Lot 400

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

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

Estimate: $6,500 - $9,500

Starting Bid: $5,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Spectacular Individual Shipped Pre-War/Post-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Box and Factory Letter Having its frame serial number factory applied in 1940, this is a scarce 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 accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on October 3, 1972, to Dick Scherburne in Amherst, Massachusetts, in .38 Special with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and type of grips not listed, as part of 9 guns of the same type in the shipment. The factory letter has a further note stating, "It is interesting to note the above arm was in a group of pre-war six numbered firearms finally released by the Colt management and sold by a sealed bid in 1972. The above number was assembled February 19, 1948 by Master Gunsmith Harry St. John, a long time Single Action Army assembler and all parts were manufactured prior to World War II." It appears the last name of the recipient in the included factory letter was incorrectly recorded, as we have previously sold serial number 357412 (May 2024 Lot 1137) that was factory recorded as shipped to "Richard A. Sherburne" included in the same exact shipment. Richard Augustus Sherburne (March 25, 1919-January 4, 2006) is listed in various city directories under the occupation of "State Policeman." An April 29, 1971, dated article titled "Amherst College Gem Theft Baffles Campus, Town Police" in The Morning Union newspaper states, "Police lack leads in the theft of several thousand dollars worth of precious and semi-precious stones from Amherst College's Pratt Museum, campus security director, Richard A. Sherburne said Wednesday." It is possible this shipment containing 9 revolvers of this type may have been intended for security/police use or for presentation. 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. This is one of 163 of these Pre-War/Post-War revolvers reportedly manufactured in this specific configuration, being in .38 Special caliber, with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, and blue/casehardened finish, of which only 32 were listed as shipped in this configuration in the year 1972, per information on pages 28 and 100 of Wilkerson's aforementioned book. The left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory triangle "VP" proof and an "F" inspector's stamp. The matching visible full serial number is marked on the frame, grip straps, and correctly etched on the interiors of both grips, with the matching partial number "96" on the rear of the cylinder. Assembly number "181" marked on the loading gate and rear surface of the frame. Includes an unlabeled generic factory box with partial non-matching handwritten number on the bottom.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 5 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 38 Special

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: hard rubber

Serial Number357396

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Excellent plus, retains 99% plus original blue finish and 97% plus vivid original case colors. The grips are also excellent with a brown appearance and crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fair with some repairs and storage wear.

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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