Page 105 - 4091-BOOK2

LOT 1122
Outstanding Documented Colt Sheriff’s Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 51172, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 inch round
bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. The Model 1878 revolver was intended by Colt to be a double action alternative to Colt’s legendary Single Action Army revolver, and an
improvement over their previous foray into the double action market with the Model 1877.
With 51,210 being produced, the Model 1878 was never nearly as popular as its single action cousin; however, there were still many that favored it in the West for its firepower, including Captain Jack Crawford,
who replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as “Chief of Scouts” shortly after the Battle of Little Bighorn. Offered here is
an ejectorless 4 inch barrel Model 1877 simply known as the Sheriff’s Model. Whether on the hip of a lawman
or under the counter of a storekeeper’s shop, these Sheriff’s model Colt DAs were at the forefront of taming the wilds in growing cities or the western frontier, as well as in the holsters of all
manner of ruffians and outlaws. Today these Sheriff’s Model 1878s hold a special place in the hearts of collectors, and this is an excellent example of the highly sought after short barrel, ejectorless model.
The accompanying factory letter confirms the 4 inch barrel in .45 caliber and blue finish with the type of stocks not listed. The letter states the revolver was shipped to Charles J. Godfrey Co. of New York City on August 19, 1905. This was a thirty-nine gun shipment. Based
on research conducted by Don Wilkerson, Colt only manufactured 290 blued Model 1878s with a 4 inch barrel in .45 LC. The 4 inch barrel
is stamped with the two-line Colt Hartford address on top and the caliber designation “45 COLT” stamped on the left side. The left side of the frame features a small encircled Rampant Colt mark just forward of the grip. The finely checkered hammer, smooth trigger, and small screw heads all have a bright niter blue finish. The revolver wears a set of checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt bird’s head grips. The cylinder is a surplus U.S. government component as it has sub-inspector Rinaldo A. Carr’s “RAC” initials on the rear face. The loading gate is marked with the assembly number “2.” The left grip panel is numbered to the gun (“172”).
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus bright original high polished blue finish with brown freckling, some light gray surface oxidation on the barrel, and some light high edge wear. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive example of Colt’s iconic Sheriff’s Model 1878 DA revolver.
Provenance: The TTT Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 1123
Desirable and Fine Black Powder Colt Acid Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter
Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 105528, 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. 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 1884. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top, the acid etched panel “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” on the left side, and the caliber designation (“44”) in small font on the underside. The left side of the frame has the number “107.23” partially stamped
over the three-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked “44CF.” British proofs appear on the barrel and cylinder. Consignor noted that the revolver will factory letter as shipped to Colt’s London Agency on December 10, 1888. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original blue finish and 40% original case colors with a mix of smooth brown and gray patinas on the balance.
The original acid etched panel is very fine and clear. The grip is very fine showing minor dings and scratches with most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of a very desirable antique Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with desirable acid etched panel.
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
103