Lot 1094

Antique Colt London Single Action Army Revolver in .476 Caliber

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Antique Colt London Single Action Army Revolver in .476 Caliber

Estimate: $7,500 - $11,000

Starting Bid: $6,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable Documented Nickel Plated Antique Colt London Single Action Army Revolver in Exceptionally Rare .476 Eley Offered here is a very desirable 1887 production nickel plated Colt London Single Action Army revolver chambered in .476 Eley, the largest factory caliber Colt offered in the Single Action Army. This is one of only 5 examples recorded as manufactured in this specific configuration in .476 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and nickel finish per page 379 of "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895" by the Wilkersons and Hoyt, which lists a total of 163 made in .476 caliber in 5 configurations. Nearly all of the .476 Single Action Army revolvers were sold overseas with an extremely small percentage of those having returned to the United States. The first known shipment for 100 of the .476 Single Action Army revolvers was to Colt’s London Agency in October 1885. Many of these .476 revolvers ended up heading to South Africa and Australia. The Colt Single Action Army Revolver is arguably the most famous American revolver of all time and was also marketed overseas. Entering foreign markets required chambering the American design in foreign cartridges. Cartridges such as .450, .455, and .476 catered to British customers, and Single Action Army revolvers chambered in these cartridges have become highly sought after by collectors today due to their relative scarcity. To accommodate the rim size of the cartridge, the standard frame had to be cut to achieve more cylinder space. Also known as the Enfield Mark III Ball cartridge, the .476 was introduced in 1881 and phased out in 1887 but continued to be produced at the Woolrich Arsenal until March 1893 and the Dum Dum ammunition factory in India until 1918. The cartridge was used for a short time in British service before being replaced by the .455 Webley Mark I. This is an exceedingly rare caliber to find in Colt model revolvers of the era, especially those in the United States. The barrel has the one-line Colt Pall Mall London address on top. "476 CAL" is marked on the left side of the trigger guard. The left of the frame has the three-line patent date markings. London proofs are marked on the underside of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. Matching visible full serial numbers are marked on the frame, trigger guard, and butt; matching partial "264" is on the rear of the cylinder, unnumbered grips, and assembly number "31" is on the loading gate. The revolver is wearing correct factory checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colt logos and patriotic eagles. This exact revolver is mentioned by serial number and configuration on page 232 of "Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia: Volume 2" by Keith Cochran.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 5 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 476 Eley

Finish: nickel

Grips: hard rubber

Serial Number121264

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Joe Kiser Collection; The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Very fine with a fresh appearance, retains 75% period retailer nickel plating, with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, minor pitting, and defined markings in the metal. The grips are fine, with light wear on the right grip, a few small nicks, and crisp checkering and logos on the left grip. The cylinder stop needs adjustment; otherwise, mechanically functions. This is a highly desirable example of a Colt Single Action Army chambered in the very scarce .476 Eley!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000