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Outstanding Documented Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
Outstanding Documented Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter
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This is a very fine example of a black powder Colt Single Action Army revolver with factory letter that states that it was shipped from Colt to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., in Chicago, Illinois on February 24, 1883. The letter lists the caliber as "45/C" and the finish as "Blue" the barrel length and type of stocks are not listed which indicates that the barrel was the standard 7 1/2 inch length and that the stocks were the standard one-piece walnut. The barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have the Colt high polish commercial blue finish. The frame, loading gate and hammer are casehardened. The one-piece walnut grip has a varnished "piano" finish. The ejector rod has the later oval head introduced around serial number 73,000 on civilian Single Action Army revolvers. The hammer has bordered knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the elongated block letter address "COLT"S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". The address was double rolled at the factory. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Three-Date/Three-Line" patent markings. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number, "5944". "45 CAL" is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. An "H" Colt inspection mark is visible in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The full serial number, "87530" is located on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number, "7530" is stamped on the underside of the barrel beneath the ejector housing. The cylinder is correctly un-marked (about 30% of the civilian Single Action Army revolvers in the 73,000-120,000 had cylinders that were not serial numbered (A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER by Graham, Kopec and Moore, page 49).The partial serial number "7530" is written in pencil in the back strap inlet of the grip. All of the visible serial numbers match.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 87530
Condition: Very fine. The revolver retains 80% plus of the original high polish blue finish on the barrel and cylinder. There is some minor finish loss on the barrel at the muzzle and on the front edge of the ejector housing. The cylinder has some light turn marks. Most of handling wear is concentrated on the trigger guard and back strap. The trigger guard and grip strap retain 40% of the blue finish and the back strap has about 60% of the blue finish intact. The frame, hammer and loading gate retain 70% of the vivid casehardened finish with fiery case colors. Finish wear is limited to some silvering on the top of the hammer and some thinning and very light pitting on the left side of the top strap. The walnut grip is in excellent condition, with 95% of the piano finish remaining and there is minimal handling wear. The markings are sharp. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. This is an outstanding example of an 1883 production Black Powder Colt Single Action Army revolver.