May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
Colt single action .45 LC revolver serial number 356 is attributed to Sherman Hensley of what later became known as the Hensley settlement of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Sherman Hensley founded the settlement in 1903 and with his family created a self sufficient Appalachian community. It was abandoned in 1951 and is now a living history museum run and managed by the National Parks Service. Colt Single Action Army serial number 356 is a mixed number 5 - 1/2" single action with three line patent dates on frame and single line barrel address. Revolver is of mixed numbers with trigger guard being serial number 5931 and Ainsworth inspected while back strap 35366 and cylinder is 6957 and is Ainsworth inspected. Barrel is not numbered nor inspected. One piece walnut grips are without number or inspection while the ejector is quite early with a donut pattern ejector head. CONDITION: Good with the entire gun being a mottled blue and patina mixture. The bore is quite good with the early black powder rifling style and the grips are slightly undersized and weathered. The three line patent date and the lack of US inspection on frame is a quandary with a frame number of 356. The three line patent date were adopted at serial number 33000. The number of this gun was very possibly changed at a much earlier time frame to conceal its actual origins. A unique piece of Appalachian History from the founder of the Hensley settlement Sherman Hensley. TDW