Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this single-action revolver today for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt Sheriff's Model customized for Colt Historian Kathleen J. Hoyt!
This example remains New Old Stock, showing no evidence of consumer use or handling whatsoever.
Kathleen J. Hoyt served as Colt’s Company Historian and Archivist, and for many years was the primary authority responsible for researching, verifying, and issuing Colt Factory Archive Letters. In that role, she had access to Colt’s original shipping ledgers, order books, Custom Shop records, engraving logs, distributor files, and internal correspondence dating back more than a century. Her task was not simply clerical — she interpreted historical entries, confirmed original configurations, and provided provenance that collectors, museums, law-enforcement agencies, and auction houses relied upon to authenticate Colt firearms. During a period when public interest in vintage and collectible Colts surged, Hoyt’s research standards and documentation practices helped re-establish the value and trustworthiness of Colt’s archival program. George Spring was one of Colt’s Master Engravers during the era when the Colt Custom Shop was rebuilding its in-house engraving tradition in the 1960s through the 1980s. Trained in the classic American scroll tradition, Spring worked alongside and under the same lineage that produced engravers like Al DeJohn, Leonard Francolini, W.C. Davis, and others who carried forward the hand-cut aesthetic originating in the 19th-century Colt shop. Spring’s style is characterized by balanced, flowing scrollwork, tight shading cuts, and a strong sense of proportion across the frame, barrel, and cylinder. His engraving stayed rooted in traditional Colt motifs rather than leaning toward overly modern or experimental forms, which is one reason his work remains visually timeless.
The included factory letter confirms the current finish, barrel length, caliber, extra cylinder, and display case when it was shipped to Aeromarine of Birmingham, AL, on January 28, 1983. It further states that on July 26, 2011 the revolver was returned to the factory and inscribed "K. HOYT" on the back strap by Master Engraver George Spring. The engraving was done for long time Colt Historian Kathleen J. Hoyt, whose name appears in the factory letterhead.
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SPECIFICATIONS:Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Sheriff's Model / Sheriff
Serial: SA63758
Date of Manufacture: 1983
Caliber: .44 Special / .44-40
Finish: Royal Blue / Case Color Hardened
Barrel Length: 3"
Optics/Sights: Frame Notched Rear w/ Fixed Blade Front
Stock/Grips: Smooth Wooden Two-Piece Grips
Action: Single-Action
Markings: Standard / Inscribed “K. Hoyt” on the backstrap with block style letters
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
For nearly 150 years, Colt’s Hartford, Connecticut works produced the Single Action Army in .45 Colt, offering many barrel lengths, finishes, calibers, and special-order options. One of the more enduring variations is the so-called “Sheriff’s Model” (also called the “Storekeeper’s Model” by some collectors), a form that dates back to the 19th century and was originally known at the factory as the “ejectorless” Single Action. Rather than fitting the usual ejector rod and housing to the barrel, these guns were built without them to produce a simpler, easier-to-carry revolver suited to frontier use—short engagements where rapid reloading was not the priority. Colt produced these on special order and would fit barrels to customer preference; over time, the 3" and 4" barrels proved the most popular for this configuration. The absence of an ejector rod also changed the frame profile. Standard SAAs have a small loop or socket on the front right edge of the frame that accepts the rear of the ejector housing; remove the rod, and the loop becomes unnecessary. Early Sheriff’s Models were made by modifying standard frames (removing the loop), which left an asymmetrical and somewhat awkward profile. In later short production runs, including post-World War II remakes and modern editions, Colt used purpose-made frames with a cleaner, symmetrical contour. Reloading an ejectorless SAA requires a short dowel or similar tool to punch out spent cases—historically a wooden dowel, and today often just a pencil or ballpoint pen. To satisfy collectors and traditionalists, Colt has offered the new Sheriff’s Model in both 3" and the more period-popular 4" barrels and in multiple chamberings.
