4214 VERY RARE NEW ORLEANS SHIPPED BLACK POWDER

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 9,000.00 USD
Estimated at 18,000.00 - 27,000.00 USD
FRAME 3 1/2" SHERIFF'S MODEL SAA REVOLVER IN 41 COLT WITH FACTORY LETTER. Cal 41 Colt. S# 183449. Bbl. 3 1/2" with blade front sight. With an estimated total production of approx. 1,000 Sheriff's models, these revolvers are considered very rare & desirable. "Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia Vol. I" By Keith Cochran estimates that of the total production of Sheriff's models, a mere 305 were manufactured with 3 1/2" bbls. Additionally, Cochran estimates that the total production of Sheriff's Models chambered in 41 Colt accounted for approx. 3.25% of the total (32 Revolvers). "THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 1873-1895" by Don Wilkerson, Carol Wilkerson & Colt Historian Kathleen Hoyt lists on page 350 that from serial numbers 1-164100, just 33 ejectorless SAAs were found to have been manufactured in 41 Colt and those, the number manufactured as blue with a 3 1/2" bbl. was only TWO! Second style black powder frame. Though research would have S# 183449 listed as 1899 mfg, it is noted in "A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER" by Graham, Kopec & Moore on page 69 "It has been observed that in the regular Single Action production the spring loaded cylinder pin release catch occurs near the 165,000 SNR. However, with Storekeeper's Model production, it is noted that some revolvers in the 183,000 range, and possibly higher, retain the old style cylinder pin screw of the blackpowder frame. This is due, no doubt, to the aforementioned practice of over-producing a number of frames for stockpiling. Black powder frame Sheriff's models were still being assembled and shipped from the factory in 1899. This is three full years and approximately 18,000 revolvers after the production of all standard Single Actions had changed over to the cylinder pin release catch. Blued grip frame, 6 shot fluted cyl. & bbl. Case hardened frame & hammer. 2 line patent date. 2 line bbl. address. Left side of bbl. marked "41 Colt" Bottom of bbl stamped with small "41" 2 Piece checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt grips. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 2 Colt Archive letters (1961 & 1986) stating the following: "Calibre .41/ Barrel length 3 1/2"/ Finish Blue/ Type of stocks Not listed/ Sold & shipped to: A. Baldwin & Co.,/ Address New Orleans, La./ Date of shipment April 26. 1899/ Number of same type guns in shipment Six/ The Colt Single Action described above is an authentic Sheriff's or Storekeeper's model, if the arm is in good mechanical condition factory loaded smoke-less powder cartridges can be safely fired in this arm". CONDITION: very fine overall as these revolvers are seldom encountered with finish. Bbl. has been cleaned and shows areas of prior oxidation & light pitting. Cyl retains 60% blue with even finish wear, light freckling & a few minor dings. Frame shows strong case colors, notably towards bottom & rear. Front of frame shows a few scattered spots of cleaned moderate pitting. Grip frame retains 60-70% bright blue with thinning & freckling at backstrap. Very good grips display even light wear with a few small dents at bottom of right panel. Grips are turning brown with age. Generally bright bore retains sharp rifling with spots of light pitting. A very fine & rare Colt Sheriff's model that would garner the attention of any serious collector. (24-2080/BH). CURIO. $18,000-27,000.