Lot 3038

Mexico City Shipped Antique Colt Single Action Army in .44 Henry

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Mexico City Shipped Antique Colt Single Action Army in .44 Henry

Estimate: $8,000 - $13,000

Starting Bid: $7,000

(0 Bids)

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

Rare Well-Documented Wexell & DeGress Mexico City Shipped Antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver in Highly Desirable .44 Henry Rimfire with Factory Letters Offered here is a highly sought after Colt Single Action Army revolver chambered for the rare .44 Henry rimfire cartridge. Two included factory letters show differing shipment dates a day apart indicating a recording error. One of the factory letters (dated January 24, 1992) states the revolver was shipped on May 22, 1879, to Wexell & DeGress in Mexico City, Mexico, in .44 rimfire caliber, with blue finish and an unlisted barrel length and type of grip, as part of 10 guns of the same type in the shipment. The other included factory letter (dated December 19, 1985) lists the same shipment details although it shows a shipment date of May 23, 1879, and an unlisted finish. This is one of only 1,863 Colt Single Action Army revolvers recorded in factory ledgers as chambered for the .44 Henry rimfire cartridge per page 252 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson. These .44 Henry rimfire revolvers were only produced for a short period starting in 1875 in their own separate serial number sequence starting from 1 on up. By the time the .44 Henry rimfire was introduced into Single Action Army production the cartridge was already considered obsolete on the American market. Colt sold most of the .44 Henry rimfire production to Mexico and South America where the Henry and Winchester Model 1866 lever actions were still in active use. Nearly all of the revolvers saw hard use in harsh environments, lending to their rarity today. Moreover, the 7 1/2 inch barrel was not well received, and most specimens that have found their way back to the United States generally have a shortened barrel. Between 1888-1890 the Colt factory converted 107 of the .44 Henry rimfire revolvers to .22 Rimfire. The revolver has the distinctive hammer with rimfire firing pin secured by two pins and a rectangular hammer slot in the frame. It also has a period added centerfire hole in the recoil shield of the frame. The hammer at one time had a centerfire pin which has been removed and professionally returned to rimfire. The barrel has a blade front sight, the one-line Colt Hartford address on top, and small "44" caliber marking on the bottom. The left of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates, and the trigger guard has "44 CAL" on the left side. The ejector rod has a bullseye head. Matching visible serial full numbers are marked on the frame, trigger guard, and butt, with matching partial "874" on the concealed area of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. Assembly number "227" is marked on the loading gate. Fitted with a period lanyard ring on the butt. This exact revolver is pictured and mentioned by serial number on page 274 of "Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia: Volume 2" by Keith Cochran.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 7 7/16 inch round

Gauge: 44 Henry Rimfire

Finish: nickel

Grips: walnut

Serial Number1874

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: George Jackson; The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Very good with proper character associated with a sidearm carried down south, retains 50% period retailer nickel finish, with smooth antiqued brown patina on the balance, pitting, slightly shortened barrel at the muzzle, stripped ejector screw threads, and the markings in the metal remain defined. The refinished grip is also very good, with general wear. Mechanically functions. These factory .44 Henry rimfire chambered Colt Single Action Army revolvers are seldom encountered!

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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