I’ve read a few paragraphs about how it was discovered hanging in a barn somewhere in the NE. Some details have differed depending on the article. I am a bit shocked that a few paragraphs are all I can find on this subject. I’m surprised that this story hasn’t at least been made into an hour long special or a Readers Digest short story. If I remember correctly this was the first SAA from the production line not one of the pre-production samples.

Does anyone here know of a more detailed account of its finding? I’d love to read about it. The persons involved, if any history of its original delivery and sale has been documented. Seems kind of important given its prominence.

Sold for 862k in 2009. Only story I ever heard was it was found in 1925 in New Hampshire wrapped in oilcloth. I assume same family had it that time and sold at auction. But finding the chain of ownership may be challenging

Greg Martin auctions link here.

https://www.antiquesandthearts...-no-1-colt-revolver/

#4 was turned in by an elderly woman at an early gun buy back or some such in Sacramento some time ago. Late 70’s or early 80’s as I recall. An alert deputy managed to save it from the melting pot. I believe it wound up in a museum. The story as I remember it was that is was passed down the family from the original owner who had been a major in the ordinance dept.

OZ

Grammarnazi says: maybe ordnance department.

Para had a great post about the history of those. Dig around...you'll find it.