GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
SCARCE ETCHED PANEL COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.COLTFRONTIER SAA10512844 WCFCal. 44 WCF (44-40). Scarce blue and color case hardened revolver with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight, 1-line block letter address and a crisp etched panel "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER". Bottom of bbl has a tiny "44" and last four digits of matching serial number are found under ejector housing. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked "44 C.F.". Mounted with a varnished 1-pc walnut grip that has last four digits of matching SN in the back strap channel. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal 44-40 with 7-1/2" bbl, blue finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, Mo. Sept 26, 1885, in a 10-gun shipment. Under remarks the letter states "It is of further interest to note that a considerable number of revolvers shipped in this time frame are noted as supplied with rubber stocks. This notation is not included for subject revolver which would indicate that it was equipped with stocks of another configuration." Etched panel Single Actions are in and of themselves somewhat scarce, having been produced for only a short period of time. Surviving examples encountered today are mostly nickel finish with blued examples retaining any orig finish, especially a complete etched panel are extremely rare. Given that this revolver was produced during the great Westward expansion of Manifest Destiny and that it was shipped to one of the major suppliers on the westward route. It is almost certain that this revolver would have been used by one of the American pioneers. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip. Bbl retains about 75% flaked, glossy orig blue with a streak of holster wear on the left side and a crisp etched panel; frame retains bright case colors in the front gullets, moderately faded elsewhere; hammer retains bright case colors, turned dark on top edge; trigger guard and backstrap retain strong, bright blue with the front & back straps a blue/grey patina; cyl retains about 75% orig blue, strong in the flutes, flaked on the outer diameter; ejector housing retains glossy bright blue in the gullets and flaked to a blue/grey patina on the outer radius; base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Grip is sound showing light edge wear, a few nicks & dings and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with scattered very fine pitting. A fine rare Colt. 49450-13 JR (35,000-50,000)