September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
Keith Cochran lists this serial number in Vol. 2 of the Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia as "7 - 1/2" .45, believed to be one of two shipped to Bureau of Ordnance, January 13, 1875 for testing by the navy" and "7 - 1/2", .45, nickel finish, walnut grips, cased in American style casing". The other gun in the January 13 shipment is believed to be 10423. This fine specimen is also pictured on pages 15 and 18 of Graham, Kopec, and Moore "A Study of the Colt Single Action Revolver" as a no record civilian revolver. No factory record survives for this gun, although serial numbers 16254, 16256, 16258, 16260 and 16261 are all recorded as shipping with nickel finish like this revolver. It is known that the US Navy tested the Single Action Army in .44 S&W with unsatisfactory results. An April 10, 1873 dated letter from Commander N.N. Nuck and Lt. Commander Frank Pearson, discusses these tests which favored the Smith & Wesson, and also more importantly recommended that navy procurement revolvers be nickel plated. It is very plausible that the Navy would have later tested a nickel SAA in Army standard .45 chambering. This revolver features full factory nickel plating, including trigger and hammer, the screws finished in brilliant nitre blue. Barrel is roll marked with proper italic address and fitted with blade front sight. First type ejector rod housing and bullseye ejector rod head. Frame marked on the left with 2-line patent dates. Grips are 1-piece walnut with the matching serial number marked on the inside. Revolver is housed in a very rare American style partitioned hardwood case with crushed velvet lining and a 50 hole cartridge block, enough to hold a full box of ammunition. An "L" tool and wooden grease box are also included. PROVENANCE: Purchased by George R. Repaire circa 1951 from the San Francisco Gun Exchange. Repaire sold the gun in 1978 to Tom Odom of Huntsville, Alabama, who eventually sold it to Richard Atkinson. Gun was also advertised by Ron Ogan of Ogan’s Antiques, presumably acquiring it from Atkinson. CONDITION: Excellent. Approximately 85-90% bright, original nickel finish. Some flaking present at the muzzle, frame, forward position of the cylinder, and hammer. Screws are vibrant with only minor fading. Grips have nearly all of their factory varnish with faint handling marks and a few impressions, mostly on the base. Bore is bright and has well defined rifling and some minor cleaned oxidations spotting. Crisp mechanics. Case is fine with expected impressions and scratches. A truly outstanding Single Action.