October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
This rare revolver was manufactured in the first year of production in 1860. It has never seen all original 7 - 1/2 inch barrel instead of 8 inches. Frame is stamped "Colt's Patent" on left side. Top of the barrel has the Hartford Connecticut address and the long flute cylinder is stamped "Patented Sept. 10th 1850." Left side of barrel has inspector stamp "P." Left rear trigger bow has inspector stamp "G." Cut for shoulder stock with corresponding two frame extension screws. Trigger guard is silver plated brass, backstrap is silver plated steel. You will find full or partial matching serial numbers on the following parts: Frame, barrel, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, wedge, cylinder pin. All metal surfaces were silver plated contemporary to the era of the revolver. The silver plating is bubbling on the backstrap, mixed with brown patina. The trigger guard plating remains at approximately 70%. Silver plating on barrel remains at about 85% with some freckling and age spotting. Silver on the frame is 95% blending with shiny steel. Cylinder retains 95% or better silver plating with some very minor age freckling. The nipples appear to be all original. Safety pins were replaced long ago and all extend beyond cylinder. One piece varnished walnut grips fit perfectly with normal abrasions, wear at base, and wear from shoulder stock attachment. Bore exhibits strong rifling with usual minor abrasion but the edges are sharp. Gun indexes and locks up like new. On left side of the grip is etched "P.D. to C.S."
The shoulder stock bears the same serial number as the revolver. The lower tang is stamped 14 which could be a possible inventory or rack number. All the hardware has been silver plated as well. There are a couple of minor stress cracks in metal at wrist. You will find matching serial number 1103 at silver plated buttplate with silver plated screwheads on the entire stock. There is also a silver plated lanyard loop and ring attached to lower tang. Walnut stock is excellent, proud to metal, with usual dings but all minor.
Extremely difficult to find a short barrel 1860 with all matching numbers, long flute cylinder, and original matching shoulder stock. In fact, this is the only example that we are aware of and it is in beautiful condition.
Caliber/Bore
.44 Percussion