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LOT 130
Documented London
Shipped Army and
Navy C.S.L. Cased
Antique Colt Frontier
Six Shooter Single
Action Army Revolver
with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 164699, 44-40
WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1896, this is a fine example of a London shipped Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army revolver that was retailed by Army and Navy C.S.L. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration, grips not listed, as well as shipment to Colt’s London Agency on 23 March 1896. The Army and Navy organization began as a cooperative in 1871, providing a variety of goods to British military officers
and their families, before evolving into an expansive chain of department stores in the late 19th
and early 20th century. The top of the barrel has the standard one-line address while the Frontier
Six Shooter marking is on the left. The left of the frame is marked with the two-line patent dates
and the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, while the loading gate has the assembly number “121”. There are British proofs on the bottom of the barrel and on the cylinder. It is fitted with blade front and frame top groove rear sights, as well as a lanyard stud and ring on the butt, which was likely added by the retailer, and a pair of smooth antique ivory grips. Includes an oak presentation case with Army and Navy C.S.L interior label and an empty Winchester .44-40 W.C.F. cartridge box.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% of the original blue finish and 30% of the original case colors in sheltered areas with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered light dings. The period replacement grips are very good with some scattered hairline age cracks and minimal light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is good with mild handling/storage wear. The cartridge box is very fine with minimal wear.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
LOT 131
Acid Etched Panel Black Powder Colt Frontier Six Shooter
Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no.
54394, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut 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. “The .44-40 WCF was added to the list of Colt calibers for use with the popular Winchester rifle of the same
caliber,” wrote Colt author David Brown. “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.” The included factory letter states
the revolver was shipped on March 11, 1880, to Hartley & Graham of New York City with blue finish and .44-40 caliber chambering. The barrel length and type of stocks are not listed, a common indication of standard 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks. This shipment was for 30 guns.
The frame is from a surplus U.S. government contract as the U.S. sub-inspector initials “DFC” for David F. Clark are stamped on the underside along with the letter “C.” The left side of the barrel has the highly desirable “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” in an acid etched panel. In 1889, this highly desirable acid etched panel was replaced with a roll stamped marking. The barrel has the correct “44” caliber designation stamped in small font on the underside. The top of the barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CF.” Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame,
trigger guard, back strap, replacement cylinder (professionally renumbered to match), and barrel.
CONDITION: Very good, displaying a well traveled appearance with 20% original blue finish remaining in and around the sheltered areas. The etched panel is legible. The grips are good and show similar “working gun” character with a repair on the left side. Action functions, although needs work as hammer has only three clicks.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 132
Very Attractive Tooled Mexican Loop Single Action Army Revolver Holster Rig with Cartridge/Money Belt - This very attractive Mexican loop style holster bears no maker’s marks but was very clearly made for a discerning customer. It has a large oval skirt and a single diamond shaped loop capturing the body. Both the skirt and the body bear extensive, well-executed tooling including patterned borders and small daisy stamps on the body and on the loop, which also has some small brass tack decoration along the edges. It is configured for a right handed shooter and will accommodate a Single Action Army revolver with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. It is paired with a similarly colored cartridge belt with one row of .44/.45 size cartridge loops and a nickeled buckle with billet marked “G/1375”. There is a money pocket located on the end near the buckle. The belt is 3 inches wide and measures approximately 39 1/2 inches long including the billet.
CONDITION: Very fine, the holster showing some mild wear, a few patches of light age related cracking, and a small hole near one of the daisy stamps. The belt is also very fine with some mild wear on the billet but otherwise minimal wear. The stitching on both items remains tight throughout. A unique Single Action Army holster rig with decorations that set it apart!
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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