^Lot 1274 Exceptional Documented British Cased and Proofed Colt Single Action Army Flat-Top Target Model Revol

This is an excellent original example of a Colt Single Action Army Flat-Top Target Model revolver with Colt factory letter that states it was shipped from Colt's to the London Agency, London, England on May 8, 1902. The letter lists the caliber as .455 Eley and the finish as blue. The revolver has a commercial blue finish on the barrel, frame, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The hammer is casehardened. The black hard rubber two-piece grips are checkered and have the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval at the top of the grip. The frame has the distinctive flat top with dovetail mounted drift adjustable rear sight. The barrel has a block mounted front sight with removable blade. The trigger has a knurled face. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The caliber: "455 ELEY." is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Three-Date/Two-Line" patent markings followed by the circled Rampant Colt trademark. The assembly number "3" is stamped on the loading gate. London "Crown/CP" and "Crown/V" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and in alternate cylinder flutes. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "898" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. "2898" is scratched on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is complete with a British case and accessories. The lid of the oak case has brass screw reinforcements and a round brass plate inlaid in the center of the lid. The case interior is lined with green felt and has five compartments that include a 20-round cartridge block and a compartment with ivory handle on the lid. An engraved agent label "William-Powell-Son/Guns & Rifle Manufacturers/13, Carrs Lane/Birmingham is fixed to the inside of the lid. The case contains 20 Winchester .455 cartridges, a Dixon pewter oil bottle, blued steel cleaning rod with brass tip, nickel-plated front sight/muzzle cover blued, L-shaped screw-driver and key for the case. The dealers tag is signed: "Best Always Frank Hugh O'Brian Wyatt" ). Hugh O'Brian was the star of the 1950s television series "THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF WYATT EARP". Included with the revolver is the complete DVD set of Season One, 1955-1956. This revolver is pictured on page 332 of "THE COLT PEACEMAKER ENCYCLOPEDIA, VOL II" and on pages 35 and 145 of the COLT PEACEMAKER BRITISH MODEL" by Keith Cochran. Colt Single Action Army Flat-Top Target Model revolvers chambered for the .455 Eley cartridge are rare. Production totals for Colt Single Action revolvers on page 252 of "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS" by R. L. Wilson show that only 37 Single Action Flat-Top Target Model revolvers were chambered for the .455 Eley cartridge.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 455 eley
Finish: blue
Grips: black hard rubber
Serial Number: 162898
Condition: Excellent. The revolver retains 97% of the bright original high polish blue finish. There is some minor edge wear on the muzzle and ejector housing, the ejector rod head and the high points of the frame and cylinder. There are small spots of finish wear in the middle of the back strap and on the bottom of the butt. The hammer retains all of the casehardened finish. All of the markings and serial numbers are sharp. The bore is bright. The grips are in excellent condition. The case is in excellent overall condition. The exterior shows only minor expected storage wear. The green felt lining is bright and in very good condition. Wear is limited to a small tear on the edge of a partition caused by contact with the ejector housing. The agent's label has some age discoloration and minor stains around the edges. This is an excellent original example of a rare .455 Eley Colt Single Action Army Flat-Top Target Model revolver.