Colt SAA Wyatt Earp Buntline Commemorative .45 Cal 16″ Revolver, 1970 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,500.00
LSB#: LSB251213BG010
Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army, Wyatt Earp Commemorative
Serial Number: 10WYE ( #10 OF 500)
Year of Manufacture: 1970 / C&R
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: 6-Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked in silver “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The right side of the barrel is marked in silver “LAWMAN SERIES – WYATT EARP”. The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45” The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19, 1871 / ” JULY 2. 72 / “” JAN.19. 75” with the Rampant Colt logo. The underside of the frame is marked with the serial number “10WYE”. The left side of both grip frames are marked with the serial number. The grip panels are not marked with a serial number (per the original commemorative) but are the original style of grips the commemorative was issued with. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “V”.
Barrel Length: 16″ Buntline with Shoulder Stock
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a two-position V-notch ladder sight attached to a square groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece walnut grips. The stocks show minimal marks and no signs from handling and storage wear. The grips rate in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Royal blue and nickel with a casehardened frame, nickel-plated shoulder stock.
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: This gun appears unfired since factory testing. The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion present. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: THIS GUN APPEARS TO BE UNFIRED SINCE FACTORY TESTING. This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. The gun appears to have been stored in the presentation case for its entire life. The balance shows very minimal wear both handling and storage. There is no turn line or carbon on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: Due to the high condition of these revolvers, we elected not to operate the actions and risk damage to the finish. However, we see no reason the action shouldn’t fully function. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Red felt-lined presentation case with keys and paperwork. Case is marked “THE LAWMAN SERIES / WYATT EARP” with the Colt logo and a scene from the OK Corral. The case has its original cardboard protective sleeve.
Our Assessment: The Colt Single Action Army is one of the most recognizable revolvers ever produced and has been closely associated with the lawmen, outlaws, and frontier figures of the American West since its introduction in 1873. Chambered in .45 Colt and prized for its rugged single action design, the revolver became the sidearm of choice for many historical figures of the frontier era. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Colt celebrated this legacy with the Lawman Series of commemorative revolvers, each honoring a famous Western lawman whose story became part of American frontier history.
This example is the Wyatt Earp Lawman Series commemorative produced in 1970 as part of a limited run of only 500 revolvers. Wyatt Earp is one of the most famous lawmen of the American West and is best remembered for his role in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. This commemorative takes the form of a dramatic Buntline-style revolver with a 16 inch barrel and detachable shoulder stock, reflecting the long barreled revolvers popularly associated with Earp in Western lore. Finished with royal blue and nickel with a case hardened frame and nickel-plated shoulder stock, and marked “Lawman Series Wyatt Earp,” this revolver is serial number 10 of the 500 produced, making it an early and particularly desirable example from the limited production run.
This revolver appears unfired since factory testing and retains about 99 percent of its original finish with only the slightest signs of storage wear. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and the revolver shows no turn line or carbon on the cylinder. It is accompanied by its red felt lined presentation case with keys, paperwork, and original cardboard protective sleeve marked for the Wyatt Earp Lawman Series with artwork depicting the O.K. Corral scene. With its extremely low serial number, Buntline configuration with shoulder stock, and complete presentation accessories, this revolver represents a striking and highly collectible commemorative honoring one of the most legendary lawmen of the Old West. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!
BF