November 5th & 6th 2016 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2016
Manufactured 1879. According to the factory letter, this gun was shipped on January 31st, 1879 to Spies Kissam & Co., New York with blued finish, barrel and stocks not listed, in caliber .44-40. Letter notes not listed is usually an occasion of a 7-1/2" barrel and walnut stocks as these were considered standard issue for that time. This was only the second year of production of the Colt Frontier Six Shooter with etched panel on barrel. Revolver has all matching numbers on frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and stamped on bottom of barrel under ejector assembly. This was an early standard finish blued gun with case colored frame and one piece varnished walnut grips. This revolver is all original with all early features such as slant single line barrel address, forward frame screw, donut style ejector rod head. Matching serial number can be found in pencil inside the grip back strap channel. Grips retains approximately 75% original varnish on left side with two kill notches, right side retains approximately 20% original varnish, no cracks, original finish. Other early features include the underline hammer spur, and beveled cylinder. This fine, early revolver features a near-perfect etched panel. Barrel is a basically a mix of blue-brown-grey patina. Frame is likewise brown patina with a little forward light salt and pepper finish forward of cylinder. Cylinder is soft brown patina. Nice traces of original finish on back strap and hidden recesses of ejector rod housing. Action lines up perfectly. Locks up tight. Hammer spring seems a bit weak. Strong bore with very minor black powder corrosion. Overall a very clean, early etched panel in scarce factory blue finish.