October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
It is extremely difficult to imagine that a Colt Single Action Army manufactured in 1881 could survive in nearly unfired condition after nearly 140 years. This factory nickel black powder frame Colt was produced in full factory nickel in 1881 and features full or partial matching numbers on frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder and barrel. Frame has three line patent address. CONDITION: Nickel finish has taken on a soft, cloudy appearance and has never been polished. A few usual handling marks on nickel, but very minor. Barrel legend is razor sharp. Inside of chambers show virtually no signs of having been fired. Cylinder shows only light burn from having been fired once or twice. All surface contacts to frame are sharp. Very light drag line. One noticeable are of bubbling and flaking on left side of frame at rear screw, exposing raw metal. Some minor bubbling at left forward part of frame. A few minor freckles and a light flaked area on left side of muzzle. Front sight remains true. Screw heads are sharp. The one piece walnut grips retain most of the varnish with typical wear at base and are slightly undersized by simple shrinkage, which is most likely the case given the otherwise near mint condition of the revolver. Index and lock-up is as new. Bore exhibits razor sharp edges with slightly frosted grooves. This has to be one of the best early, black powder frame Armies extant. This gun was produced at a time on the Western Frontier that every cowboy whose life was on the line and could afford it, wanted the new Peacemaker. There is no factory letter but there should be, for if it was shipped to a Western destination or personage, its value would soar. CORRECTION: After further inspection, gun is believed to be a possible factory refinish.