May 13-15, 2025 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2025
According to the Colt factory archive letter, this gun left the factory as a .45-85-285 caliber with a 28" octagonal configuration barrel. Finish was blue with wood stocks. It was sold to Simmons Hardware Company, St Louis, Missouri. It was shipped to H. S. Keith North Platte, Nebraska on March 1, 1893 in a shipment of 3 guns. Colt only produced approximately 6496 large frame express rifles between 1887 and 1894. This rifle has the two line address and patent dates on the top flat of the barrel, "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. / PATENTED MAY 29, SEPT.18 83 MAY 26 86, JUNE 15 86, FEB. 22 87". The caliber designation is on the left side, "45-85-285". There is a rampant Colt logo on the left side of the receiver. Rocky Mountain front sight with a sporting rear sight. Straight grip rear stock with a crescent butt plate. Two piece checkered front stocks. CONDITION: The barrel and action retain some of the original factory applied blue finish. It has some scratches and handling marks in the finish from use and cleaning. The remainder of the metal has turned to a pleasing brown / gray patina. The rear stock is proud to metal with a few dings and dents. The butt plate has some rust spots. The checkering on the front stocks shows normal wear. The right side front stock has a small crack. Good bore with well defined lands and grooves. Action works correctly.