4203 EXTREMELY RARE ARCHIVAL COLT PRE WAR ASSEMBLED

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 15 @ 13:30UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 4,000.00 USD
Estimated at 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD

SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER NOT SHIPPED UNTIL 1962 WITH FULL PROVENANCE. Cal. 45 Colt. S# 356850. Nickel finish with 5 1/2" bbl., full thick blade front sight, period 1 line block letter model/cal. marking on left side of barrel. Left front side of frame is marked with 2 line 3 patent dates and the Rampant Colt trademark. Mounted with 2 piece Rampant Colt hard rubber grips. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in caliber 45 with 5 1/2" bbl., nickel finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to Don Glaser, Emporia, KS on February 6, 1962 in a 1 gun shipment. In the remarks section “Records indicate this firearm was assembled on April 8, 1940 and later shipped as noted above indicating that it was definitely a Pre-WW II weapon”. It is generally accepted that the decline in popularity of the SAA's in the decade leading up to WWII created a sizable stockroom surplus. In response a total of 163 SAA's were sold to the British Purchasing Commission in June, 1940 for the purpose of defending the British Isles from the Nazi invasion. It is clear that most but not all were shipped. Very few assembled guns along with surplus parts remained in stockroom inventory during and well after the war. This archival example is one of those few survivors! Accompanied by the original post war black hinged lid box with end label and a "NICKEL FINISH" over label. Bottom of the box has the red grease pencil S# matching this revolver. Box contains an owners pamphlet, warranty card, “Handling the Handgun” pamphlet, the original tan tissue paper wrapper and wire handle bristle brush. Also included is the original cardboard shipping sleeve with blue and yellow Colt label addressed to Mr. Glaser in Emporia, KS with the hand stamps “EXPRESS COLLECT” with a copy of an express receipt from Colt dated February 6, 1962 in the name of Don Glaser, Emporia, KS. Additionally, 2 copies of a Colt Factory invoice also made out to Mr. Glaser for this revolver identified by caliber and S# and a typewritten letter to Mr. Glaser from Mr. Jim Wilson of Denton, TX inquiring about the history of this revolver. This exact revolver is identified in the book "COLT’S SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER PRE-WAR POST-WAR MODEL", by Don Wilkerson with personalized presentation to Roger Perlock expressing appreciation for his help with this book and that a revolver from his personal collection is featured within. On page 19 of this publication it states that there were only 6 revolvers found to have been assembled before World War II, but not shipped until the 1950s and 1960s. CONDITION: excellent, as new. Overall retains 99% plus crisp, original nickel with only a faint bit of evidence that the cylinder has ever been turned. Right side of frame, just forward of the grip, has a small ding, otherwise the finish is flawless. Grips are equally crisp and new. Mechanics crisp. Bright bore. The box and paperwork are equally crisp and new. Book is excellent. This is an exceptional and rare revolver which chronicles the history and transition of the Single Action during the mid 20th century. PROVENANCE: Don Glaser; John Rohner; Jim Wilson; Roger Perlock; Vicente Sepulveda Collections. (22-5673/WDB). CURIO. $8,000-12,000.