This is a fine example of a Colt Single Action Army revolver that was manufactured in 1909. The top of the barrel is marked with the two line address, the left side is marked "38 W.C.F." and the left side of the frame is marked with the two line, three patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The underside of the barrel has the factory caliber designation: "41" (38-40 WCF and 41Long Colt shared the same bore diameter). The left front trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt "triangle/VP" proofmark and a "W" assembler's mark is stamped on the left rear bow. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The loading gate is marked with the assembly number "2876". Blue finish with casehardened frame and hammer, blade front and frame notch rear sights and fitted with checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt in an oval at the top. The partial serial number "8737" is scratched into the inside of each grip panel. The revolver is accompanied by an old bill of sale that indicates the revolver was originally owned by the legendary Oklahoma Lawman Bill Tilghman. The bill of sale is typed on a Civil War Paymaster receipt dated March 13, 1862 and states: "This 38 W.F.C. Colt Serial NO. 308737 was bought in Vernon, Texas, in 1910 by Bill Tilghman U.S. Marshall, paid $5.00 for this Gun. It has been fired 6 times, I took it to Fredrick, Okla. in late I910. I sold this gun to Mr. Jack Glover in 1959." The bill of sale is signed "J.L. Thomason" and was sworn and notarized on May 9, 1959. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, barrel length, blue finish with grips as "Not Listed" and that it was shipped as 1 of 2 to Charles J. Godfrey Company in New York, New York on April 30, 1909. William "Bill" Tilghman was a buffalo hunter, Indian fighter, cavalry scout and lawman. He was associated with Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp in Dodge City, Kansas and subsequently served as U.S. Deputy Marshall in the Indian and Oklahoma Territories. President Theodore Roosevelt stated, "Tilghman would charge Hell with a bucket." Tilghman gained fame as a lawman in the Oklahoma Territory and was subsequently elected to the Oklahoma State Senate. Bill Tilghman was killed in the line of duty in 1924 while serving as the Marshall of Cromwell, Oklahoma.

Very fine. The revolver retains 60% of the slightly faded original blue and casehardened finish, showing thinning on the left side of the barrel, the lower edge of the ejector housing and on the grip straps. There is minor edge wear on the trigger guard and some holster wear on the cylinder behind the flutes. The screw heads retain nearly all of the original niter blue finish and are free from screwdriver battering. Most of the case colors are distinct with scattered smooth silver gray patina. The grips are very fine with a barely noticeable hairline crack in the right panel and crisp checkering. The markings are clear. The action is tight and functions fine. This is a fine example of a early 20th Century Colt Single Action Army Revolver that is associated with a legendary Oklahoma lawman. More research is needed on this Colt Single Action Army.