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LOT 3187
Colt Single Action Army Bisley Model Cut Away Revolver - Serial no. 156459, 38 Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel plated finish, walnut grips. This revolver is nickel plated and features cut aways on the left side, which consist of a 1 inch cut on the
barrel, one at the forcing cone, ten on the frame, nine at the rear and one over the trigger (the recoil shield has been flattened), two cuts in the cylinder and two on the grip, one upper and
one at the bottom. The top of the barrel is marked with the one line address and “38 COLT” on the left rear. A small number “2” is marked on the upper left front of the trigger guard, and the matching restamped serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard
and back strap. The hammer and trigger appear to have been casehardened and the grips are smooth walnut. This Bisley cutaway follows in the footsteps of the long tradition of “skeleton arms” design work that was initially started by company founder Samuel Colt who found
such designs useful for “demonstration and promotional purposes.” In May 2022 Rock Island Auction Co. sold a factory cut away second generation SAA no. 38596SA (lot 3180, $11,750) and in “The Book of Colt Firearms” R.L Wilson identifies SAA no. 15407 as a factory “cutaway,
demonstrator and assembler” (page 246). These two SAAs share very similar cutouts to this Bisley. Like this Bisley, No. 15407 has a partially removed recoil shield to accommodate the frame cutouts that are nearly identical in both quantity and design.
CONDITION: Excellent as professionally restored. The metal surfaces retain 98% plus nickel plating with some mild frosting, some light spotting in the cylinder flutes and a cylinder drag line. The grips are near mint with a few light dings and handling marks. The markings are clear and crisp. The action is excellent.
Estimate: 7,500 - 9,500
LOT 3188
Desirable Nickel Plated Colt Black Powder Acid Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 123914, 44-40 WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The .44-40 WCF
SAA has found a special place in the hearts of Peacemaker collectors. When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 WCF SAA was
intended to be used in conjunction with the another legendary Western icon, the Winchester Model 1873 Rifle, which used the same
cartridge. As Colt author David Brown said, “This combination of a rifle and a six shooter using the same cartridge made it possible for
their user to buy only one kind of ammunition, and he could carry ‘fodder’ for both guns in the same cartridge belt.” In the hands of
ranchers, cavalrymen, lawmen, and outlaws, the Peacemaker’s legacy was forged out in the hostile American West. Its association with
the Wild West has made it one of the most collectible American handguns. This example was manufactured in 1887. The scarce 5 1/2 inch
barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and the acid etched panel “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” on the left side. The left side of the
frame has the three-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked “44 CAL.” Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 75% plus untouched original nickel plating with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The very fine original acid etched panel is clearly legible. The replacement grips are fine with a few minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A solid example of a nickel black powder Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army revolver that is a physical reminder of a bygone era deeply entrenched in the American spirit.
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000
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