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LOT 268
Excellent Documented Colt Pre-War/Post-War
Single Action Army Revolver with Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 357515, 38 special cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Having its serial number applied in 1940,
this is an excellent 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 until sold in 1972 as part of a dealer only auction put on by Colt. These pre-war/
post-war revolvers have been thoroughly discussed in several of the Colt Single Action books.
The most noteworthy are by John Kopec and the other by
Don Wilkerson. This post-war revolver was numbered in the pre-war serial range, and many were used by Colt for advertising and public
relations purposes. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 5 1/2 inch barrel in
.38 Special, blue finish and its status as a pre-war/post-war SAA. As typical the type of
stocks are not listed. The gun was part of an 18 unit shipment sent on October 3, 1972
to Cherry’s Sporting Goods, Geneseo, Illinois. The letter goes on to state, “Subject revolver was part of the remaining inventory of 1st Generation Single Action Army revolvers
which were auctioned to selected dealers on a sealed bid basis. Bob Cherry was successful in obtaining eighteen of these revolvers through this auction process.”The barrel has
the one-line Hartford address on top and “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 38 SPECIAL” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt, and the trigger guard has the Colt factory triangle proof and “F”. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Includes the original Colt black box numbered to the gun, bore brush, and “Shooting Suggestions.”
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% plus original blue and vivid case colors with slight light spotting on the back strap, a few scratches and faint traces of a cylinder drag line. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some fading and some scattered wear. An outstanding pre-war/post-war SAA with original black box!
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 3,250 - 4,750
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 269
Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Pearl Grips and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 354770, 45 LC cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, pearl grips. The
accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as having a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .45 Colt, blue finish, and stocks not listed when shipped to
Shapleigh Hardware Co. St. Louis, Missouri on September 19, 1932. Fixed blade front and notch rear sights, barrel marked with the one line address
on top and one-line model caliber marking on the left, three patent dates on the left of the frame, and period replacement pearl grips inscribed “H.D.J.” Matching numbers visible under right grip on
trigger guard and back strap. Last two digits, “70” on rear face of cylinder.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% original blue finish and 80% case colors with scattered
handling marks, a cylinder drag line, and front face flash marks. The grips are good with a cracked and repaired section at the top of the right grip. Mechanically excellent.
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