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period grips are high quality, and likely introduced to
the revolver by Simmons Hardware Co. where it was originally shipped to. The loading gate has the assembly number “5327.” The matching serial number along with the aforementioned letter “S” appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 80% original nickel plating. The acid etched panel is legible. The engraving is crisp. The grips are excellent with a filled repair at the toe (left panel) and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. A great piece of late 19th century Colt artistry that has a story to tell!
Provenance: The TTT Collection.
Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000
No mention is made in the records regarding this mark.”
Further details of the factory return are presented in “The
Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver,
1873-1895”: “Simmons Hardware was shipped a large order
in February [1887] which included 17 engraved Frontier
revolvers with 5 1/2” barrel. It is not known if Simmons
changed their order or if a mistake was made at the factory,
but all 17 engraved revolvers were subsequently returned to the
factory and the barrels changed to 4 3⁄4”. Serial numbers of these revolvers were
all in the 86000 to 90000 range” (page 169). It has been hypothesized that Simmons Hardware Co. marked the revolver with the letter “S” to indicate ownership and that these seventeen guns, which included this example, were originally store display samples that were eventually sold to the public with a 4 3⁄4 inch barrel because the shorter barrel length was a better seller.
The revolver is decorated in classic scrollwork on punch dot background. The beautiful coverage displays scroll patterns along with fan patterns on the recoil
shield, loading gate, and top of the back strap, zig-zag line geometric patterns on the ejector rod housing, top strap, cylinder, backstrap, butt, and trigger guard bow. The top of the barrel has the two-
line Hartford address on top and the highly desirable “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” acid etched panel
surrounded by engraved scrollwork. The underside of the barrel has the correct caliber designation “44” stamping in small font. The left side of the frame has
the three-line patent dates marking. The revolver wears a set of pearl grips featuring a wonderful deep relief carved Mexican eagle on the right panel. The