Manufactured in 1898. The accompanying factory letter addressed to noted firearms dealer and expert Herb Glass, Sr. states that records for this revolver were not found but two flattop revolvers in close serial number proximity (175005 and 175006) were listed with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .44 S&W, blue finish, "extra long" checkered wood grips, and flattop frame when sold and shipped to John R. Hegeman (address unknown) on May 10, 1898 and December 23, 1898 (sic). John R. Hegeman, Jr. (1872-1923) was a noted pioneering Colt collector who had great connections within the Colt company that afforded him the opportunity to own many pre-production prototype and serial number 1 guns. As one Colt researcher put it, "He assembled the finest Colt collection known outside of the factory's own holdings." Many of his Colts ended up in some of the finest gun collections over the years. The features factory documented on serial numbers 175005 and 175006 match the features on this flattop, including the elongated walnut target grips. The accompanying letter from L.C. Jackson of Jackson Arms states the revolver is all original and was purchased by Jackson from Col. Francis W. Parker, Jr., a long time shooter and former NRA president. Jackson believed that Parker "bought the revolver new in the early days of his shooting career." The revolver has the one-line Hartford address on top and "FOR 44 S&W CTG." on the left side. Colt records indicate that 51 Colt Target Model revolvers were chambered for the .44 S&W cartridge (see David Brown's "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army," page 104). The revolver remains in its original configuration, a rarity pointed out by Colt expert and author David Brown: "This caliber was hard to find in its original state. There are more .44 S&W calibers that have been made out of some other caliber by enterprising gun smiths than were ever made by Colt." The seldom encountered nicely figured, oversized and diamond checkered pattern walnut factory target grips add to its rarity and desirability. Both grip panels are numbered ("5003") to the gun. The revolver has the distinctive flattop frame with dovetail mounted target rear sight and block-mounted removable nickel silver target front sight. The left side of the frame is stamped with the two-line patent dates marking followed by a circled Rampant Colt. Matching full serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, and butt. The revolver correctly has the Colt high polish commercial blue finish. The revolver is pictured and identified in Graham, Kopec and Moore's "A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver" (1st edition) on page XXVIII. Provenance: The L.C. Jackson Collection: Herb Glass, The Gerald Fox Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr.Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine, retaining 80% plus bright original high polish blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. Half of the blue finish remains on the loading gate and ejector round housing. The grips are excellent with some minor dings on the butt and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. A high condition and rare Colt Flattop Target Model Single Action Army .44 S&W Revolver with highly desirable and seldom encountered elongated target grips.