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LOT 42
Documented Factory “Soft” Shipped Hartley
& Graham
Engraved Colt
Black Powder
Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved Pearl Grips and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 107176, 44 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., gold/silver finish, pearl grips.
The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a “soft finish,” indicating this SAA left the factory
in the white for engraving outside the factory, 4 3/4 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber and hard rubber stocks
when shipped to Hartley & Graham, New York City on April 12, 1884 as part of a 20 unit delivery. The engraving consists of profuse bold scrollwork on a punch dot background. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address, the left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking, and the left
side of the trigger guard is marked “44 CF.” The pearl grips feature a relief carved steer head on the right panel and were likely supplied by Hartley & Graham. The revolver has a gold
over silver plated finish. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap.
CONDITION: Fine as period New York retailer engraved and period replated. 40% of gold remains and 70% of the silver plating remains. The engraving is crisp. The grips are very good with a couple chips and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 43
Desirable, Texas Shipped Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single Action Army
Revolver with Relief Carved Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 324283, 45 LC cal., 5 1/2
inch round bbl., gold/silver finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver the 5
1⁄2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, silver finish (currently gold over silver plating), factory engraving and pearl
grips with carved ox head motif (wide silver bands have been added to each panel towards the top). Colt
historian and author R.L. Wilson noted, only “a few” SAAs had factory hand carved steer head motif grips. The relief
carving is especially rare on pearl grips. The revolver was shipped to
Cullum & Boren of Dallas, Texas, on June 17, 1912. The barrel has the
one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” inside a banner on
the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates
marking inside a banner followed by a circled Rampant Colt. The right
side of the trigger guard has a Colt factory rework star. Matching serial
numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Estimates
have placed only 2,500 1st Generation Colt SAAs of the 357,800
manufactured as factory engraved. Factory engraved Single Action
revolvers are rare and highly desirable.
CONDITION: Very good as period replated, retaining scattered traces of gold in the protected areas, heavier amounts of gold on the hammer and trigger and more than half of the silver with the balance a smooth gray patina. There is light pitting on the cylinder. The grips are very good with a chip near the bottom (right side) and crisp carving with added gold, metal, and jewel ornamentation. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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