Offered here is a rare pre-war/post war Single Action Army revolver chambered in .38 Special. It had its serial number factory applied in 1940. The pre-war/post-war SAAs are found in the 356,000 and 357,000 serial number range. Based on research by author Don Wilkerson, presented in "Colt's Single Action Army Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model", a total of only 163 pre-war/post-war revolvers were built in this configuration. What is particularly interesting about this example is that the included factory letter lists this revolver as not shipped until October 3, 1972, when it was part of a nine gun shipment in .38 Special with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and grips not listed. It was shipped to Dick Sherburne in Amherst, Massachusetts. The remarks state that "Subject revolver is a pre-war/post-war model. The frame and components were manufactured prior to World War II with assembly being accomplished in the post-war period by Master Gunsmiths Harry St. John and Al DeJohn. The majority of these revolvers were utilized by the Colt Company for advertising and public relations purposes." Richard A. Sherburne, Inc. was a distributor in Massachusetts at the time. The revolver has the standard blade front sight on the blued barrel which is marked with the one-line Hartford address on top and COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL" on the left side. The casehardened frame has the two-line patent marking followed by the Rampant Colt and assembly number "271" on the loading gate and rear of the frame. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, both grip straps, and the inside of both grip panels.

Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original blue and vibrant case colors with a few scattered light handling marks and a few very light cylinder rotation marks. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered very light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.