Offered here is an extremely rare and very desirable example of a black powder Colt Sheriff's Model Single Action Army Revolver. In "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895" the authors stressed the rarity of the ejectorless SAAs as a whole (barrel lengths ranged from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches in the study) and state that "just under 600 ejectorless Single Action Army revolvers were produced in all calibers from 1882 to the 1930s." Based on the authors' research Colt only manufactured 1 plain ejectorless SAA with a 2 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber and nickel finish in the 1-164100 serial number range (page 326). Thus, making this SAA in the aforementioned serial number range the only one in this configuration. In his accompanying letter renowned Colt historian and author Ron Graham considered this 2 1/2 inch Sheriff’s Model an “absolute ultimate”. Graham noted, “Research has revealed that, as of this writing [January 1997], only three of those nine factory listed 2 1/2 inch Sheriff’s Models are known to have survived. Rarity here is obvious.” The ejectorless black powder frame Colt Sheriff's Model Single Action Army Revolver is one of the rarest and most sought after variations of the legendary Peacemaker. This revolver is photographed and described on page XXVIII of "A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver: Thirty Year Edition 1976-2006" by Graham, Kopec, and Moore. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on September 5, 1885, to E.E. Menges & Co. of Kansas City, Missouri, and confirms the rare 2 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber and desirable nickel finish with the type of stocks not listed, a common indication of walnut. This was the sole gun in the shipment. The left side of the barrel correctly has the two-line Hartford address. Graham noted in the letter that the front sight is of “standard configuration for 7 1/2 inch barrel of that mid-1880s production period.” The left side of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates. The caliber designation “45 CAL” is featured on the left side of the trigger guard. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Fitted with a walnut grip. These revolvers were desirable on the western frontier for compact firepower, and despite their name associated with a keeper of the peace, would have been as highly valued in the hands of an outlaw or rancher. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Fine as an extreme Colt rarity, retaining 60% plus untouched original nickel finish with an attractive dark aged patina on the balance. The grip is very good retaining traces of the original varnish and showing a few handling marks and high edge wear. The action functions, however the hammer has only three clicks. As Ron Graham put it, “This unique, factory original, Single Action Army revolver variation is without question a Colt firearm ultimate!”