The ejector-less Colt "Sheriff's Model" Single Action Army Revolver is one of the rarest and most sought after variations of the legendary Peacemaker. On page 357, "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895" the authors list just 8 ".38 Colt Plain Revolvers without ejectors" and 3 1/2 inch barrels out of 18 total without ejectors. On page 326, they note, "just under 600 ejector-less Single Action Army revolvers were produced in all calibers from 1882 to the 1930s." That makes this revolver a representative of less than 2% of the total ejector-less revolvers and around .0022% of total First Generation production and thus among the rarest of all Colt revolvers. This revolver was manufactured in 1897, and the included factory letter indicates it was not shipped until June 1, 1898, and lists the revolver in .38 caliber with a 3 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and rubber stocks when shipped to "F.H. Woodworth" (address not available). While collectors and shooters differentiate between the original .38 Colt with a heeled bullet (.38 Short Colt) and the later .38 Colt with a inside lubricated bullet (.38 Long Colt), the factory recorded them both as .38 caliber or .38 Colt in the ledgers and always stamped the revolvers "38 COLT". Since the cylinders are bored straight through, this revolver will chamber both the .38 Short and .38 Long Colt cartridges. The latter was notably the same cartridge used in the U.S. contract Colt Model 1892 revolvers and was thus the standard U.S. military handgun ammunition of the Spanish-American War. Given the revolver's caliber, this rare revolver may have been special ordered by a soldier or military officer, especially given that it was ordered during the Spanish-American War. Though the shipping address was not available, the revolver was likely shipped to sporting and hardware dealers F.H. Woodworth & Co. of 704 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The firm was owned Frank H. Woodworth (1864-1928) and in 1898 "on account of immense trade they have received from the army, found it necessary to establish" a branch store at Chickamauga Park where they carried "a full stock of Hardware, tinware and general military camp supplies." In June, they advertised in The Daily Times "Colt's Army Revolver. Holsters, cartridges belts, leggins, cutlery, barber supplies, baseball goods, etc. We invite members of the army to inspect our line." During the Spanish-American War, Chickamauga Park (Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park) was utilized as a major training area for troops from the southern states, and thousands of troops passed through the city. Unfortunately, we do not have documentation regarding its original owner, but it is certainly exciting to imagine the revolver being used by a southerner serving in the U.S. Army in Cuba, Puerto Rico, or the Philippines. The revolver has the distinctive Sheriff's Model fluted "black powder" frame. The barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, and backstrap are blued; the frame, hammer, and loading gate have a color casehardened finish; and the two-piece, black hard rubber stocks are checkered and have the Rampant Colt trademark embossed in an oval at the top. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line Hartford address, and the left side is roll-stamped: "38 COLT". The caliber designation "38" is also stamped on the bottom of the barrel. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the three-date, two-line patent marking followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "806". A "G" inspection mark is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The serial number "168450" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, the trigger guard, and the backstrap, and the matching partial serial number "450" is etched on the inside of both stocks. The short barreled, ejector-less Sheriff's Model Single Action revolvers with the distinctive fluted frame are scarce and desirable. Provenance: The TTT Collection

Fine. The revolver retains 50% of the original blue finish and 30% original case colors. There are particularly strong case colors in the protected areas. The finish shows moderate handling wear, and the worn areas display smooth gray and brown patina. The grips are also fine with some age fading and some light handling wear. The action functions fine, but the hammer will not hold at half-cock. This is a fine example of a rare and desirable documented Colt Sheriff's Model Single Action revolver.