Model: Sheriff's Model / Sheriff
Serial: SA63758
Date of Manufacture: 1983
Caliber: .44 Special / .44-40
Finish: Royal Blue / Case Color Hardened
Barrel Length: 3"
Optics/Sights: Frame Notched Rear w/ Fixed Blade Front
Stock/Grips: Smooth Wooden Two-Piece Grips
Action: Single-Action
Markings: Standard / Inscribed “K. Hoyt” on the backstrap with block style letters
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
For nearly 150 years, Colt’s Hartford, Connecticut works produced the Single Action Army in .45 Colt, offering many barrel lengths, finishes, calibers, and special-order options. One of the more enduring variations is the so-called “Sheriff’s Model” (also called the “Storekeeper’s Model” by some collectors), a form that dates back to the 19th century and was originally known at the factory as the “ejectorless” Single Action. Rather than fitting the usual ejector rod and housing to the barrel, these guns were built without them to produce a simpler, easier-to-carry revolver suited to frontier use—short engagements where rapid reloading was not the priority. Colt produced these on special order and would fit barrels to customer preference; over time, the 3" and 4" barrels proved the most popular for this configuration. The absence of an ejector rod also changed the frame profile. Standard SAAs have a small loop or socket on the front right edge of the frame that accepts the rear of the ejector housing; remove the rod, and the loop becomes unnecessary. Early Sheriff’s Models were made by modifying standard frames (removing the loop), which left an asymmetrical and somewhat awkward profile. In later short production runs, including post-World War II remakes and modern editions, Colt used purpose-made frames with a cleaner, symmetrical contour. Reloading an ejectorless SAA requires a short dowel or similar tool to punch out spent cases—historically a wooden dowel, and today often just a pencil or ballpoint pen. To satisfy collectors and traditionalists, Colt has offered the new Sheriff’s Model in both 3" and the more period-popular 4" barrels and in multiple chamberings.
Kathleen J. Hoyt served as Colt’s Company Historian and Archivist, and for many years was the primary authority responsible for researching, verifying, and issuing Colt Factory Archive Letters. In that role, she had access to Colt’s original shipping ledgers, order books, Custom Shop records, engraving logs, distributor files, and internal correspondence dating back more than a century. Her task was not simply clerical — she interpreted historical entries, confirmed original configurations, and provided provenance that collectors, museums, law-enforcement agencies, and auction houses relied upon to authenticate Colt firearms. During a period when public interest in vintage and collectible Colts surged, Hoyt’s research standards and documentation practices helped re-establish the value and trustworthiness of Colt’s archival program. Hoyt’s signature on a Colt Archive Letter is held in high regard because she represented a crucial link between the factory’s historical records and the collector market. Before the digitization of serial and shipping data, virtually all provenance depended on human interpretation of handwritten ledgers — meaning her expertise directly determined how a firearm’s history was understood. Many of the most important Single Action Army discoveries, engraved presentation revolvers, law-enforcement shipments, and factory prototype identifications were confirmed under her tenure. For collectors today, a firearm accompanied by an original Colt letter bearing Kathleen J. Hoyt’s signature carries not just documentation, but the assurance of authenticity from the historian who helped define modern Colt archival verification — making her role foundational to Colt scholarship and collector culture. George Spring was one of Colt’s Master Engravers during the era when the Colt Custom Shop was rebuilding its in-house engraving tradition in the 1960s through the 1980s. Trained in the classic American scroll tradition, Spring worked alongside and under the same lineage that produced engravers like Al DeJohn, Leonard Francolini, W.C. Davis, and others who carried forward the hand-cut aesthetic originating in the 19th-century Colt shop. Spring’s style is characterized by balanced, flowing scrollwork, tight shading cuts, and a strong sense of proportion across the frame, barrel, and cylinder. His engraving stayed rooted in traditional Colt motifs rather than leaning toward overly modern or experimental forms, which is one reason his work remains visually timeless. Spring’s importance to collectors comes from the fact that he engraved entirely by hand, at a time when most commercial firearms engraving was shifting toward acid-etching, roll-marking, and laser shortcuts. Colt’s “Master Engraver” designation wasn’t a marketing label — it required demonstrated artistic ability, consistency, and the skill to layout and execute scrollwork across complex curved surfaces without templates. Firearms signed or factory-documented to George Spring represent a known, individual craftsman, not anonymous decorative work. As a result, his engraved Colts are sought after because they represent true Colt Custom Shop artistry: one engraver’s hand, one firearm, executed in the classic Colt tradition that traces directly back to the golden era of American arms engraving.
Contents:
Contents:
This example will ship with the Factory-Original Colt case, extra cylinder, and Colt Factory Letter! This example remains New Old Stock, showing no evidence of consumer use or handling whatsoever.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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