Colt Firearms Collector

The reason for my interest in this history and the Colt revolvers, is because my grandfather ran the Railway Express Agency in Okeechobee, Florida during the 1920s to the late 1940s.  He and his family of six children invested in various farming and other businesses and used the Railway Express Agency to ship produce he brokered up north by rail. 

I asked my 94 year old mother what their life was like during the Great 1928 Depression.  She thought about it for a minute and casually remarked: " We were 'filthy rich, due to our various businesses and farming before and during the hard times."  I had no idea!

The American Express Company (1850's to 1917)

The "American Express Company" started it's railroad express business in the 1850s, then lost it during WW-1 when  American Express was one of the monopolies that President Theodore Roosevelt had the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) investigate and dissolve during his administration.

During the winter of 1917, the United States suffered a severe coal shortage and on December 26 President Woodrow Wilson commandeered the railroads on behalf of the United States government to move federal troops, their supplies, and coal. It was  proposed that all existing express companies be consolidated into a single company to serve the country's needs. This ended American Express's express business.  The result was that a new company called the American Railway Express Co. formed in July 1918.

The American Express Co. service area in 1877

The American Railway Express Co. was formed in July 1918.

The new entity took custody of all the pooled equipment and property of existing express companies in 1917 (the largest share of which came from American Express, who had owned the rights to the express business over 71,280 miles of railroad lines, and had 10,000 offices, with over 30,000 employees).

The Railway Express Agency, Inc. (1928 to 1975)

On December 7, 1928, 86 of the nation�s railroads joined in setting up Railway Express Agency, Inc., which in 1929 bought out the American Railway Express Company and proceeded to operate the express business under private ownership.  Forty years later a group of the company�s officials secured controlling interest in the company, and in 1960 the company�s name was changed to REA Express, Inc.

Competition from the U.S. Postal Service and United Parcel Service led to drastic financial losses, and on February 18, 1975, REA filed for bankruptcy.

Factory engraved Colt revolver names and numbers

Colt Revolvers in use during the three generations

American Express Company

Colt .38 Model 1877 'Lightning' revolver  (1904) Am. Ex. Co.

Below, as part of this collection, is a late production Colt 1877 DA revolver SN.151922  which was manufactured in 1904, having the "American Express Company" marked back strap.  It was shipped from Colt to the company of Wm. Read and Sons, Boston, Mass. in 1904.

This revolver was part of the shipment of 50 guns (engraved with the American Express ownership markings and the numbers 1101-1150 at the Colt Factory) that were sent to the American Express purchasing agent William Read & Sons of Boston on June 15, 1904.  Only 1,200 of the Am Exp Co marked M1877 revolvers were purchased from Colt, making them a scarce and desirable addition to any advanced Colt or M1877 revolver collector.

A 'real' American Railway Company badge 2 3/4 in. dia.

American Express Company marked revolvers are more scarce than the Wells Fargo marked models and are highly sought after by collectors. The revolver is fitted with a 4 1/2 inch barrel in 38 Colt that has the ejector rod and the cylinder pin with the knurled cap on the end. The top of the barrel has the two-line address "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG CO/HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." and the left side is marked "COLT D.A. 38". The left side of the frame has the stacked Colt three-line/three-date patent markings.

As noted, the back strap is engraved in a script letter pattern "Am. Exp. No. 1007". The full serial number "151922" is located on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap, and the rear of the cylinder is correctly numbered "922".  It has the standard Colt hard rubber grips on the bird's head grip frame.

Winchester ammo box with Colt Lightning image on the label (Rare) in this collection

American Railway Express Colt Police .38 (1928) AM. RY. EXP

Police Positive DA revolver. Cal. 38 Colt Police. S# 182277. bbl. 4" with integral semicircular front sight. 6 Shot fluted cylinder. Blue finish.  Two piece checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt grips. The back strap is stamped "AM. RY. EXP". Revolvers were marked American Railway Express until March 1929, when its assets were transferred to the Railway Express Agency.   This revolver was manufactured in 1927.

Correct .38, 4 in. barrel Holster from Wm. Read & Sons Inc., Boston (172/38/4P)  Read & Sons were suppliers of Colt revolvers to the American Railway Express Co.  (Note the factory letter indicating the shipping of the Rwy Exp Agy revolver to Wm. Read & Sons Inc.)

Correct ammo box for the 1904 and 1928 Colt revolver

Railway Express Agency Colt Police .38 (1930) Ry. Ex. Agy.

The Railway Express Agency continued for years and finally ceased operation in 1975. The Hay days would have been through WWI and WWII, where they were very active.

This Railway Express Agency marked Colt Police Positive Double Action Revolver, #336088, .38 Colt cal., 4� barrel, blue finish, factory checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions.  Back strap is stamped �Ry. Ex. Agy.�   The revolver is in an  original �Railway Express� marked holster.  Also included is a factory letter verifying all features, including markings on the back strap.

This Colt shipped c/o W.S. Fields, Superintendent, Railway Express Agency Inc., San Francisco, CA, February 28, 1930, in a 200-gun shipment. Condition is near new retaining approx. 98% blue with most of the losses from holster wear. Grips are excellent with sharp checkering. Action is crisp, and the bore is bright.

Correct holster, Imprinted on flap: 'Railway Express Agency'

A 'real' Railway Express Agency badge 2 1/2 in. dia.

Correct ammo for the 1928 & 1930' Colt