This highly sought after Colt "Pre-War/Post-War" Single Action Army revolver was assembled c. 1947-48 using pre-war manufactured parts. According to "Colt's Single Action Army Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model" by Don Wilkerson on page 19, there were only 338 pre-World War II manufactured Colt Single Action revolvers assembled after World War II, which comprise the group of revolvers referred to as Pre-War/Post-War by collectors. This revolver is one of only one hundred sixty-three produced in this configuration (see page 28). The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to Richard A. Sherburne of Amherst, Massachusetts, on October 3, 1972 with a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .38 Special, blue finish, and hard rubber grips. This was a nine gun shipment. The letter also confirms its "Pre-War/Post-War" status: "Frame and parts were manufactured prior to World War II, but were assembled on February 13, 1948 and held at the Colt factory until shipped on October 3, 1972." The letter also confirms that this SAA was among the last six numbers of the First Generation model held at the factory. The selling of these Pre-War/Post War revolvers during this time directly coincided with the restarting of the production line for the Second Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers in the early 1950s. Shipped in 1972 meant that this First Generation left the factory during the last years of Second Generation production, which ended in 1975. The last Pre-War/Post-War revolver was sold by the factory at auction in 1980. The barrel is marked with the one-line Hartford address on top and ""COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 38 SPECIAL" on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory triangle proof and "F," indicating it was assembled by Colt Master Gunsmith Harry St. John. The matching assembly number "230" appears on the loading gate and rear of the frame. The matching full serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and both grip panels. The matching partial serial number "12" is stamped on the cylinder. Provenance: The Albert and Paula Brichaux Collection; Property of a Gentleman