Page 126 - 4095-BOOK1

124
LOT 121
Very Scarce Documented Nickel Plated Antique Colt
“Fluted” Frame Sheriff’s Model Frontier Six Shooter
Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 105734, 44-40 WCF cal., 4 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory letter
states this revolver was shipped on December 13, 1883,
to Hartley & Graham of New York City, in .44-40 caliber, with a 4 inch barrel, nickel finish, and hard rubber
stocks. This was a 2 gun shipment. Offered here is a very scarce example of a Colt Single Action Army Frontier
Six-Shooter revolver in highly sought after “Sheriff’s Model” configuration with factory documented nickel plated
finish and 4 inch barrel, and has the early production “fluted” frame, which differs from standard frame revolvers that
have provisions for fitment of an ejector rod. Colt only manufactured 38 non-engraved Sheriff’s Models with a 4 inch
barrel in .44-40 WCF and nickel finish in the 1-164100 serial number range, per figures listed on page 338 of “The Official
Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895” by Wilkerson and Hoyt. The authors stressed the rarity of the
ejectorless Single Action Army as a whole (barrel lengths ranged from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches in the study) and state that “just
under 600 ejectorless Single Action Army revolvers were produced in all calibers from 1882 to the 1930s.” The ejectorless Colt “Sheriff’s
Model” Single Action Army revolver is one of the rarest and most sought after variations of the legendary Peacemaker. Whether on the hip
of a lawman, carried by an outlaw or under the counter of a storekeeper’s shop, the “Sheriff’s Model” Colt Single Action Army was at the front
lines of the American frontier. This example has all the appearance
of serving as a trustworthy sidearm. It correctly lacks an ejector rod.
The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top. The underside of
the barrel carries “44” in small font for the caliber designation. The left
side of the frame has the three-line, three-date marking. The left side
of the trigger guard is marked “44 CF.” Matching visible serial numbers
on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with assembly number
“9269” on the loading gate.
CONDITION: Very good with plenty of frontier character associated
with a well traveled sidearm, retains 40% original nickel plated finish
with mostly smooth brown patina on the balance, antiqued brown
and gray patina on the pitted restored barrel, and some light pitting.
Grips are also very good with moderate general western wear.
Mechanically functions. This is a very scarce and highly sought after
example of a Colt “fluted” frame Frontier Six Shooter
Sheriff’s Model Single Action Army revolver
showing authentic western patina!
Provenance: The Vick Deer Collection;
The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 122
Rare and Historic “Frontier Issued” W. Musgrave, Montrose Colorado Holster and A.J. Battle,
Indian Territory Cartridge Belt - Manufactured c. the 1880s to 1890s, this is a very interesting holster rig
composed of a Colorado-made holster and Indian Territory-made cartridge belt, which certainly have the
look of having been worn together on the frontier. The holster is marked for Walter Musgrave, who appears
to have been operating as a saddle/harness maker in Montrose, Colorado at least by 1890, as illustrated by
period Colorado newspapers. The cartridge belt is marked by A.J. Battle of Roff, Indian Territory (Oklahoma),
who is also listed in period newspapers as a saddler/harness maker by at least 1890. The holster is of the
“Mexican loop” pattern with two thin retention loops, is configured for a right handed shooter, and will
accommodate a 4 3/4 inch barreled Single Action Army revolver. The maker’s mark is at the center of the
body in an oval with floral tooling around it and a thin roped border around the body. The faint maker’s
mark on the belt is near the billet with the buckle and it has a single row of .44/.45 caliber cartridge loops
and a simple iron buckle. The belt is 2 3/8 inches wide and approximately 40 1/4 inches long including the
billet. This holster rig certainly has the look of having spent many years on the frontier, possibly on the hip
of a cowboy moving cattle through Colorado and Indian Territory.
CONDITION: The holster and belt are both good, showing the wear and weathering of years of frontier use,
some age-related cracking, some moderate scuffs, and a few areas of loose/absent stitching, typical of a
rig spending time in the harsh environment of the American West. A very historic Colt Single Action Army
holster rig that is linked to both Colorado and Indian Territory!
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
Collector’s Fact
According to "The Official Record of the Colt Single
Action Army Revolver, 1873-1895" by Wilkerson
and Hoyt, Colt only manufactured 38 non-engraved
Sheriff's Models with a 4 inch barrel in .44-40 WCF
and nickel finish in the 1-164100 serial number range.