September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/5/2023
In 1876, Colt produced what is generally agreed upon among Colt Collectors as 30 Colt Single Action Army frames with a machined top strap channel featuring a pinned flip-up leaf rear sight and a special barrel length of 10, 12, or 16 inches. From the years 1876-1884, factory records indicate that only 19 of these special framed revolvers would be completed and shipped. Of the 19, 12 would have 16" barrels, 4 would have 10" barrels, and 1 with a 12" barrel. The other 2 remaining special revolvers were shipped as barrel length "unknown". These special revolvers were originally released in 1876 as the "Buggy Special", but are famously known today as the "Buntline Special" after years of continuous association with Western lore and legends. This is one of these legendary guns. Features include 5" cut down original barrel with block barrel address chambered in .45 Colt with blade front sight and flip-up rear sight mounted in frame channel. 2 line patent marking on left side of frame featuring the dates September 19, 1871, and July 2, 1872. Blackpowder frame complete with donut ejector rod head. Matching serial numbers observed on barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, and cylinder. Walnut grips are not serial numbered but appear to be the originals. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter listing caliber as .45, original barrel length as 16", original finish as blue, type of stocks as "not listed" (which typically meant that the grips were whatever was standard, and walnut was typical for this era), and that this gun was part of a March 30, 1880 shipment to B. Kittredge and Co in Cincinnati, OH in a shipment of 5 guns of same type. This was the largest shipment of these Buntline Special revolvers. Additional provenance includes page 25 of "A Study of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver" by Graham, Kopec, and Moore in the list of Buntline Specials factory recorded or considered original by most knowledgeable Colt SAA collectors. CONDITION: Good, with virtually all of the original finishes turned a speckled brown patina. Barrel was cut down to 5" during the period, and front sight was remounted, probably to make the gun more usable in drawing from a holster. Ejector rod head was brazed back on to ejector rod after breaking off at some point. Grips retain less than half of their original finish, fit correctly, and show no major cracks or signs of distress outside of heavy handling marks on butt. Mechanically fine with all 4 hammer stops. Bore is dark with faint rifling. A chance to own a Colt legend that shows honest heavy use and period modification to make it a more efficient tool in the hands of its user.