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LOT 3117
Scarce and Desirable Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver Marked C. R. Nagle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 1601, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Highly prized by collectors for its limited production and significance as the first Colt revolver manufactured specifically for a metallic cartridge, the Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver is the transition model between
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the Colt cartridge conversions and solid frame Single Action Army revolver. 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 of which 7,000 were manufactured between 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 1871-72 one of the most difficult Colt revolvers to find in any condition. The included factory letter confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in .44 rimfire, blue finish with iron back strap, and wood stocks as well as being part of a 50 gun shipment on August 28, 1873 to J.P. Moores Sons, New York City. “-ADDRESS COL. SAMl COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” marked on top of the barrel. The left side of the frame is marked with the “COLT’S/PATENT” marking and the cylinder is roll engraved with the Texas naval scene and “COLTS PATENT No. 601”. The matching serial number “1601” is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The loading gate is numbered “680”. Blade front sight and notch rear sight on the breech end of the barrel. Fitted with a one-piece varnished walnut grip. The name “*C.R. NAGLE*” is stamped on the right of the breech end of the barrel. Although not a positive identification, a few 1882 dated newspaper articles have been located referring to a C .R. Nagle, traveling auditor of the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad, as well as an 1887 dated newspaper article that mentions him becoming the new master of trains for the East Tennessee Railroad. CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 30% original blue finish mostly in protected areas with smooth gray patina and mottled light brown patina on the balance, an equal amount of original case colors at the edges and in protected areas, and mostly clear markings in the metal overall with light fading on the end of the barrel address. Grip is fine with most of the original varnish, scattered scratches and dings, a chip on the bottom left, and some crazing at the bottom edges. Mechanically fine. One will look a long time to find a more solid representative example of a Colt Open Top .44 revolver! Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
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LOT 3118
Colt Model 1860 Army Richards Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 196244, 44 Colt CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. This is one of approximately 9,000 Richards conversion Model 1860 Army revolvers manufactured between 1871-1878 based on designs by Charles B. Richards; Richards was also one of the designers of the Colt Single Action Army, and some of these revolvers were manufactured alongside the Single Action Army and are believed to have seen significant use in the Old West. The revolver has a nickel finish and is fitted with a one-piece walnut grip. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “-ADDRESS COL. SAMl COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” in one line. “COLTS/PATENT” marked on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and “COLTS PATENT No 6244”. The matching full serial number “196244” marked on the bottom of the barrel lug and frame, “191597” marked on the trigger guard, and “198/844” marked on the butt. “6876” marked on the loading gate. CONDITION: Fine as assembled (see above) with 85% plus frosted period retailer applied nickel plating, some light flaking, and a few small patches of light pitting. The barrel markings are faint with all other markings crisp including the cylinder scene. Grip is very good with scattered crazing of the glossy finish and some scattered light handling marks and scratches. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3119
Exceptional Colt Model 1862 Police Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 8259, 38 RF cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1862 and one of approximately 6,500 later converted to cartridge configuration circa 1873-1875. The barrel has the standard two-line address and the two patent dates are marked on the left of the frame. Matching serial number “8259” marked on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, and butt. “2456” marked on the loading gate. Unnumbered cylinder. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus original nickel finish with a patch of flaking under the rear of the barrel, and clear markings in the metal overall. Grip is very fine with some scattered light scratches, a patch of mild gouges on the right panel, and some light crazing at the bottom edges. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3120
U.S. Navy Colt Richards-Mason Cartridge Conversion Model 1851 Navy Revolver - Serial no. 59721, 38 CF cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. The cartridge conversion Navy revolvers continued to be used by the U.S. Navy up until their replacement in the 1890s by the Colt Model 1889 double action revolver. This example, originally manufactured in 1856 and later converted to .38 centerfire, correctly falls into the serial number range of U.S. Colt Richards-Mason Model 1851 Revolvers as established by McDowell in “A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers” on page 232. The barrel is stamped with the New York address on the top flat and Commander Richard W. Meade inspection initials “R.W.M.” ollowed by a Navy anchor marked on the bottom flat. “U S N” is stamped on the butt. “PAT. JULY. 25, 1871./PAT. JULY. 2, 1872.” stamped on top of “COLTS/PATENT/US” on the left side of the frame. Matching serial number “59721” marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The number “990/072” and the standard Texas Navy battle scene marked on the cylinder. “98” marked on the loading gate. CONDITION: Very good, retains strong traces of factory refurbished blue finish concentrated in protected areas and underneath the barrel with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, some scattered patches of light pitting, and mostly clear markings in the metal. Grip is good with scattered dents, scratches and some chips/absent areas at the bottom edges. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500