This Colt Single Action Army revolver was manufactured in 1929. The included factory letter lists the revolver in ".38 Colt" with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, and nickel finish and under special features notes it is furnished with a 3 1/2 lb. trigger pull. It was shipped to Buckeye Cycle Company, Akron, Ohio, March 12, 1931. This revolver has black checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt motif in an oval at the top. The butt is fitted with a special order factory lanyard loop, not mentioned in the letter. The revolver is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge, and the cylinder has beveled chamber mouths which indicate that it was manufactured for the .38 S&W Special cartridge rather than the .38 Colt Special cartridge. Colt Single Action revolvers chambered for the .38 Colt Cartridge had chamber mouths with 90 degree shoulders. The "Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson states that 25 Colt Single Action Army revolvers were chambered for the .38 S&W Special cartridge and 82 were chambered for the .38 Colt Special cartridge. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with fourth style barrel marking "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL" introduced in 1929. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the three-date/two-line patent marking followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The left front trigger guard bow is stamped with a "1" assembler's mark over the Colt triangle "VP" proofmark. A "5" inspection mark is stamped in the hammer well. The assembly number "779" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame and the right side of the trigger guard and back strap underneath the grip. The partial serial number "57" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. The full serial number is etched on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 95% plus of the much frosted original nickel-plated finish. The only other significant wear is some minor flaking on the face of the cylinder. There is a light drag line on the cylinder. The nickel-plating on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and sides of the cylinder exhibits minimal handling wear. Mechanically excellent.