April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
The factory letter lists serial number 86938 as having been sent in a ten gun shipment on February 10th, 1883 to Simmons Hardware, St. Louis as a factory engraved, nickel finish, 5-1/2" .44 caliber revolver. The records further indicate that this gun was returned by Simmons on February 2nd, 1887 with the barrel being factory changed from 5-1/2" to 4-3/4" and was reshipped to Simmons on February 14th, 1887. 4-3/4" etched panel Single Action Armies are extremely difficult to find in any grade or condition. This revolver has the distinctive engraved circles around the screws, which would indicate it was engraved by L.D. Nimschke or his shop. Engraved in a beautiful floral design with an exquisite border around the etched panel. Engraving is nearly full coverage. Matching serial number on frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. Each point is stamped with the letter "S" which we have never seen before and may have been done when the revolver was reshipped. This revolver is fitted with a stunning pair of real Mother of Pearl grips that have an eagle and snake carving on right panel. The etched panel is near mint. Legends are sharp. CONDITION: There is some light age freckling on barrel and cylinder but this revolver retains fully 85-90% of the original factory nickel with light bubbling on a couple spots on cylinder. Other areas of wear are nominal and perfectly blending with the rest of the gun. Even the screws have generous amounts of the original nitre blue finish. Locks up like new. Near mint bore. Absolutely outstanding short barrel, factory engraved Colt in lovely, untouched, all original condition. There simply aren't enough superlatives to fully describe this revolver.
Model
Frontier Six Shooter