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LOT 1131
Outstanding, One of the Finest Known, Antique Acid Etched Panel Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 108202, 44-40
WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The accompanying factory letter states this revolver was shipped on April 1, 1884, to J.P. Moores Sons in
New York City, in .44-40 caliber and blue finish, with barrel length and type of stocks not listed, a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut grip, which were standard
for the period. This shipment was for 5 guns. Rock Island Auction Company is honored to be able to offer this absolutely outstanding, one of the very finest known, antique
acid etched panel Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army revolver. The name “Frontier Six Shooter” was originated by J.P. Moores, who was one of Colt’s “allies” and largest
distributors, per author Don Wilkerson’s research in his book “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878” on page 260. The left side of the barrel has the highly desirable “COLT
FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” in an acid etched panel. The high condition of this revolver cannot be overstated, with the acid etched panel remaining extremely crisp, which is rarely
encountered in surviving examples of these revolvers due to the shallowness of the etching. Around 1890, this highly desirable acid etched panel was replaced in production with
a roll stamped marking. The other example that comes to mind when speaking of the finest known acid etched panel Colt Frontier Six Shooter revolvers is serial number 41421
(May 2023 Auction 88, Lot 1112, $176,250 price realized), which was one of the first shipped examples of a Frontier Six Shooter. That revolver has features differing very slightly
from this example, serial number 108202, notably in that it had early type seven groove rifling, whereas this example has six grooves, and the placement of the acid etched panel.
The .44-40 WCF Single Action Army has found a special place in the hearts of Peacemaker collectors. When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 WCF Single Action Army was intended
to be used in conjunction with the another legendary Wild West icon, the Winchester Model 1873 rifle, which used the same cartridge. These two firearms together make up the
pairing that most would point to when asked to define “the guns that won the West”. “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.” The barrel has the correct “44” caliber designation stamped in small font on the underside. The
top of the barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent date markings. “44.C.F.” stamped on the left side of the trigger
guard. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, butt, and cylinder, with assembly number “5873” on the loading gate.
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