September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
Serial number is 83742, barrel length is 5/1/2" and caliber is .45 long Colt. Offered is a fine Colt Single Action Army that was shipped with 50 guns on October 10, 1882 to Wexell & Degress who had offices in both Mexico City and New York. Factory letter lists the gun as a .45 Colt caliber, barrel length not listed, shipped blue with rubber grips. The gun sports a 5-1/2" barrel and is nickel plated with vintage pearl grips. All the markings are perfect which would indicate, given its shipment to Wexell & Degress, that it was dealer plated and the pearl grips fitted at the time. This was a common practice amongst the largest retailers during that era. The barrel retains approximately 50% nickel finish, turned brown patina. There is wear to the muzzle at the left side of the barrel blending to gray and nickel and mixes perfectly to give an overall smooth appearance. The ejector housing retains almost all of the nickel, as does the cylinder. The frame retains approximately 60% nickel, with the balance flaked to a smooth grey brown patina. The pearl grips are well fitted, vintage to the gun, and only have some minor chipping. Retains all four Colt clicks, locks up perfectly. All matching numbers. Strong clean bore. The barrel legends are sharp and devoid of nickel in the stamps are the frame legends. The back strap and trigger guard are a smooth mix of gun metal patina and nickel. The nickel plated finish was very popular along the Texas Mexico border as they were easier to maintain and were less susceptible to the harsh conditions. This is a classic cowboy gun in all respects and has "the look".