May 23rd 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/22/2015
The word "rare" is often used by catalogers as we simply run out of adjectives from time to time. But in this case, "rare" is the only word that describes this handgun. To begin, only nine flat top single action target Colt Armies were every manufactured in the .32-44 Smith & Wesson cartridge. Of these nine, we can only guess how many were factory nickel plated. This gun letters all the way. It was shipped on October 3rd, 1889 to Hibbard Spencer Bartlett & Co. in Chicago, Illinois with a 7-1/2" barrel, nickel plated (letter as such), rubber grips, and .32 caliber. The right trigger guard has the factory return star. Grip frame is stamped with the "N" for nickel. Factory stamps are strong and deep. The side of the barrel is stamped for 32-44 S&W CTG.". The gun shows little to no use after the factory reapplied finish and retains virtually all of this high quality Colt nickel finish. It is a full nickel including the hammer and the trigger. It has a fire blue rear sight and a high partridge pin front. Sports a near mint set of eagle hard rubber grips (no Colt patent inside). Action works like a Swiss watch. Bore is excellent with strong rifling and a hint of frosting. Given the rarity (possibly only one of two nickel) and the current condition of this revolver and the Colt workmanship of both fit and finish, it is simply breath-taking. There are no gaps at seams. No washing out of letters or numbers. The chance to own one of the extreme rarities in the Colt collecting field. This is one of, if not the, rarest Colt Single Action Armies extant.