Colts 1

This Single Action Army was delivered to the U.S. Government on April 10, 1880 in a shipment of 100 revolvers. It remains 100% ALL original, including the US on frame and ALL other Inspector marks are present. Serial No. 5498X more than likely went to the 4th Cavalry who were deeply involved in the Indian Wars of the Southwest. ALL Factory applied markings remain clear and distinct: barrel address, frame patents, all matching serial numbers (all present in correct locations) all military markings. The finish is a soft gray, untouched ! patina, with traces of blue in flutes and protected areas. The frame shows dark color case hardening in front of the cylinder. Mechanically: ALL working actions are 100% correct, and clean crisp exact action. The original grips are smooth and slightly darkened from hand sweat ! and have no damage. In fact the Inspector cartouches are still present, slightly worn, both the DFC/1880 Date and DAL.
A solid example of an Indian Wars Cavalry Colt .45, which are increasingly difficult to find.

This Colt Single Action Army is very unique, first of all, very early, July 1874. Serial No. 1129X shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham in July 1874, and here is the point of wow! a shipment of 220. At this time Colt was totally immersed in production to fill Government Contracts. Note this: this civilian Colt has a Serial Matched cylinder, but with Inspector mark “A”. Which means a Military cylinder was used to assemble this Single Action. The cylinder is numbered to all the other matching serial numbers on the Colt. So, this SAA was built immediately at the end of a contract, just before another contract came into effect, or it was a over run part, maybe even a condemned part ??? With a shipment of 220 to H&G, this may be one of the , if not THE largest shipments, sent in 1874. It is of the opinion of several other s that this may be the facts. Even though 150 years old the mechanical actions are in PERFECT working order. Cocking, safety, half cock, full cock, cylinder indexing, tight , and smoothly releasing to fire. ALL parts are the original Hartford parts assembled in 1874: Having the italic barrel address, and the 2 line 1872 frame patent. All factory applied markings are clear and present, ALL serial numbers match, to include barrel and cylinder. The original Walnut one-piece grips fit perfectly. They show hand sweat darkening, and very minor hand wear. they are free of any damage.

The original blue and case color finish is now a ( never been cleaned) gray/plum patina. With 1% original blue here and there, like front of Trigger Guard.

A very early, and unique, Colt SAA Civilian Issued and Shipped.

This Frontier Six Shooter # 10611X has a very interesting letter, In fact a separate section on remarks was added. It has the standard barrel length for the period, 7-1/2 inches, was finished in blue with one piece Walnut grips. The finish today ia an original, untouched, not cleaned, gray with plum undertones. Mechanically, it is 100% correct on ALL working actions. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present. This CFSS was shipped to Colt’s P.F.A.Mfg.Co. Company on January 4, 1888, This address was seen on a few shipments , as the Colt Company opened it’s San Francisco Office on January 1, 1888. However, NO shipping records to San Francisco appear until 1889!! This Colt shipped BEFORE they were recording the Agency Name as the ship destination !!!

IMPORTANT COLT REVOLVER in THE SINGLE ACTION CALIBER OFFERINGS FROM COLT..1877..44/40

This is an incredibly rare and scarce Single Action, showing the introduction of a new caliber to the Colt line in Single Action revolvers. Serial No.4108X is the very beginnings of 44/40 for Colt. Officially introduced in 1878 as a standard caliber, like many things there were a few hundred 44/40 pistols made and shipped, but they were different! The difference being the gain Twist Rifling. All of this is explained in detail in the Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia by Keith Cochran. The lowest serial number presently recorded is 41078, this one is only six numbers away! The letter states Blue, Barrel Not Listed, more than likely 7-1/2 inches. However, looking at the end of the barrel, sight etc.. it really has Factory appearance of 4-3/4 inches ! The current finish is a medium gray original untouched patina, with blue only present in the most protected areas.

