Manufactured in 1940 and chambered in .44 Special. Per Colt expert and author David Brown, only 506 standard first generation SAAs were chambered in .44 Special (see "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army," page 100). Having its serial number factory applied in 1940, this is an example of a scarce pre-World War II Colt Single Action Army revolver that was later assembled and finished after the war and kept at the factory. The pre-war/post-war SAAs are found in the 356,000 and 357,000 serial number range, many were used by Colt for advertising and public relations purposes, and they have been thoroughly discussed in several of the Colt Single Action books. The barrel has the correct markings for a .44 Special SAA manufactured after 1931: the one-line Hartford address on top and "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44 SPECIAL" on the left side. Matching assembly number "357" appears on the back of the frame and loading lever. The matching serial number appears on the frame and right side of the trigger guard and back strap. Provenance: The Don and Carol Wilkerson Collection

Excellent plus, retaining 99% plus original blue and vivid casehardened finishes with limited handling marks. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.