Excellent Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver in Very Scarce .38 S&W Special with Original Box

An exceptional pre-World War II Colt Single Action Army Revolver, manufactured in 1939 and chambered in the extraordinarily rare .38 S&W Special. With only 27 First Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers reportedly made in .38 S&W Special by special order, this high-condition example, complete with its original numbered Colt factory box, represents a premier opportunity for an advanced Colt collector or museum-quality collection.

• Manufactured in 1939, placing it in the desirable pre-World War II era of Colt Single Action Army production
• First Generation Colt Single Action Army revolver, also known as the “Peacemaker”
• Chambered in .38 S&W Special, one of the rarest calibers encountered in First Generation Colt Single Action Army collecting
• According to Single Action Army expert and author David Brown:
  • The .38 S&W Special chambering was made only on special order
  • The .38 Special calibers did not become popular until after World War II, after the Colt Single Action Army had gone out of production
  • Only 27 Colt Single Action Army revolvers in .38 S&W Special were made
  • Of those, 25 were Standard Frame examples and 2 were Standard Frame Bisley Models
  • Reference: “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” page 162
• Extremely limited production compared to other Colt Single Action Army calibers, giving this revolver outstanding rarity and collector significance
• Described as an extremely high-condition example, worthy of the finest private or public collection
• Accompanied by its original Colt factory box, making it especially desirable as a complete collector package
• Factory letter notes that there are no factory records for this particular Peacemaker
• Important historical context:
  • Colt Single Action Army records from 1933–1944 have been lost
  • The lack of factory records is consistent with the missing record period rather than an issue specific to this revolver
• Barrel markings:
  • One-line Hartford address on top of the barrel
  • “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL” marked on the left side
• Frame markings:
  • Two-line patent date marking
  • Rampant Colt marking following the patent dates
• Trigger guard markings:
  • Number “4”
  • Colt factory triangle proof
• Cylinder details:
  • S&W Special chambers
  • Chambers have no shoulder and are tapered
  • Matching partial serial number “81” appears on the rear cylinder face
• Grips:
  • Checkered hard rubber grips
  • Rampant Colt emblem at the top
• Matching-number components include:
  • Frame
  • Trigger guard
  • Back strap
  • Both grip panels
• Assembly number “758” is marked on:
  • Loading gate
  • Rear of the frame
• Original Colt factory box:
  • Numbered to the gun
  • End label lists a 5 1/2 inch barrel
  • End label lists rubber stocks
  • End label lists blue finish
  • End label lists .38 caliber
• Also includes a bore brush
• A major Colt rarity combining pre-war manufacture, rare special-order .38 S&W Special chambering, matching numbered parts, original numbered factory box, and exceptional condition, an impressive centerpiece for any serious Single Action Army collection