Lot 3158

Colt Pre-War/Post-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Box

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Colt Pre-War/Post-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Box

Estimate: $5,500 - $8,500

Starting Bid: $4,750

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Outstanding and Highly Desirable Pre-War/Post-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Original Black Box and Factory Letter Having its frame serial number factory applied in 1940, this is an example of a pre-World War II Colt Single Action Army revolver that was subsequently factory assembled and finished after the war and kept at the factory. The Pre-War/Post-War Single Action Army revolvers are found in the 356000-357000 serial number range, and many are known to have been used by Colt for advertising and public relations purposes. According to "Colt's Single Action Army Revolver Pre-War Post-War Model" by Don Wilkerson on page 19, there were only 338 pre-World War II manufactured Colt Single Action revolvers assembled after World War II, which comprise the group of revolvers referred to as Pre-War/Post-War by collectors. The included factory letter lists the revolver in .38 Special with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and rubber grips when shipped to Cherry's Sporting Goods in Geneseo, Illinois, on 3 October 1972 as one of 18 guns of its type in the shipment. The barrel is marked with the one-line Hartford address on top and "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY 38 SPECIAL" on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent date markings followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory triangle "VP" proof and an "P" inspector's stamp, with an "P" on the right side. The matching serial number is on the frame and the right side of the trigger guard and back strap, and the assembly number "53" is marked on the loading gate and rear face of the frame. A Rampant Colt is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. Includes the original Colt black box with the matching serial number hand marked on the bottom in red wax pencil.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 5 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 38 Special

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: hard rubber

Serial Number357318

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Excellent overall, retains 98% plus of the original blue finish and vibrant original case colors with only the slightest handling evidence overall, some specks of oxidation on the loading gate and sides of the hammer, and crisp checkering on the slightly oversized grips. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with one long edge of the lid absent and some mild edge/corner wear. This is an incredible example of the elusive Pre-War/Post-War Colt Single Action Army revolver!

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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