Description:
L & M Enterprises is offering a "pink" hued, two piece hinged box with top and end labels for a Colt Single Action Army revolver in caliber .45, 7 1/2 inch barrel and SMOOTHBORE. This is the first and only picture box that we have ever seen (either in person or in published reference materials) for a Colt SAA .45 SMOOTHBORE. As it turns out, no one with whom we have consulted, nor anyone who contacted us while we were researching this box, has ever seen a box for a Colt SAA smoothbore either. We have delayed offering this potential treasure for sale because we could not confirm the authenticity of the box. After approximately 6 months of advertising the box on our website and on Guns America with a request for information, we conclude that the box MAY be authentic or it MAY NOT be authentic. The reason for our indecisiveness is that we have opinions about the box from knowledgeable, learned and experienced Colt collectors and dealers and authors, but we do not have a unified judgment as to whether the box is genuine or a "reproduction". Those wonderful Colt enthusiasts who inspected the box, either in person or through color photographs, and who offered their evaluations did not agree. Several persons made comparisons between this box and other Colt boxes that they either owned or had inspected personally, but no one could offer conclusive evidence that this box was not authentic, and no one could reference a Colt SAA .45 caliber, 7 1/2 smoothbore box for comparison. Additionally, one expert advised us that the Colt company has declined to describe details about the boxes from the 1800s, advising that they did not know what the boxes looked like. So the factory itself is not a source for details about materials, construction, illustration, dimensions etc. This means that the production source for this box and all other Colt boxes is of no help in determining authenticity of boxes. That leaves those of us who are interested in Colts and all things connected with them to determine authenticity by seeking out examples of the early boxes which we can study and document. There are Colt enthusiasts who are engaged in that very activity, but the results of their efforts are still in process (and even when published, will be based on what they have been able to observe and document). Finally, this box was found, reportedly, in England some time ago. There was a Colt production facility in England. During the mid-1800s, Colt had two manufacturing facilities, one in the USA and one in London (established ~1853). The London factory was opened nearly two years prior to Colt's completion of their new USA facility in NH. Interestingly, in this context, smoothbore Colts were either shipped to or manufactured in London in the late 1800s to support Buffalo Bill and his "Wild West Show. Bill is known to have purchased a number of Colt smooth bore revolvers from the Colt manufacturing company. He and some of the other “expert shots” who performed at the time usually used shot and smooth bore pistols so they could not miss! The London Agency was the distributor for the London factory. The factory did produce firearms, e.g. London Navy Models, etc., and received shipments from the USA. Could the box that we are offering today have been made by Colt in London and variations between this box and other 1800's era Colt boxes made in the USA be the result of different manufacturers and different materials? We don't know the answers to these questions and neither did those with whom we consulted while trying to authenticate this box. So, the box is what it is. We don't certify the authenticity nor do we certify that it is a reproduction. Accept it or reject it based on your own knowledge and conclusions. The box is now for sale and we believe that it would be a wonderful accompaniment to a collection of Colt firearms and accessories, even if you DON'T own a Colt SAA smooth bore. A full description of this wonderful box is on our website.
Condition:
Used - See Item Description
Caliber:
.45 Colt
Item #:
966719084
Stock No.:
13-0623-1
Location:
IA
Trades Accepted: NA
Shipping Notes: SHIPPED FREE
Collectible firearms, with focus on Kimber of Oregon, Cooper Firearms of Montana, Cascade Arms, pre-64 Winchester Model 52s, 61s, 70s, Browning Midas grade shotguns, Winchester Model 21 shotguns, Colt single action pistols (1st and 2nd generation). Quality Custom Rifles.
