and a “W”. Beaded blade front sight and dovetailed “U” notch rear sight. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard,
and back strap, with unnumbered cylinder, and assembly number “8” on the loading gate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% original blue and nickel finishes, with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, some minor
pitting, and distinct markings. Grips are fine, with age lines, and lustrous colors. Needs work as cylinder does not rotate when the
hammer is cocked; otherwise, mechanically functions. This is a rare opportunity to
acquire a factory dual finished .44 S&W Russian Colt Flattop Target Model Single
Action Army revolver!
Provenance: Morris Ball;
The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "The Official Record
of the Colt Single Action Army
Revolver 1873-1895" by Wilkerson
and Hoyt, of the 925 Colt Flattop
Target Model Single Action Army
revolvers produced, only 106 were
chambered in .44 S&W Russian.
As pictured & described in
The Official Record of the
Colt Single Action Army
Revolver by Wilkerson &
Hoyt and A Study of the Colt
Single Action Army Revolver
by Graham, Kopec & Moore
103