This Colt Single Action Army Flattop Target Model revolver has "Extra Long" walnut target grips and includes a Colt factory letter. The letter describes the pistol as: "Colt Single Action Flattop Target Revolver", caliber .38-40 with blue finish and states that it was shipped to Albert Foster Jr., New York, New York, on December 1, 1909. (no mention of the elongated target grip, possibly a factory error.) Albert Foster Jr. was Colt's factory representative in New York and a famous Colt collector. In the early 1900s, he acquired some of the finest known examples of the Single Action Army revolver. Many of these pistols were rare variations and calibers. This revolver is one of those guns. Mr. Foster's collection of rare Colt revolvers is discussed on page 122 of "A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER" by Graham, Kopec and Moore. The revolver is one of only 19 Flattop Target Models chambered for the .38-40 WCF cartridge and one of the very few Flattop Target Models fitted with special order "Extra Long" target grips. The "Extra Long" target grips were a predecessor to the Bisley Model grips. The grips are described by R.L. Wilson on page 261 of "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS". Wilson describes the "Extra Long" target grips as "an extreme rarity". The revolver has a blue finish with color casehardened hammer and niter blue frame screws and trigger. The revolver has the distinctive flat top strap and sides, dovetail mounted target rear sight, block-mounted and adjustable target front sight with steel blade and bead. The hammer has borderless knurling on the spur. The "Extra Long" two piece factory walnut target grips are fully checkered and have two grip screws. What appears to be the partial serial number "911" is written in pencil on the inside of both grips but the markings are very faint and not fully legible. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in a single-line. The caliber, "38 W.C.F." is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel. "41" is stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the frame. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt three-date/two-line patent markings followed by the circled Rampant Colt trademark. The Colt "Triangle/VP" proofmark is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. A "W" assembly mark is stamped on the left rear trigger guard bow. "O" is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "6". The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Provenance: The Albert Foster, Jr. Collection; The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Excellent. The revolver retains 90% of the bright original high polish blue finish. Most of the blue finish is present on the barrel, ejector housing, frame and cylinder. Wear is limited to some minor handling marks. The grip strap and back strap show moderate handling wear; most of the blue finish has faded to an even, silver-gray patina. The hammer retains nearly all of the casehardened finish with vivid case colors. The trigger and frame screws have 85% of the niter blue finish. The "Extra Long" checkered walnut grips are excellent with sharp checkering and all of the semi-gloss oil finish. Wear is limited to some minor handling marks on the bottom of the grips. All of the markings are crisp. The action functions perfectly. This is an extremely rare variation of the scarce and very desirable Colt Single Action Flattop Target Model Revolver. The Colt factory letter that documents shipment to Albert Foster who assembled one of the earliest and finest collections of rare Colt Single Action revolvers gives this piece special provenance as one of the rarest variations of the Colt Single Action Army revolver.