February 17-19, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/17/2020
Blue and color case hardened with 8" round barrel, German silver front sight and New York, US America address. Three screw frame has “COLT’S PATENT” on left side and “44 CAL” on left rear of trigger guard. Cylinder is rebated with usual six shots, with W.L. Ormsby Naval Battle Scene roll marking which is crisp and completely discernible. Cylinder retains five of its original safety pins. Silver plated brass trigger guard and blued steel backstrap contains a fine varnished one piece walnut grip. Colt Armies saw hard use throughout the Civil War and on the Western frontier. Finding such an exceptional gun still in original Colt casing with fine accessories is a rare find. This cased Colt Army was part of “the most historically significant Colt exhibit in 100 years” which took over two years of planning and preparation at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY. The exhibit was titled, “Colt: The Legacy of a Legend”. A 400 page hard back catalog of this exhibit was published in 2003 by the Colt Collector’s Association and this particular gun and casing are pictured and detailed on p.94. A copy of this book along with copy of museum release to consignor accompanies this revolver. Lot includes catalog from Buffalo Bill Historical Center Exhibit: "Colt: The Legacy of a Legend". CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching external numbers as gun was not disassembled. Barrel retains 90%+ original bright blue with high edge wear with some small scratches and patches turning plum. Frame, loading assembly, and hammer retain about 60% case colors with balance silver/grey with some spotting and small scratches. Cylinder retains about 20% original bright blue finish with balance gray/brown matching rest of gun. Cylinder has rust and pitting around cones. Backstrap retains about 20% blue finish. Trigger guard retains traces of silver plating in protected areas. Grips are sound and solid and very well fit retaining about 90% of their original varnish with numerous small dents and blemishes with edge wear. A prior owner carved initials “K” into each side of buttstock. Gun functions mechanically well. Bright, crisp bore. Colt Patent flask retains about 70% of its original varnish on obverse with design less on reverse. Flask’s angle style spout has heavier patina and spring retains most of its original fire blue. “Colt Patent” two cavity mold is marked “44H” and retains about 70-80% of its original thinning blue. L-shaped nipple wrench/screw driver combination tool is fine and retains traces of its original finish. Pack of 44 Cal. “Revolving Holster Pistol” cartridges is also in fine condition. Mahogany casing is sound overall with faded purple velvet lining retaining much of its original varnish though thinning with the expected small bruises and blemishes after 150 years. TDW