COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER FACTORY LETTER 1877

NEW YORK ENGRAVED, ONE PIECE IVORY GRIPS

PRICE: $7,850

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.

Somewhere in time an owner felt a checkered grip would help, his version of checkering, still a beautiful pair of original 1 piece Ivory grips.
At this time about20%-25% of the original nickel finish is present, the balance is an original untouched natural gray patina. The engraving is ALL present and strong, no removal from wear, except for the cylinder. It is present there, but very faint. This Colt was USED and carried it's entire working life, before being retired to collection. ALL parts are original, ALL factory applied markings are present and legible. It has a totally correct working action: cocks, locks, and of course correct cylinder rotation. A period engraved SAA, that was engraved and carried. In passing, this Colt was discovered in the San Antonio Texas area.