While Colt Single Action Army revolvers were often chambered for the same cartridges as Winchester's popular repeaters, they were not commonly chambered for cartridges by Smith & Wesson, their main competitors in the handgun market. This revolver is one of the exceptions. It is one of only an estimated 506 Single Action Army revolvers manufactured for .44 S&W Special per "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army" by David M. Brown. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was manufactured circa 1927 and there is no shipping record for this particular firearm. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address while the rare "RUSSIAN AND/S&W SPECIAL" followed by "44" marking is on the left. The standard two-line patent date marking and Rampant Colt are on the left of the frame, and "3/VP" is marked on the left of the trigger guard. The revolver wears a set of silver Rampant Colt medallion grips featuring a relief steer horn carved on the right panel, and these factory grips which are numbered to the gun are a rarely encountered special order feature. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, right side of the grip straps, and inside each grip panel. The original Colt factory box is numbered to the gun and features an end label listing the 4 3/4 inch barrel, .44 S&W cartridge chambering, grip material, carved grip, and nickel finish. Provenance: The TTT Collection

Excellent, retaining 98% plus bright original nickel finish with some handling marks and faint cylinder drag line. The grips are also excellent with crisp carving and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with a couple discreet glue repairs, some staining, and nearly all of the clear labels remaining. This dual caliber .44 Russian/.44 S&W Special Colt SAA with its steer head carved grip is in exceptional condition and would be nearly impossibly to improve upon. Along with its original box, this SAA will certainly make a grand statement to any Colt collection no matter how advanced.