October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Are you old enough to remember the Miata craze or the 1973 Dirty Harry Smith & Wesson Model 29 craze? That is exactly the same scenario that Colt experienced when they introduced the Model P Single Action Army revolver. If you add up total production figures of the first three years of Colt Single Action Army shipments to the Government, as opposed to the small amount of arms available to the general public, this scenario created just such a craze, it being nearly impossible to get what many considered the most advanced handgun to ever be offered. It seemed as if everyone wanted one of the new Colt Army's, but very few made it to the civilian market. When subtracting military orders from total orders, this revolver approximately the second hundred to be sold into the civilian trade in the first two years alone. The vast majority of the civilian revolvers were identical to those being ordered by the Government with the exception of having a better finish and varnished walnut stocks. This revolver was shipped on June 10th, 1875 to Joseph C. Grubb, a large distributor in Philadelphia. The letter lists only the serial number, caliber and finish (blue) in an 18 gun shipment (not necessarily all Colt Single Action Armies). Letter also indicates 7-1/2" barrel length and walnut stocks were standard issue at the time, and their reference to blue finish meant blue and case colored. This example has remained in excellent all original condition. Features six shot, single action, blue and case colored finish, screw-in black powder frame, donut head style ejector, varnished walnut stocks and fire blue screws. One line barrel address, two line left frame patent dates, and the only indication of caliber is stamped "45 CAL" on rear left trigger bow. There is also a small "M" stamped into top of left grip panel, its meaning unknown. Full or partial matching serial number on frame, barrel, trigger guard, backstrap and cylinder. CONDITION: The barrel is basically a soft, clean patina with an unadulterated front sight. Ejector housing retains 40% original blue, simply blending. Trigger guard has bright blue in protected areas with balance a soft, silver patina. Backstrap has bright blue at base and top. Cylinder has 50% blue mixing patina with bright blue in the flutes. The frame has traces of original case colors and the hammer colors are quite bright. Frame screws retain 80% or better of their high polish nitre blue and remain true, the same can be said for the trigger guard screws; in fact, the only screw with damage is the lock screw for the cylinder pin which had to be taken down every time you cleaned the gun. The beautiful walnut grips retain the majority of their original varnish with usual handling marks and fit with precision. Four full Colt clicks index and lock the cylinder tight. Bore exhibits razor sharp defined lands with somewhat frosted grooves and a minute bit of black powder abrasion. It is extremely difficult to find a civilian Single Action Army from this time frame, it is even harder to find one that appears to be as crisp and unadulterated as this fine example with enough wear to ponder what history has been seen or made by this handgun. An iconic weapon in superb condition.