Colt SAA Flattop Target Model

The included factory letter confirms this incredibly rare Colt Single Action Army Target Model revolver in .44 S&W with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and extra long grips and indicates it was the sole gun of this type in a shipment to C.H. Gans on October 18, 1890. The revolver is illustrated on page 394 of "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895" by the Wilkersons and Hoyt where the grips are incorrectly listed as ebony. It is one of only approximately 925 Flattop Target Model Single Action Army revolvers, one of only 106 in .44 Smith & Wesson, one of 80 in .44 S&W with a 7 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish, and one of the very few Colt Single Action Army Target Model revolvers to feature the distinctive extra long grips. In his included assessment R.L. Wilson notes "One of the most sought after, rare and desirable of Colt Single Action Army Model revolvers is the Flattop Target Model, with special factory-produced long Target grips. Only a handful of these arms were made, and only a few of these are currently known to collectors." This special grip variation is accomplished by using the standard grip frame but with elongated grips and a spacer at the butt. The revolver features a pinned bead style German silver front sight, the one-line address on top of the barrel, "44-S & W." on the left side of the barrel at the breech, the distinctive flat top frame with adjustable notch rear sight, the three-line patent marking on the left side of the frame, "44 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard, the matching serial number marked on the frame and trigger guard as well as on the back strap at the toe under the grips, and the matching partial serial number "7821" marked on the insider of each grip and the butt spacer. The assembly number "3" is marked on the loading gate. While Gans' address is not listed in the letter, Major Charles H. Gans of New York was an award winning marksman who won the 1,000 yard match for the Wimbledon Cup in both 1889 and 1890. Per the Annual Report of the New York Adjutant-General in 1902, Gans served as a Private in the 91st N. Y. Vols. from August 31, 1864, until discharged on May 10, 1865. He later served as a Private in Co. H of the 10th Regt. from Oct. 30, 1880, until the unit disbanded on March 7, 1881. He then served as a Private in Co. D of the 10th Battalion from May 29, 1882, until discharged on March 1, 1883, and was again listed as a Private in Co. D of the 10th Battalion on June 1, 1883. He became Inspector of Rifle Practice with the grade of First Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion on Oct. 23, 1883, and Inspector of Rifle Practice with the grade of Major in the 3rd Brigade on Sept. 10, 1886, and Assistant General Inspector of Rifle Practice for the State of New York with the grade of Colonel from August 1, 1898, until his resignation on Jan. 19, 1899, to return to staff of 3rd Brigade as Inspector of Small Arms Practice and Ordnance Officer with his original rank. He is also noted as a Brevet Colonel as of December 11, 1901.

Condition: Excellent with 90% plus bright original high polish blue finish, smooth gray and brown patina on the small areas of flaking, bright polished sides to the hammer, cylinder drag lines, and generally only minor wear. The grips are also very fine have attractive aged tones and minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. This is certainly one of the absolute rarest Colt Single Action Army revolver variations: a Colt Single Action Army Flattop Target Model Revolver in .44 S&W with special factory extra long grips. They do not get rarer than this.