This is an extremely rare documented example of a first generation Colt Single Action Army revolver with factory verified .45 Long Colt smoothbore barrel. On page 124 of "The Peacemaker and Its Rivals" author John E. Parsons listed production of the Colt Single Action Army by caliber between 1873 and 1940. Parson's search of Colt factory records identified a total of only four .45 Colt Single Action Army and two Bisley Model revolvers manufactured with smoothbore barrels. Parson's Colt Single Action production totals by caliber were also reproduced on page 252 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson. Further information is provided by author David M. Brown in his book "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army" on page 66. Brown states that the six .45 smoothbore SAAs "were made on special order for Pawnee Bill and Buffalo Bill, and were used in their Wild West Shows for the breaking of aerial targets (glass balls) tossed into the air and smashed in flight when hit by the tiny shot pellets with which these cartridges were loaded." This rare revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes it as: " Caliber: .45/c, Barrel Length: 7 1/2", Finish: Blue, Type of Stocks: Not Listed" and "Special Features: Smoothbore". The letter further states this revolver was shipped to W.J. Pelty & Company on December 11, 1912, as a one gun shipment. The revolver has the Colt commercial high polish blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, back strap and trigger guard. The frame, loading gate and hammer are color casehardened. The trigger and screws are niter blue. The ejector rod is the late oval pattern, and the hammer has borderless knurling on the spur. The two-piece grips are black checkered hard rubber embossed with the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval border. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in a single line. "45 COLT" is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel, and "45" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel immediately in front of the frame. The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt two-line/three-date patent markings followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The Colt "triangle/VP" proof mark is stamped on the left side of the front trigger guard bow, and a "1" assembler's mark is stamped on the left rear bow. The assembly number "672" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate and on the rear face of the right side of the frame beneath the grip. The serial number is visible on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. "085" is scratched on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. There are no markings on the cylinder. The four .45 caliber Colt Single Action Army revolvers with smoothbore barrels are among the rarest of all Single Action variations.

Very fine. This ultra rare Single Action retains 90% of the original blue and color casehardened finish. The barrel has 90% plus of the commercial blue finish with sharp markings. Wear is limited to some finish loss at the muzzle and several small scratches on the underside at the muzzle and behind the ejector rod head. The finish along the outside edge of the ejector housing is worn and has a smooth gray patina with several small spots of age discoloration. The dull blue finish on protected areas of the ejector housing remains. The cylinder retains 85% of the commercial blue finish with turn marks and a small spot of shallow pitting in one flute. The trigger guard and back strap have 80% of the blue finish with wear on the edges and contact points. The frame, hammer and loading gate retain 90% of the original case colors with crisp frame markings. The trigger has most of the niter blue finish, and traces of fire blue are present on the frame screws. The grips are very good overall; the only significant wear is a shallow (1/2 inch) chip on the bottom of the left grip at the junction with the back strap. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is an extraordinary, documented example of one of the rarest variations of the Colt Single Action Army revolver, a .45 Colt caliber revolver with factory smoothbore barrel. It is also listed by serial number as being exempted by the ATF. Quite a rare revolver!