Cased Colt Single Action Army SAA Colt 150th Anniversary Engraving Sampler
SOLD FOR: $5,613.99
LSB#: LSB251006JW004
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army 3rd Generation, Colt 150th Anniversary Engraving Sampler Edition
Serial Number: SA68137
Year of Manufacture: 1987 / C&R (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: 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 “SA68137”. The left side of each portion of the grip frame is marked with assembly number under the grips, found again on the rear face of the frame and hand-written on the inside of each grip panel. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with a “K”. The rear face of each cylinder is marked “45”.
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: 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. Colt Logo is linecut engraved on top of backstrap, and “Colt Engraving Sampler” is linecut engraved down backstrap in script style. This firearm was processed on Colt Custom Shop order # 2957
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Hardened
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. 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: Due to the high condition, we have elected not to operate the action, but will guarantee it functions properly. 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 Colt Single Action Army represents one of the most ambitious and artistically significant projects undertaken by the Colt Custom Shop during the modern era. This highly collectable and rare example was one of approximately 50 produced, according to sources. Produced in 1987 to commemorate Colt’s 150th anniversary, 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 old Black Powder frame with base pin screw and bullseye ejector head, 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. This revolver was completed under Colt Custom Shop order number 2957 and is fully documented by an accompanying Colt factory letter.
Condition is exceptional and essentially as issued. The revolver retains approximately 99.9 percent of its original blue and case-hardened 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
