4215

EXTREMELY RARE (1 of 44) COLT FIRST GEN SAA

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 27,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE (1 of 44) COLT FIRST GEN SAA
REVOLVER CHAMBERED IN 45 ACP EX WILKERSON COLLECTION. Cal. 45 ACP. S# 354848. Bbl. 5 1/2" with blade front sight. Mfg 1933. "36 CALIBERS OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY" by David Brown states on page 44 "The Colt S.A.A. .45 A.C.P. was first made in 1924 in special orders. Almost all were shipped to men in some branch of the Armed Forces." & "The only revolvers made in this caliber by Colt were Colt Single Action Armys, and they are extremely valuable to any Colt S.A.A. collection." Also stated in his book is the production number of the 45 ACP which was a meager 44 in total. While no records are available for this particular revolver, known serial numbers in the range are 354516 (shipped with extra 45acp cyl), 354633 (pictured in Brown's book, 354935, 355408 and 356423. Stamped on left side of bbl. "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 45". Page 169 of "A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER" by Graham, Kopec & Moore states "It is important to note that Colt's did not differentiate between barrel caliber markings of the .45 Colt and the 45 ACP" & "We can only assume management felt that for such a limited order chambering the expense was not warranted". Blued bbl., grip frame & 6 shot fluted cyl. Case hardened frame & hammer. Matching numbers appear inside 2 piece checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt grips, right side of trigger guard frame & backstrap (under grips). CONDITION: fine overall. Blued components retain approx 90% finish with light muzzle wear, scattered light scratches & thinning to backstrap. Frame & hammer retain 80-90% bright original case hardened color. Grips turning brown with age but otherwise very good with only the faintest of wear evident. Bright shiny bore with crisp rifling. A very fine example of the rare 45 ACP Colt SAA. PROVENANCE: Don & Carol Wilkerson Collection. (24-2135/BH). CURIO. $18,000-27,000