An included factory letter indicates that there was no shipping information available for this revolver but that it was manufactured c. 1892. Also includes an October 26, 1998, dated Ron Graham letter discussing the rarity of a factory original 12 inch barrel on a Colt Single Action Army and theorizing that the barrel on this revolver was originally meant for "Buntline" 28815 based on the "8815" number on the barrel under the ejector housing. That revolver was in .44-40 and was shipped on June 18, 1881, to G.B. Johnston with no barrel length listed and was within the 28800-28830 range of known Buntline revolvers. He further theorizes that the barrel was "taken from an assembled, or nearly completed, revolver, which the factory had re-designated the chambering to be .44-40, was finally used to complete a 'special order', standard frame, 12 inch Single Action in 1892!...to learn Single Action 147588, a twelve inch, 'Buntline' barreled, standard frame revolver, assembled during the early 1890s, had survived the rigors of time to become a tremendously important piece of Colt Single Action Army history - this epitomizes the excitement of collecting firearms." Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Good with untouched original mottled gray and brown patina and pitting throughout, replaced ejector housing, and general moderate overall wear including smoothing of the checkering on the grips. Mechanically fine. The later production modern replacement shoulder stock is very good with filled areas at the heel and toe and mounting wear. Overall, a truly fascinate antique Colt Single Action Army with the extremely rare long "Buntline" barrel.