Lot 1055

Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Letter

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Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Letter

Estimate: $1,800 - $2,750

Starting Bid: $1,600

(0 Bids)

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

Individual Shipped Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver in Scarce .38 Long Colt with Factory Letter The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on March 10, 1914, to individual N.D. Gray at an unlisted address, in .38 Long Colt with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and type of grips not listed, as the sole gun of its type in the shipment. Further information related to the individual N.D. Gray was unable to be located. From its introduction in 1886 to 1914 when the .38 Long Colt was first discontinued, only 1,011 standard frame Single Action Army revolvers were chambered in it per page 252 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson. The caliber was reintroduced in 1922, but again failed to gain much traction, and by the time it was discontinued again in 1940 only another 1,365 revolvers had been chambered in it. The revolver has factory error double struck patent dates left side of the frame as well as the triangle "VP" proof on the left side of the trigger guard. The top of the barrel has the one-line Colt Hartford address, and "38 COLT" is on the left. Matching visible full serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and butt, unnumbered cylinder and loading gate, an assembly number that appears to read "1001" on the rear of the frame, and non-matching number "354999" hand etched on the interiors of both grips.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 5 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 38 Long Colt

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: hard rubber

Serial Number328578

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: N.D. Gray; Horst Held; The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Fine as professionally restored, retains 50% blue finish, 30% case colors, with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, light pitting, and defined edges in the metal. The grips are also fine, with some light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.

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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