September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
According to the Colt Factory archive letter, this gun left the factory as a .38 Colt with a 5 - 1/2" barrel. The finish was blue and the grips were not listed. It was sold to Nevada Sporting Goods Company in Reno Nevada. It was shipped to Shaw Batcher Company in Sacramento California on March 13, 1931 in a shipment of 1 gun. Single line address on top of the barrel, "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD' CT. U.S.A." Caliber designation on the left side of the barrel, "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 38 SPECIAL". Two line patent address and rampant Colt logo on the left side of the frame. Matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard and the backstrap. It has an aftermarket set of fleur-de-lis grips. CONDITION: This gun retains vast amounts of the original factory applied blue finish. There is some holster wear and high edge wear. The rear strap is thinning. Vibrant case colors with some toning. The checkering on the grips is sharp and crisp. Bright and shiny bore with sharp lands and grooves.
ADDENDUM: Per “The Book of Colt Firearms”, Third Edition, by Wilson, there are a scant 82 .38 Colt Special Single Action Armies known, and they were not marked “.38 Colt Special”. They are very rare and were only known to be manufactured between 1930 and 1932. The catalog listed the caliber as “.38 Special”, and the barrel marking was recorded as “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL”, as is on this example.