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LOT 91
Highly Desirable, Outstanding Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Shipped Nickel Plated Black
Powder Colt Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter
- Serial no. 50947, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. This is a much sought
after, extremely high condition example of an acid etched panel black powder, documented factory nickel
plated Colt Single Action Army revolver in 44-40 WCF that is well deserving of the finest collection. 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 another legendary Western icon, the
Winchester Model 1873 Rifle, which used the same cartridge. “The .44-40 WCF was added to the list of Colt
calibers for use with the popular Winchester rifle of the same caliber,” wrote Colt author David Brown. “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.”
This high condition example was manufactured in 1879, and the factory letter confirms the caliber and
nickel plated finish (barrel length and grips not listed but noted as standard issue of 7 ½ inches and
walnut respectively) and that it was in a shipment of five guns of this type shipped on March 29, 1879,
to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, New Haven, Connecticut. The left side of the barrel has the
acid etched “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” panel. This highly desirable etched barrel panel was officially
replaced by the Colt factory in the 135,000 serial number range with the much easier to produce and
larger roll-stamping. Rarely is the etched panel encountered in such pristine condition as featured on
this example. It is equipped with standard blade front and frame notch rear sights. The top of the barrel
has the stamped one-line Hartford address, the left side of the frame has the stamped three-line patent
dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CF.” The underside of the barrel has
the correct small “44” marking. A small “S” is stamped on the rear cylinder face. The ejector housing is the
second type as it has been factory altered from the original first type, and the ejector rod has a bullseye
head. The matching full or partial serial number is marked on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, barrel,
and cylinder. The loading gate is marked with the assembly number “340.” The revolver is fitted with a
walnut grip.
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