Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army Sheriff's Model, Mississippi River Gambler, Natchez Special Edition

Serial Number: SA45117

Year of Manufacture: 1980, ATF C&R

Caliber: Cylinders are included chambered for .44 Special and .44-40 Winchester

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side-Loading Cylinder

Barrel Length: 3"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth faux-ivory panels with Colt Custom Shop medallions. The left panel has a "dead man's hand" and the right has a pair of dice. The inside of each panel has "176" hand-written, almost certainly an assembly number or factory error as these grips were only made for this Special Edition. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Gold

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are only a few minor marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in Colt custom shop presentation case french fit for the revolver, extra cylinder, a pack of Colt playing cards and two dice. Only one of the original two Colt branded dice is included, the other is missing. The case includes a key as well as factory paperwork including manual.

Our Assessment: Colt's Sheriff's Model revolvers are among the most desirable variations of the Single Action Army, from the first generation to this very day. In addition to more standard variations of the Sheriff, there have been some limited editions, and this is from one of the most limited. In 1980, Colt released the Mississippi River Gambler Special Editions, 40 revolvers each for five of the most famous cities on the eponymous river, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Memphis and St. Louis, for a total of 200 revolvers.

This is number 40 from the Natchez series, in Excellent condition and appearing to have seen minimal handling and no firing. The revolver comes in its presentation case with a pack of Colt branded playing cards and, sadly, only one of its original two dice. With cylinders chambered for the classic .44-40 as well as the slightly more modern .44 Special cartridges, should you choose to use this revolver, it will prove to be quite versatile. As it is, it will make a wonderful display in any collection as one of the more rare Colt Sheriff's Model revolvers available. Please see our pictures and good luck!