This Colt Single Action, Serial No. 3964X presents an interesting characteristic found in Colt Factory Letters from the 33,000 – 39,000 Serial Range. Colt did not Factory Nickel plate any revolvers until 1877, the year of this Colt. Prior to that date all were sent to Adams Plating Co. Previous to that ALL SAA’s were Blue Finish. If you review many factory letters of this serial range, you find finish “blue”, which based on physical revolvers not correct. Perhaps a communications breakdown within the process of shipping. Anyway, this Colt letters Blue, .45, Barrel & Stocks unlisted. It was shipped on November 3rd, 1877, to a New York dealer, with a quantity of 25. This is a New York engraved Nickel finished revolver, with the style of Cuno Helfricht. Regrettably, the barrel has been reduced from 7-1/2 inches to 5-1/8 inches. The SAA has been engraved at a high level of quality, close to maximum coverage.. Then fitted ( 1877 ) with one piece Ivory grips. I might add the grips construction is as done in that period.

” THE GREAT WILDERNESS”, This is what this area was called. Geographically the town of Hamburg ( named after Hamburg Germany, as many names in Arkansas were, like Stuttgart etc…) sat at a confluence of rivers and later Railroads. This 5-1/2 inch SAA , Serial No.11084X, left the Colt factory as a Nickel finish in 1884. Currently you can see about 15-20% nickel still present, mostly barrel, ejector tube and back strap. ALL factory markings are vividly clear, and ALL serial numbers are matching. The Eagle H/R grips show only normal hand wear.

This Single Action has tremendous eye appeal, with 96%+ original Factory Nickel Plate finish. The Ivory grips are superb in color and condition, and have been with this Colt for 130 years, Serial No. 15307X has another unique feature. It is a Black Powder revolver and is chambered in .41 Colt. During this era a long barrel .41 was very scarce, most all were 4-3/4 inch barrels. This one is 5-1/2 inches ! This Single Action saw limited use and undoubtedly excellent storage to make it to 2023 in this condition. Not only is the exterior excellent but the working actions are perfect: safety cock, half cock, full cock and a perfect release to fire. The cylinder rotates , indexes, and locks tight. NO mechanical problems. The 130 years old Ivory grips have a “creamy mustard” patina and appearance and are free of any damage.

There is way more significance to this Colt, Serial No. 10712X. It was a participant in one of the most vicious gun battles, involving the arrest and death of George Weightman. He was known as “Red Buck”, and was the MOST wanted man in the Territory. He was so demented than Bill Doolin threw him out of the Indian Ty.gang !

All the details are contained in pages of the details of the event of March 1896. Three USD Marshals, Ventioner, Quillen and Holcomb attempted to arrest this Gang of Miller and “Red Buck” near Arapaho Ok. Ty. During this attempt a vicious gun battle erupted. One gang member, Miller had his right hand blown completely off, and all but two fingers on his left hand blown off. USD Marshal Ventioner was shot through the lower abdomen, by Red Buck right in front of the dug out. Holcomb was attempting to drag him to safety before Buck finished him off with a 2nd shot. Just then Red Buck fell dead with a shot thru the head, accredited to Bill Quillen. However, later it was said Ventioner shot Buck while laying there being dragged, HIGHLY improbable ! Note: A Minco, OK Newspaper published an article in 1896, stating Quillen had filed for the Reward for killing “Red Buck”. Either way this Colt was in the hands of Bill Quillen at the wild shootout in March 1896, Oklahoma Ty. There are many many more pages about this man and his history, the purchaser can read at his leisure. This Colt has about 60% or more original nickel plate finish, the balance is a soft gray patina. The cylinder represents the major loss of nickel and most of the patina. The Eagle Grips show normal wear and have crisp images and no damage. MOST IMPORTANT: despite it’s exciting life it remains 100% mechanically correct in every working action. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present. Due Note: 3 notches are present in 3 locations ! butt, trigger guard edge, and very end of the barrel past the sight !! With this Colt, they are the REAL deal !