Manufactured in 1940 and is one of only 625 standard frame first generation SAAs chambered in .357 Magnum (see David Brown's "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army," page 182). Although introduced in 1935 towards the end of first generation production, the .357 Magnum cartridge was popular, including with highway and law enforcement agencies looking for a powerful cartridge that could with proper loads stop a car by damaging its engine. The .357 Magnum was the last cartridge Colt introduced to the first generation line of SAAs. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold to W.S. Darley Co. of Chicago, Illinois, and shipped to Hugh Higgins of Colorado Springs, Colorado, on December 3, 1940 with a 4 2/4 inch barrel, blue finish, and stocks not listed. This was a single gun shipment. It is not often that we catalog Colt SAAs shipped to an individual. Period sources indicate a Hugh Y. Higgins (1899-1977) served as a Colorado Springs Police Department officer from 1926 to 1960 and from 1961 to 1970, he was a district court bailiff. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and '"COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357" on the left side. The frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard is marked "4" above the Colt factory triangle proof. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame and right side of the trigger guard, back strap under the grip panel, and back of both grip panels. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Excellent, retaining 97% plus original blue and vivid casehardened finish with slight muzzle and edge wear and light cylinder drag lines. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional example of a Colt Single Action Army .357 Revolver that would be hard to improve upon.