GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE COLT MODEL 1871/72 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. COLT 1871/72 OPEN TOP 3051 44 RF IVORY Cal. 44 RF. Nickel finish with 7-1/2" rnd bbl, full front sight with Richards - Mason style fixed rear sight at the breech end and 1-line "New York U.S. America" address. The iron grip frame contains a 1-pc Army sized "certifiable antique ivory" grip that is made in the orig style consisting of 2-pcs of ivory attached to a wooded spacer block. Left side of frame is marked with the 1871 & 1872 patent dates in 2-lines. Firing pin is affixed to left side of hammer nose with 2 rivets. There were about 7000 of these very important revolvers produced in their own serial range in the period 1872-1873. They were the bridge between earlier conversions and the venerable Model 1873 Single Action Army revolver. This model was manufactured with orig parts, not converted from previously used or leftover parts. Right side of bbl lug has an attached ejector housing with bullseye ejector rod head like the Richards - Mason conversions. These revolvers were readily accepted by the buying public and usually saw very hard service on the American frontier. After the advent of the Model 1873 Single Action Army revolver, many of the production later wound up in Mexico, South & Central America where the rimfire cartridge was still prevalent, Few of those revolvers repatriated to the US arrive with any orig finish with most having had their bbls cut. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except wedge which is an old replacement. Overall retains about 98% strong, orig nickel with some battering on the backstrap and light nicks on the buttstrap. Cylinder has a couple of small scattered spots of flaking and shows about 98% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. Screws retain most of their orig fire blue, a little thin. Hammer retains strong case colors and firing pin most of its orig fire blue. Mechanics are fine. Grip, probably an old replacement shows heavy wear with some damage by the buttstrap and several areas of fill, and overall retains a very dark, yellow ivory patina. Strong bright bore with a couple patches of rust. 49059-95 JR (6,000-10,000)