Manufactured in 1894 the introduction year of what Colt called the "Special Target", "Model of 1894" revolver. The Colt Single Action Army Flattop revolver is one of the most highly sought after models by Colt collectors. Colt only produced 925 and only manufactured 84 in the 450 Eley caliber making this Flattop Target Model very rare. The top of the barrel is marked "COLT' S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.", the left side is marked " 450 ELEY." and the two line, three patent dates are marked on the left side of the frame followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The top strap is engraved "E.J. CHURCHILL/8 AGER ST STRAND. LONDON. WC./(No567)". E.J. Churchill made high quality double barrel shotguns and wrote many books on shooting. British proofs are present on the underside of the barrel ahead of the cylinder pin and similar markings are on the cylinder flutes. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Removable blade front sight and dovetailed "V" notch rear sight, checkered trigger, all blue finish with hammer sides polished and fitted with checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt/American Eagle relief grips. The accompanying factory letter to famous author/collector David M. Brown dated June 22, 1961 verifies the .450 Eley caliber, barrel length, blue finish, rubber grips, "Target or flat top" frame and that it was shipped as 1 of 18 to the Colt London Agency, London, England on May 28, 1894. The letter also states there regrets for not knowing who "E. J. Churchill was. This exact magnificent Colt Flattop Target is photgraphed and described on pages 40-43 of "THE 36 CALIBERS OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY" by David M. Brown. Complete in a canvas covered hardcase with leather trim and dark red felt lining. The inside of the lid has a London Colt label affixed with some unreadable pencil writing on it. There are four compartments in the case.

Excellent. The revolver retains 80% plus original blue finish with overall thinning and edge wear, a drag line on the cylinder and a smooth gray patina on the grip straps. The grips have faded to brown and remain fine with a period applied "X" cut into the bottom of each panel. Overall the checkering is crisp. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. There is a piece of each leather strap and some of the leather trim absent on the otherwise fine case. There is some soiling on the exterior and the lining, as well as some moderate contact wear.