The Colt Single Action Army Revolver, widely known as the Peacemaker, is arguably the most iconic handgun of all time. It has been made in a variety of calibers over the past 150 years. However, some have been made in smaller numbers than others. One such gun with a lower production total is being offered in the February Collection of Collector’s Elite Auctions. Here is a chance for a two-digit Colt.
The Peacemaker being offered here is just one of 1,800 guns made that was chambered for the .44 Henry rimfire cartridge in 1875 and 1876. By this time, the .44 Henry cartridge had fallen out of favor for more powerful centerfire loads. Because of this there was a great number of surplus .44 Henry cartridges available at very inexpensive prices compared to other centerfire offerings at that time.
Since the cartridge was not a standard centerfire offering, it required a different frame configuration from others being offered at that time. As a result, Colt put these .44 Henry revolvers in their own special block of serial numbers that started completely over with No. 1.
The gun in the February Collection bears serial number 56. Even though overall production was quite low with serial numbers only reaching four digits, it’s still really impressive to have a two-digit gun.
All Original Two-Digit Colt
Serial number 56 still retains its full-length 7.5-inch barrel as it was originally made in the factory. This is significant as Colt scholars estimate that somewhere between 80 and 90 percent of these rimfire guns had their barrels cut down to shorter lengths. Using the low percentage estimate, that means just 360 of these revolvers survive with their original length barrel. It could be as few as 180. Regardless, this is one of those guns.
As time marched on,.44 Henry cartridges became harder to find. Consequently, many of these Single Action Army revolvers were converted to fire either .22 rimfire or .44 centerfire cartridges. So, the fact that this gun survives in its original caliber with the original barrel length even that more astonishing.
With the exception of the ejector housing and cylinder pin, this Peacemaker is exactly how it came out of the factory in Hartford some 150 years ago. All of the major parts of the gun are serial number matching, each one bearing the number 56.
The opportunity to own such a rare example of Colt Single Action Army history doesn’t come along very often. Don’t miss your chance to own this exceptionally collectible two-digit Colt Peacemaker. You may never have another opportunity to do so, and life is too short to own boring guns.
