GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
FINE COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH CARVED AMERICAN EAGLE GRIPS SHIPPED TO EL PASO,TEXAS. COLT SAA 328219 44 MODERN; IVORY Cal. 44. Blue and case color with 4-3/4″ bbl, full front sight and 2-line address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER 44-40″ roll marked on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates & rampant Colt. Mounted with 2-pc, Colt medallion, ivory grips with a stooping eagle & American shield on right side. Accompanied by a copy of Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal. 44-40 with 4-3/4" bbl, blue finish, type of stocks not listed & shipped to Krakauer, Zork & Moye, El Paso, TX on Feb. 13, 1913 in a 10-gun shipment. Given the destination of the shipment of El Paso, TX, it is almost certain that this revolver would have been sold to a local rancher or cowboy, law enforcement officer or possibly into Mexico. Most of the Texas shipped firearms during cowboy era saw hard use and are usually found without any orig finish. Given the circumstances of their use, especially those that went to Mexico, it is rare to find an El Paso sold SAA with any orig finish and this is a beautiful example retaining virtually all its orig finish, especially fine patriotic American eagle and shield carved into ivory grips. PROVENANCE: Ex-Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 90-92% glossy orig blue with only some holster wear on left side of muzzle & some slight thinning on left side; ejector housing retains 85-88% strong original blue with wear only on the outer radius; frame & hammer retains virtually all of their case colors, bright in the most sheltered areas, moderately faded elsewhere; cylinder retains 50-60% original blue with loss areas flaked to a medium patina; trigger guard and back strap retain 85-90% original blue, strong and bright in sheltered areas, thinning on the front and back straps with wear at the heel & toe. "Certifiable antique elephant ivory" grips have several hairline cracks and there is about 1/4" round carved plug on eagle's wing which appears orig to carving of grips with an internal putty repair to screw escutcheon opposite this plug. The carved eagle grip has lighter patina than smooth grip, but both appear orig and well fit to time of use. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 50412-41 JS (7,500-12,500)