GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXCEPTIONAL COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER ETCHED PANEL FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER WITH ONE-PIECE VARNISHED WALNUT GRIP.COLTSAA10306944 WCFCal. 44 WCF. 4 3/4" bbl. Full nickel finish. Blue screws. Nickel hammer and trigger. One-piece varnished walnut grip. This is a truly exceptional and very hard to find Colt Frontier Six Shooter that was made in 1885. Revolvers of this type were put to work almost immediately and very few exist today in this state of preservation. Bbl is etched with Colt Frontier Six Shooter logo on left side. Two-line bbl address with index mark near frame and a small "44" stamped on underside of bbl. The frame shows standard three-line patent mark on left side without a Rampant Colt. The left flat of frame, under backstrap has an "A" inspector mark and there is a "1" stamped in channel under hammer. The assembly number 865 is stamped on rear face of loading gate and on forward bottom of frame under trigger guard. The serial number is stamped on frame, backstrap, and trigger guard. The last four digits of serial number are written in ink in backstrap channel of grip. Cylinder has an "L" stamped on rear face between two chambers. "44C.F." is stamped on forward left bow of trigger guard. All of these markings are correct for this revolver. Accompanying this revolver is a Colt factory letter confirming cal., bbl length, and finish. The type of stocks are not listed which infers that they were standard wood grip of the time. The letter shows this revolver was shipped to Folsom Bros. New York, NY on April 7, 1885 in a 5 gun shipment. CONDITION: Very fine for a revolver of this type. Bbl retains 95% of orig nickel finish that has turned somewhat dull with age. Colt Frontier Six Shooter etched panel on left side of bbl is excellent with all letters clearly visible. The two-line bbl address is sharp and crisp. The front sight retains nearly all of nickel finish and is full-sized. The bore is excellent with strong rifling. Ejector rod housing retains 20-30% of nickel finish with balance turning a pleasing uncleaned chocolate brown patina. Ejector rod screw retains some orig fire blue with a slight mar from the use of an improper sized screwdriver. Ejector rod head retains 50% orig nickel. The frame retains 90% of orig nickel finish with main loss on left side in front of cylinder. Right side in front of cylinder also shows flaking. These areas have turned a chocolate brown patina and appear to have never been heavily cleaned. Patent marks of left side of frame are sharp. Hammer and trigger retain 95% of nickel finish with some slight abrasion on left side of hammer. Frame screws, trigger guard screws and backstrap screws are unmarred and retain nearly all of orig fire blue finish. Base pin is unmarred and retains a considerable amount of fire blue finish. Cylinder retains 90% orig nickel finish with one area of loss in one flute. Some light flaking on high points of flutes. A slight drag mark is evident at rear of cylinder. Front face of cylinder has flaked nickel turned chocolate brown patina. Trigger guard retains 50-60% of orig nickel finish with most of loss on right side behind trigger and on lower portion of forestrap, again turning to a chocolate brown patina. Cal mark on trigger guard bow is crisp and sharp. Backstrap retains 90% orig nickel finish with most of loss at heel. 1-pc walnut grip retains nearly all of orig high gloss varnish finish with high point wear and slight handling marks. Right side of grip butt is lightly battered with a few small dents. Action is fine. An opportunity to obtain a very difficult to find, and wonderfully preserved example of a workingman''s Colt Single Action Army revolver with a short bbl, etched panel, and varnished walnut grip. 49766-5 TEP (15,000-18,000)