RARE Colt Single Action Army SAA Engraving Sampler Prototype .45 Colt, C&R

SOLD FOR: $5,625.00

LSB#: LSB251006JW001

Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army 3rd Generation, Colt 150th Anniversary Engraving Sampler PROTOTYPE 

Serial Number: SA68276

Year of Manufacture: 1991 / C&R (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The left side of the barrel is stamped “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / JULY 2-72 JAN. 19-75” and with the “Rampant Colt” logo. The underside of the frame at the grip frame is marked “SA68276”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked with the serial number. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “45”.  Each grip panel is marked with the matching serial number to the gun. 

Barrel Length: 4 ¾ Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth ivory panels with gold-colored Colt 150th medallions. The grips have no notable wear or damage.  This revolver is built on a black powder frame with the “Bullseye” ejector head. The grips are scrimshawded on the left side in script with the following:  “R. Henshaw 1831, L. Nimschke 1850-1900, C Helfrict 1871-1921, Contemporary”.  Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

Engraving:  This revolver was factory engraved by Colt Master Engraver George Spring, per the factory letter.  The revolver has Type “B” scroll engraving in “Henshaw” on the bottom of backstrap and on the trigger guard bow, “Nimschke” on cylinder, Helfricht” on frame, and “Contemporary” on barrel and ejector rod housing.  The 150th Rampant Colt logo is linecut engraved on top of backstrap, and “Colt Engraving Sampler” is linecut engraved down backstrap in script style. The above work was processed on the Colt Custom Shop order number 170,098.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. The revolver appears unfired aside from factory testing.  There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates at 10/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99.9% of its metal finish. The revolver has no apparent handling or operational marks and appears unfired since factory testing.  There are no turn lines on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics:    The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has no play whatsoever. The single action trigger pull is crisp.  We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories:  The revolver comes with the original Colt factory letter (and 2 copies) detailing the original order from the Colt Custom Shop.  This revolver also comes with a wood Colt Custom Shop Display Box with red velvet lined inserts fitted to the revolver and glass top.  The case has minimal light storage wear and is in Excellent condition. Protective sock is also in the case.

Our Assessment: This extremely rare Colt SAA was produced as one of the Colt Engraving Sampler Prototypes and was utilized for the purpose of establishing uniform manufacturing specifications and a uniform engraving pattern for this specific edition.  Of further interest, this revolver was used by Colt’s Manufacturing Co. Inc., as an official display model at various trade shows and exhibitions.  Shipped in 1991, this revolver was auctioned at the Colt 1991 Las Vegas Gun Show, per the factory letter.  The Engraving Sampler Edition was conceived not as a typical commemorative, but as a living reference piece documenting the evolution of Colt factory engraving across generations. Built on the classic Third Generation Single Action Army platform, this revolver was intended to showcase the lineage of Colt’s master engravers and preserve their distinct stylistic identities in a single, cohesive work.

The engraving program is the centerpiece of this revolver and is executed as a deliberate sampler. Distinct engraving styles attributed to Robert Henshaw, Louis Daniel Nimschke, and Cuno Helfricht are applied to specific components, with contemporary Colt engraving completing the sequence on the barrel and ejector rod housing. The backstrap is line-cut with both the Rampant Colt and the scripted “Colt Engraving Sampler,” reinforcing the revolver’s role as a historical reference rather than a purely decorative piece. The ivory grips further enhance the narrative, scrimshawed with the names and working dates of the engravers represented, creating a direct visual link to Colt’s engraving heritage from the nineteenth century through the modern Custom Shop era. 

Condition is exceptional and essentially as issued. The revolver retains approximately 99.9 percent of its original nickel finish, with no visible handling or operational marks and no cylinder turn line. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, the screw heads remain crisp, and all markings are clear and well defined. The ivory grips are pristine, and the revolver appears unfired beyond factory testing. It is housed in its original Colt Custom Shop display case with red velvet interior and glass lid, which remains in excellent condition with only minimal storage wear. Overall, this Colt 150th Anniversary Engraving Sampler stands as a museum-grade Colt Custom Shop creation, combining extreme rarity, documented provenance, and unmatched engraving significance, and would serve as a centerpiece in any advanced Colt or American firearms collection. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!

BF