Colt "Pre-War/Post-War" Single Action Army Revolver with original factory carton, bill of sale and factory documents. The serial number of this revolver indicates that it was manufactured in 1940 just before Colt discontinued production of the 1st Generation Single Action Army revolvers. The Colt factory letter states that it was factory shipped to MAJ. F.E. Smith of San Antonio, Texas, on October 19, 1965. The revolver has the Colt post-war blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame and loading gate have a vivid casehardened finish. The trigger and hammer are blued and the sides of the hammer are polished bright. The black two-piece hard rubber grips are checkered with the Rampant Colt trademark embossed in an oval at the top. The bottom of the frame is stamped with the pre-war serial number "357709". The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45" and the right side is stamped: "COLT'S MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." in one line above the ejector housing. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt 'three-date in two-line' patent markings followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "852". The revolver is complete with the original black cardboard carton with gold-embossed "COLT" logo on the lid and gold end-label. The end-label is marked: "Colt's Single Action/Army Revolver" in two lines with "45 COLT" caliber markings and "5 1/2 INCH BBL" marking on the right side. The serial number "357709" is written on the bottom of the carton in red grease-pencil. The inside of the carton has a green lining with "Colt Single Action Army" and the Rampant Colt trademark printed on the inside in gold. The carton is complete with: (1) a black fiber cleaning rod in the original tan wrapping, (2) yellow "WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD", (3) orange-printed "WARRANTY", (4) pamphlet entitled "Handling the Handgun", (5) light green card entitled "READ FOR YOUR PROTECTION", (6) National Rifle Association "BUSINESS REPLY CARD" and (7) a receipt with the revolver serial number. In "A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER" authors Kopec, Graham and Moore state that "Many officials and dignitaries from business and government were presented with "pre-war post-war SAs." This revolver was shipped to a U.S. Air Force Officer directly from Colt and may be one of those special revolvers.

The revolver is in new and unfired condition and retains 100% of the original blue and vivid special presentation grade casehardened finish. The only visible wear is a very faint turn mark on the cylinder and some minor scuff marks on the sides of the hammer. The carton is in fair to good condition; the black cover is worn on the edges. The right edges of the lid are missing and the gold embossing on the lid is faded. The cleaning rod and various cards and pamphlets are in nearly new condition. This is a rare example of a "Pre-War/Post-War" Single Action Army revolver in unfired condition with the original carton and papers.