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LOT 184
Outstanding Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 5125, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., nickel finish, checkered antique ivory grips. This highly attractive Colt Model 1871-1872 Open
Top revolver is one of approximately only 7,000 manufactured circa 1872-1873, at a time when settlers pouring
into the American West demanded powerful large caliber sidearms. Their heavy use on the western frontier and
limited production run has made the Model 1871-1872 one of the most difficult Colt revolvers to find in any
condition. High condition Model 1871-1872s, like this example, are very rarely encountered for public sale. The
Model 1871-1872 Open Top was a direct predecessor of the hugely successful Colt Single Action Army Revolver,
and these were some of the first Colt cartridge revolvers available in the West. These revolvers remained in use as
working guns well into the period of dominance of the Single Action Army.
The production of the Open Top was made possible after the American government refused Rollin White’s
request to extend his breech loading revolver patent in 1870. White’s patent was a drastic leap in the progression
of firearms development as it allowed for a bored through revolver cylinder to be loaded with cartridges at
the rear. Smith & Wesson held exclusive rights to the use of White’s patent, and for every S&W manufactured
revolver that used his bored through cylinder patent, White received a 25 cent royalty. White was responsible for
defending his patent in court against other manufacturers who infringed upon his breech loading design, and
his success in the courts paved the way for S&W to manufacture the first commercially successful revolver to use
rimfire cartridges, the Model 1, with near impunity from competitors. S&W followed up the Model 1 with a series
of tip-up revolvers that dominated the rimfire market. The expiration of White’s patent signaled the end to S&W’s
unyielding domination over the rimfire revolver market. Colt’s response was the Model 1871-72 revolver.
LOT 185
Exceptional Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 3439,
44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered antique ivory grips. This well above average
condition Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top revolver is one of approximately only 7,000 manufactured circa 1872-
1873, at a time when settlers pouring into the American West demanded powerful large caliber sidearms. Their
heavy use on the western frontier and limited production run has made the Model 1871-1872 one of the most
difficult Colt revolvers to find in any condition. The Model 1871-1872 Open Top was a direct predecessor of the
hugely successful Colt Single Action Army Revolver, and these were some of the first Colt cartridge revolvers
available in the West. These revolvers remained in use as working guns well into the period of dominance of the
Single Action Army. The production of the Open Top was made possible after the American government refused
Rollin White’s request to extend his breech loading revolver patent in 1870. Smith & Wesson held exclusive rights
to the use of White’s patent, and for every S&W manufactured revolver that used his bored through cylinder
patent, White received a 25 cent royalty. White was responsible for defending his patent in court against other
manufacturers who infringed upon his breech loading design, and his success in the courts paved the way for
S&W to manufacture the first commercially successful revolver to use rimfire cartridges, the Model 1, with near
impunity from competitors. S&W followed up the Model 1 with a series of tip-up revolvers that dominated the
rimfire market. The expiration of White’s patent signaled the end to S&W’s unyielding domination over the rimfire
revolver market. Colt’s response was the Model 1871-72 revolver.
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