in this lot is a Colt Single Action Army revolver in .38-40 caliber with scarce and desirable 7 ½” barrel. This iconic Colt with matching serial number 282857 on the frame, trigger guard and back strap was made in 1906. At the time of Single Action production, the .38-40 was produced almost exclusively with either the short 4 ¾” barrel or 5 ½” barrel. Examples in this caliber with the long 7 ½” barrels are considered quite rare and always maintain a premium in value. The .38-40 is a powerful caliber that actually is a .40 caliber and not .38. No one knows why it was called “.38-40” instead of “.40-40.” The cartridge is simply the famed .44-40 caliber necked down to accept a 180 grain .40 caliber bullet backed by 40 grains of black powder. After the turn of the last century, this round was also loaded with modern smokeless powder. It is interesting to note that by 1906, Colt was manufacturing a number of small, medium and large frame “side-swing cylinder” double action revolvers of such a modern design, they are still being made today. The classic Single Action Colt that had been in production from the percussion days of the 1840s through the production of this fine example, remained popular on the frontier where gunsmiths were few and far between. The Single Action could be easily repaired with only a few spare parts compared to the more complex double-action revolver or the “newfangled” auto loading pistols! Thus, the Colt Single Action was popular with cowboys and lawmen in the West at this time. The powerful .38-40 caliber was particularly popular as it could be paired with a Winchester or Marlin lever action rifle of the same caliber, making ammunition packing simpler than having one caliber for a rifle or carbine and another for a revolver. The fine, overall condition of this Colt far exceeds most Single Actions of this vintage. Since most saw hard outdoor use, it is difficult to find an example with the amount of blue this revolver exhibits. The cylinder shows fine deep blue with only light edge wear. The barrel exhibits similar fine deep blue with only normal blue holster wear toward the muzzle on each side as well as on the outside edge of the ejector housing. The remainder of the barrel and sides of the ejector housing retain bright blue. There are also traces of blue in the more protected areas of the trigger guard, butt and upper back strap. The case colored frame has faded to a lovely mottled gray patina. The hammer has the correct knurling pattern for a Single Action Army revolver made between 1905-1909 indicating that this hammer is original and not a replacement. The cylinder base pin is in excellent condition and retains nearly all the deep colt blue. These often show deep gouges and scratches from being pulled with pliers or barbed wire cutters. Importantly, the screw heads appear unturned. All markings are sharp and clear including the Colt address on the barrel top and the caliber stamping “38 WCF” (for Winchester Center Fire) on the left rear of the barrel side. The hard rubber checkered grips with embossed rampant colt fit well and show only light wear. The hammer cocks with the correct and important four distinct clicks or notches, and the bore is amazingly minty sharp and bright! Considering when this fine Colt Single Action Army revolver was made, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona were still western territories and not yet states, puts into perspective the historical significance and the fine state of preservation of this revolver. Adding to that, the rare barrel length in the large .38-40 caliber, make this a truly outstanding 117 year old Colt Single Action Revolver! Serial Number: 282857. This firearm qualifies as antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.*