Antique Colt Sheriff's Model Single Action Army Revolver with Extremely Rare 5 Inch .45 Long Colt Barrel, Relief Carved Eagle Pearl Grips and Factory Letter
An extraordinary Colt Single Action Army “Sheriff’s Model,” this factory-documented revolver is identified as the only non-engraved 5-inch, .45 Long Colt, blue-finished Sheriff’s Model in the 1–164100 serial number range. With single-gun shipment provenance to Hartley & Graham of New York City and extreme rarity documented in Wilkerson and Hoyt’s definitive Colt reference, this is a premier Peacemaker variation for the advanced collector.
- Factory-documented Colt Single Action Army “Sheriff’s Model” revolver
- Accompanied by a Colt factory letter confirming:
- Shipped as a single-gun shipment
- Shipped on August 30, 1892
- Shipped to Hartley & Graham of New York City
- Listed in .45 caliber
- Listed with a 5-inch barrel
- Listed with blue finish
- Type of grips not listed
- Exceptionally rare configuration:
- Colt manufactured only 1 non-engraved Sheriff’s Model with a 5-inch barrel, .45 Long Colt caliber, and blue finish in the 1–164100 serial number range
- According to page 326 of “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873–1895” by Wilkerson and Hoyt, this revolver is that singular example
- One of the rarest and most sought-after variations of the legendary Colt Peacemaker
- Ejectorless “Sheriff’s Model” configuration—made without the standard ejector rod and housing, giving it the distinctive compact profile collectors prize
- Wilkerson and Hoyt emphasize the rarity of the ejectorless Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army as a whole
- Their study covered Sheriff’s Model barrel lengths ranging from 2 1/2 inches to 7 1/2 inches
- Wilkerson and Hoyt state that “just under 600 ejectorless Single Action Army revolvers were produced in all calibers from 1882 to the 1930s”
- Historically evocative frontier configuration:
- Associated with lawmen
- Outlaws
- Storekeepers
- Personal-defense use on the American frontier
- Ejectorless barrel features the one-line Hartford address on top
- Left side of barrel is marked:
- “45 COLT”
- Left side of frame has the two-line, three-date patent marking
- Matching serial numbers are visible on:
- Frame
- Trigger guard
- Back strap
- Loading gate is marked with assembly number:
- “75”
- Fitted with highly attractive pearl grips
- Right grip panel features a relief-carved eagle
- Pearl grips are likely Hartley & Graham supplied, adding further period appeal and collector interest
- A standout investment-grade Colt collectible combining:
- Factory letter documentation
- Single-gun shipment provenance
- Hartley & Graham New York City destination
- Singular known configuration within the documented serial range
- Desirable .45 caliber chambering
- Rare 5-inch ejectorless Sheriff’s Model barrel
- Blue finish
- Matching major serial-numbered components
- Eye-catching carved pearl grips with likely Hartley & Graham association
Very good, with an untouched smooth brown and gray patina, a few patches of minor surface pitting, and defined markings in the metal overall. Grips are fine, with highly attractive fiery colors, a small chip at the lower left rear, a reattached section at the lower right rear, and a crisp carved eagle. Mechanically functions. This is your chance to acquire one of the rarest and most sought after variations of the legendary Peacemaker, a 5 inch .45 caliber Sheriff’s Model!
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