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LOT 1148
Fine Documented Abercrombie & Fitch
Shipped Colt First Generation Single
Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 336391, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured in 1917, this revolver is documented as
shipped to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. of New York, one of the
elite sporting good outfitters at the turn of the century, with
clientèle including sportsman and president Teddy Roosevelt,
arctic explorer Richard Byrd, and sportsman and author
Ernest Hemingway. Many guns from this famous retailer
found their way farther west into the American Frontier
or on other adventures around the world. The included
factory letter confirms the current configuration, the grips
not listed, as well as being part of a five gun shipment to
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in New York on 22 June 1917.
It has the standard markings including matching serial
numbers on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and rear face of the cylinder
(“391”), as well as “378” assembly number inside the loading gate. It has blade and groove sights
and is fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish and 30% of the original case colors, mostly
in sheltered areas, with the balance having mostly thinned to a smooth grey patina in the form of
mild handling and holster wear. There are multiple concentric drag lines visible on the cylinder.
The oversize replacement grips are very good with some mild handling wear, a few light handling
marks, and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1147
Colt First Generation Single Action
Army Revolver in Scarce .38 Long Colt
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 282519,
38 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured
in 1906, the included factory letter confirms the
configuration, with the grips not listed, as well as sale to
H.S. Bassett and shipment to Norvell Shapleigh Hardware Co.
in St. Louis on 28 August 1906 as a single gun shipment. The
top of the barrel has the standard two-line address, while the
left is marked “38 COLT.” The left side of the frame is marked
with the standard two-line patent dates followed by
the circled Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger
guard has the Colt verified proof and “T”. The matching
serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame,
trigger guard, and back strap. The inside of the
loading gate is assembly numbered 1365 It is fitted
with a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair
of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at
the top. The trigger is a modern replacement.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% of the original blue finish and 30% of the original case colors with
the balance mostly having thinned to a mixture of grey and brown patina and a few scattered very
small patches of light pitting/oxidation. The oversize replacement grips are fine with some mild
wear and a few scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1150
Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no.
343779, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1922, these Single Action
Army revolvers remained extremely popular well into the 20th century in the
American west among ranchers and cowboys, who valued the trusted revolvers
rugged dependability and firepower. The standard one-line address is marked on
top of the barrel and the caliber marking is on the left. The left of the frame is marked
with the standard two-line patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is
marked on the frame and the right side of both the trigger guard and back strap, as well has hand marked
inside both grips. The assembly number “400” is marked inside the loading gate. It is fitted with blade and
groove sights and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue finish and 30% of the vibrant original case colors
with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a series of hammering type dings on the butt, which
someone has cleaned to bare metal in areas. The grips are very good with a reglued crack visible and a minor chip absent from
the butt of the right panel and a few scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The revolver has the look of a
well-cared for working gun that may have spent many years holstered on the hip of a western rancher or cowboy!
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1151
First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no.
327031, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard
rubber grips. Manufactured in 1913. The barrel has the one-line Hartford
address on top and the caliber designation on the left side, and the frame
has the two-line patent marking with the Rampant Colt on the left side. Matching
numbers are on the frame and grip straps. The un-numbered grips are hand marked
“HB FOX” on the back.
CONDITION: Very good. The revolver retains 30% original blue finish with the balance a
mixture of smooth brown and gray patinas. Both sides of the trigger guard are hand-marked with a single
letter. The hammer and frame retain traces of original case colors in the protected areas. The replacement
grips are also very good showing some minor handling marks (mostly on the bottoms) and a few
blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The 50 year Collection of Johnny Walker Birmingham Pistol Wholesale.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1149
Antique Colt Frontier
Six Shooter Single
Action Army Revolver - Serial
no. 165865, 44-40 WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, hard rubber grips. Following their introduction to the Colt line in
1877, these Frontier Six Shooters became part of the legendary duo of
the American West. Due to their .44-40 W.C.F. chambering, these revolvers could
be easily paired with a Winchester Model 1873, allowing their user to be capable
at most ranges and in any situation, while only carrying one type of ammunition.
This example was manufactured in 1896, when many parts of the Western Frontier
remained very much wild. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard single-line address with “COLT
FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” on the left. The two-line patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt are
marked on the left of the frame. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger
guard, and back strap, and the assembly number “496” is marked inside the loading gate. It is fitted with
a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair of later production replacement, checkered hard rubber
grips with American eagles at the bottom and Rampant Colts at the top.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 40% of the original blue finish and 20% of the original case colors with the balance mostly
a smooth grey patina speckled with brown in places, typical of a frontier sidearm. The replacement grips are slightly undersized
with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 5,500