November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
Manufactured 1876. Colt had an agreement with several large New York dealers, most notably Hartley & Graham, in which U.S. military revolvers that did not pass strict military inspection were sold in bulk, at which time the retailer would apply a nickel finish and ivory grips and sell them to the retail trade as a cowboy gun. This is one such revolver. The frame has an original "J.T.C." for John T. Cleveland, a Colt inspector from serial number range 30693 to 35569. All matching serial numbers on backstrap, trigger guard, frame and cylinder. Cannot remove ejector rod housing to check barrel number, but it appears correct and finish matches. No other visible JTC stamps. There is a "C" stamped over the "JTC" for 'condemned'. Frame has the early three line patent address. One line Colt barrel address with serifs. All markings visible. No caliber markings which is proper for this era revolver, as .45 Colt was the sole caliber for this model and most of these early guns were manufactured for the U.S. government, making them extremely scarce for the general public. Has the early first variation style donut ejector rod head. Front sight has not been filed. All proper small parts for this year manufacture including correct first style hammer. All screw heads are fairly square. Barrel retains approximately 25% of the New York applied nickel finish. Ejector rod housing retains approximately 50% of this nickel finish. Frame retains approximately 70% of the nickel finish. Trigger guard and backstrap retain approximately 80%. The one piece ivory grips appear to have been on this gun since gun was finished. Cylinder retains approximately 60% nickel finish. All four Colt clicks. Indexes and locks up perfectly. Strong rifling with some black powder residue. A nice, honest and homogeneous extremely early Colt single action and a very good example of a civilian converted condemned U.S. military.