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LOT 3127
New York Engraved Antique Black Power Colt Single Action Army Revolver Converted from .44 Rimfire with Factory Letter - Serial no. 853, 44 CF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. The included factory letter lists this revolver in .44 Rimfire with a 7 1/2 inch barrel,
blue finish, and wood grips when part of a 50 gun shipment to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham in New York City on November 30, 1877. This revolver is one of only 1,863
Colt chambered in .44 Rimfire, and surviving examples are very scarce. This revolver is especially interesting as it was subsequently period shortened to a 5 1/2 inch barrel, engraved, fitted with
a deluxe grip, and converted to centerfire. The engraving may have been engraved by legendary New York based master engraver L.D. Nimschke and is primarily classic American scrollwork with beaded backgrounds
and also includes checkerboard and dot patterns, “Nimschke stars”, and line and dot accents. The barrel has a
blade front sight and the one-line “-COLTS PT. F.A. MFG. Co HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.-” address. The frame has the two-line 1871 and 1872 patent marking on the left, and the left side of the trigger guard at the rear has “44
CAL” in an oval panel. The loading gate has assembly number “450”, and the matching serial number “853” is visible on the frame, trigger guard, and butt. CONDITION: Very good as period retailer engraved with 50% nickel plating remaining, smooth dark gray and brown patina on the balance, distinct engraving and markings, a replacement custom engraved cylinder converted to centerfire, and general moderate overall wear suggesting real period use. The grip is also very good and has attractive aged patina, numerous small age lines, and minor wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 3129
Desirable Browning Bros.,
Ogden, Utah “Bull’s Head
Mexican Loop” Holster with Cartridge Belt for a Colt
Single Action Army Revolver
- Manufactured in the late 1800s
to early 1900s, this is a desirable example of a “Bull’s Head Mexican Loop” holster from the famous Ogden, Utah, shop of John Moses and Matthew Sandefur Browning. The Browning Brothers, particularly John
LOT 3128
Documented
Factory Engraved Antique Colt Sheriff’s
Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 16205, 38 Long Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, original grips. Factory engraved Colt Model 1877 Lightning
revolvers are a rarity. According to Colt historian R.L. Wilson, “factory records
indicate approximately 250 Lightnings in .38 caliber [were engraved]” and “their
usual finish was nickel plating.”The included factory letter confirms the 3 1/2
inch barrel in .38 caliber, nickel finish, engraving, and grip material and states the
revolver was shipped on August 18, 1879, to famed B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati,
Ohio. This was a six gun shipment. The engraving consists of floral scroll
work on a stippled background along with flourishes of various motifs such
as entwining lines and cross hatching. The barrel has the two-line Hartford
address on top and the highly desirable acid etched “COLT DA 38” panel on
the left side. The left side of the frame has the patent date marking (very faint).
“38 CAL” is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original nickel plating with a smooth gray
patina on the balance. The etched panel is faint. The engraving is crisp. The
slightly age shrunken period replacement grips are also fine some handling marks and attractive grain and color. Mechanically excellent. A rarity in Colt collecting, this factory engraved Sheriff’s Model 1877 Lightning revolver will be a welcome addition to even the most advanced collections.
122 Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
Moses, were made famous by their various legendary firearms designs including multiple Winchester lever actions and Colt automatics. This holster shows the clear Browning Brothers cartouche and the popular bull’s head design on the large retention loop, a design which began gaining popularity in the 1890s. The loop, body, and apron of the holster have some period-added brass tacks, a popular form of extra decoration during the period of use. The toe also appears to show period modification with part of the seam being opened, possibly for drainage. The holster will accommodate a
4 3/4 inch barreled Colt Single Action Army. Includes
an unmarked cartridge belt that has a single row of cartridge loops for .44 or .45 caliber cartridges and a nickeled buckle. The belt is 1 5/8 inches wide and approximately 40 1/4 inches long.
CONDITION: Good, the holster showing some moderate wear and interesting period modifications (see above). The belt is also fine with moderate wear, some scattered scuffing, and age-related cracking. A desirable Browning Bros. holster rig that has the look of having spent time on the Frontier!
Estimate: 1,200 - 1,800