Offered here is an extreme rarity in Colt SAA collecting as it is one of only an estimated 192 standard frame SAAs chambered in .32 Colt (see David Brown's "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army," page 202). Moreover, it is one of only two nickel plated black powder frame SAAs with a special order factory 6 inch barrel in .32 Colt. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on July 23, 1887 to Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, and confirms the the incredibly rare features: 6 inch barrel in .32 caliber, nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks. This was a single gun shipment. Colt factory records show that SAA barrel lengths ranged from 2 inches all the way up to 16 inches. However, 3, 4 3/4, 5 1/2, and 7 1/2 inches were the standard barrel lengths, making all other lengths built to suit custom orders. In research presented in "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895," only 2 nickel plated, 6 inch barrel, 32 Colt caliber SAAs falling in the 1-164100 serial number range are listed as being manufactured by Colt (page 365). In the aforementioned publication, the authors note "that in reality there are less revolvers chambered for the .32 Colt cartridge than indicated" in their book as the count includes factory records listing either ".32/c" or ".32 Colt." The authors explained, "Further study indicates that a number of revolvers recorded as .32/c were actually chambered for the S&W target cartridge. A lesser number listed as .32/c were chambered for the S&W revolver cartridge." While there are likely less revolvers chambered for .32 Colt in the official count there are more revolvers chambered for one of the .32 S&W cartridges. This revolver certainly makes for an extremely rare and interesting antique SAA! The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top. The left side of the trigger guard has the caliber designation "32 CAL." The left side of the frame has the standard three-line patent dates marking. The revolver wears a set of checkered Rampant Colt/eagle hard rubber grips. The revolver is pictured and identified on page 58 of "A Study of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver." Provenance: The Mel Guy Collection; The Charles Marx Collection

Very fine, retaining 70% original nickel plating with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The grips are fine with some handling marks and some softened checkering. Mechanically excellent. This nickel plated, 6 inch barrel SAA in .32 Colt is an extreme rarity in Colt collecting missing from even the most advanced public or private collections. It is without a doubt a crown jewel in SAA collecting.