April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
Serial No. 344 was shipped on August 17th, 1878 in a shipment of five guns to B. Kittredge Arms Co. in nickel finish with 7-1/2" barrel, .45 Colt and was furnished with Omnipotent roll mark (etched on barrel) with stocks not listed. This was only the second shipment of Omnipotents to Kittredge and the first with nickel guns as stated in "Colt’s Double Action Revolver Model of 1878" by Don Wilkerson, page 235. The factory historical letter details this gun as shown in the shipping records. An accompanying factory letter for a blue gun, number 212 (with 344 added) states “the serial numbers of the other four numbers are 322, 286, 323 and 340. The five nickel numbers are 319, 344, 290, 215 and 335”. The so-called early-fat grip checkered walnut grips were standard at that time. The gun exists today, just as listed in letter with nickel finish, fire blue trigger, back of hammer and screws; and finished with a lanyard ring. Barrel address is sharp. ".45 CAL" is stamped on left front trigger bow. Matching serial number on bottom of barrel and back of cylinder. The "OMNIPOTENT" legend is slightly worn but completely visible with all letters intact. Barrel retains approximately 90% original nickel, factory finish with light muzzle wear. 90% finish on frame turning grey forward of cylinder on both sides, with handling marks on both sides. Cylinder retains approximately 80% original nickel with wear on ends and bubbling/flaking on balance. Grips are excellent with usual minor dings. Indexes correctly. Fine, clean bore with minor abrasion. Generous amounts of fire blue. The term "Omnipotent" was coined by the Kittredge firm as a sales tool. It is arguably one of the scarcest and most in-demand Model 1878's ever made with a total production estimated at less than 160. These are seldom seen and eagerly sought and sports the so-called fat grip found only on First Models.This well- known example is also documented on page 135 of the book “Colt And It’s Collectors” (2003) and was a key specimen of the award winning best known collection of this model.