GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.COLTFRONTIER SIX SHOOTER10603644-40Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2" bbl; full front sight and 1-line block letter address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" etched panel on left side. Bottom of bbl is stamped with a tiny "44" and tiny British proofs forward of the base pin. It also has last four digits of matching SN under ejector housing. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and it is mounted with varnished 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in back strap channel. Right front side of grip is stamped "WG". Cylinder also has last four digits of matching SN on outer diameter along with tiny British proofs. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver in caliber 44-40, bbl length & type of stocks not listed, blue finish and shipped to Colt''s London Agency on Feb. 25, 1884 in a 24-gun shipment. Handguns of this Cal. are not usually a British sidearm. It most likely was purchased by big a game hunter as a companion piece to his 1873 Winchester rifles in the same Cal. he used on hunting trips to Africa & India. Those arms usually saw hard service & are rarely found with orig high finish. Few have been returned to the U.S. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip. Bbl retains about 30% orig blue in sheltered areas, mostly under and around ejector housing; etched panel is completely visible & balance of bbl is a gray metal patina; frame retains 50-60% fading case colors, strong in sheltered areas with the balance turning silver; hammer retains about 90% faded case colors; trigger guard retains 70-75% thinning orig blue with front strap mostly gray patina; back strap has strong blue at the top being mostly a gray/brown patina; cyl retains strong blue in the flutes with the outer diameter a silver/blue/brown patina. Grip shows moderate edge wear with a couple of small chips in left heel and overall retains about 85% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate pitting 50138-2 JR (8,000-12,000)