November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
1875 vintage Colt Civilian Single Action Revolver, serial number 16259. 7 - 1/2" round barrel chambered in .45 Colt with single line italicized Colt Hartford, CT barrel address with serifs on each end, early low profile blade front sight, and frame V-notch rear. Nickel finish. 2-line patent dates on left side of frame and trigger guard is marked "45 CAL" on left side. Early Donut ejector rod head with Beryllium copper spring. Nitre blued center pin and screws. 1-piece plain walnut grips. Matching serial numbers observed on frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, and barrel underneath ejector rod housing. Complete with an American walnut casing with purple velvet lining and a wooden cartridge block drilled for 50 cartridges along with a compartment for a full box of cartridges. It has a mortised brass lock with brass keyhole-shaped escutcheon. Case is accompanied by an "L" shaped Colt screwdriver and a small wooden grease box. It is further accompanied by a Colt Factory letter stating that the record for this revolver is not available. However, the letter identifies serial numbers 16254, 16256, 16258, 16260, and 16261, which were all shipped with nickel plating. Given the fact that a 1-piece wood grip was the standard for that time, it can be assumed that this revolver was shipped with original nickel plating and wood grip. Numbers in grip strap panel matches the gun's serial numbers. This revolver once was part of the famous George R. Repaire Collection and is accompanied by a copy of a letter from Mr. Repaire dated November 14, 1978, to Tom Odom of Huntsville, Alabama, wherein he states he purchased this revolver at least 27 years prior to that date at the San Francisco Gun Exchange for $388.00. He states that he parted with it reluctantly. In addition, there is a copy of an advertising page from The Gun Report, date not indicated, for Ron Ogan of Ogan’s Antiques, well-known Colt single action dealer, advertising this revolver for sale. Ogan states in the ad that Mr. Odom had sold this revolver to a Mr. Richard Atkinson, a well-known collector, and he further states that this exact revolver is pictured on p. 18 of the book "The Colt Single Action Army Revolver" by Kopec, Graham & Moore and that the barrel address is pictured on p. 15 of that same book. There is also a copy of a photograph of this revolver in its case with the cartridge block filled with cartridges. CONDITION: Excellent plus, and retaining nearly all of the original nickel plating, with appropriate age-related light flaking and light handling marks throughout. Flaking is mostly on left side of muzzle, left side of frame, left side of hammer, and on cylinder. Screws and center pin are unmolested and retain bright original peacock blue Nitre bluing. Grips are original, well-fitting, and show no major signs of distress other than light handling marks near butt. Action is tight and crisp. Bore is overall bright and lightly frosted with sharp rifling and modest abrasion near muzzle from use with corrosive black powder cartridges. Case is very good with storage and handling marks throughout. Lining retains a pleasing dark purple color with age-related impressions from the gun being in the case for an extended period of time. An extremely fine and early Colt Civilian Single Action Revolver with an extremely scarce American walnut casing worthy of display. TON
Caliber/Bore
.45 Long Colt
Model
Single Action Civilian