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LOT 1169
Twelve Stop Richards
Conversion Colt Model 1860 Army
Revolver - Serial no. 1479, 44 Colt CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Total
production of Model 1860 Army Richards conversion revolvers is estimated at approximately 9,000 in 1871-1878,
and only a small number of the early production revolvers utilized 12-slot cylinders because the stops over the chambers proved to leave the walls too
thin as can be seen on this example. The revolver has matching serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder and “272” on the recoil shield and loading gate. The revolver has a German silver blade front
LOT 1167
Colt Richards-Mason Cartridge Conversion Model 1860 Army Revolver with Holster
Rig - Serial no. 6425, 44
Colt CF cal., 8 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, walnut
grips. Only around 2,100 of
these “conversions” were
manufactured around
1877-1878 using a mixture
of remaining Model 1860
Army parts and newly manufactured components. These revolvers were
manufactured alongside the Single Action Army and are believed to have
seen significant use in the Old West. The serial number is within the separate
conversion range and is marked, full and partial, on the barrel, frame, trigger
guard, back strap, and cylinder. The barrel has a German silver blade front
sight, ejector mounted on the right, and “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD,
CT. U.S.A.” on top. The cylinder has the standard naval battle scene. The frame has
1871 and 1872 patent markings on the left, “44 CAL” marked on the left of the trigger
guard and assembly number “954” marked on the loading gate. With a leather holster rig. The front of the holster has a tooled monogram.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original nickel plating with the balance a classic smooth dark brown patina associated with a lifetime of authentic service. Most of the cylinder scene remains. The grips are also fine and show similar working gun character with high edge wear from spending time in the hand. Mechanically excellent. The holster rig is good. A true survivor of the post-Civil War era.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,000
LOT 1168
Rare 50-Count Box
of U.S. Cartridge Co.
Colt Model Army
Conversion Revolver
.44 Centerfire
Metallic Cartridges
- Offered here is a rare
full 50-count box of
U.S. Cartridge Co. .44
centerfire cartridges for
the Colt Model Army
conversion revolvers
manufactured in the
1870s and used a mixture
of remaining Model 1860 Army parts and newly manufactured
components. These revolvers were manufactured alongside the
Single Action Army and are believed to have seen significant
use in the Old West. The box features an orange label with an
illustration of Colt’s metallic cartridge conversion revolver. All 50
rounds are included.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, with the opened seal displaying some typical loss along the break, a single split lid edge, and nearly all of the orange label remaining. A box of Colt Model Army conversion revolver cartridges missing from even the most advanced Colt collection.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
sight, the New York barrel address, an ejector fitted to the right side of the barrel, a notch rear sight on the recoil shield, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, and “44 CAL” on the rear of
the trigger guard on the left.
CONDITION: Good with traces of original finish and mostly a dark brown patina and moderate
wear suggesting real period use. The cylinder has been worn through on each of the stops over the chambers. The frame has a series of strike marks on the left side. There is some mild pitting
and oxidation. The wedge and wedge screw are replacements. The grip is fair and has heavy lower edge wear, chips at the heel and toe, heavy hammering marks on the butt, and moderate handling wear. The revolver is functional, but the action is out of time, and the
mainspring is weak.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1170
Scarce Factory
Engraved Colt Pocket Navy 4 1/2 Inch
Octagon Barrel Cartridge Conversion
Revolver with Famed Freund &
Brothers Retailer Marked E.L Gallatin
& Co. Tooled Leather Slim Jim Holster
- Serial no. 20159, 38 RF cal., 4 1/2 inch
octagon bbl., nickel/silver finish, antique
ivory grips. Originally manufactured as a
percussion “Pocket Model of Navy Caliber” revolver,
this example was one of approximately only 2,000
converted to the 4 1/2 inch octagon barrel
.38 rimfire configuration c. 1873-1875. These
revolvers had no ejector attached to the barrel
and had their loading lever cutouts filled. Adding to the rarity is the attractive factory engraving consisting of mostly floral scrollwork along with floral blossoms on the barrel lug, cross hatching and fan motifs on the back strap, line and dot patterns, and wolf head on the rimfire hammer. The small “E” used by Colt to designate special finish or engraving is stamped below the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap serial numbers. These serial numbers are matching. The cylinder is also numbered to the gun. The top barrel flat is marked “ADDRESS COL. SAML. COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left of the frame, “36 CAL” on the left of the trigger guard, and “COLTS PATENT/No. 159” on the cylinder along with the stagecoach holdup scene. The front sight is a period addition. With a rare floral and dog tooled leather holster by E. L. Gallatin & Co. of Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. The belt loop is marked “”GALLATIN & CO/MAKER.” The front of the holster has carries a brass retailer plaque indicating it was sold by the famed gunsmithing and outfitting firm of F.W. Freund & Brothers. Like many in the American firearms industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Freund brothers Frank W. and George were German immigrants. They had various temporary shop locations as they followed the Union Pacific westward and established more permanent shops in Denver, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they regularly modified firearms, particularly Sharps rifles, to fit their customer’s needs and designed new sights. This rare revolver of Colt factory artistry certainly has the appearance of spending time on the Western frontier. CONDITION: Fine as a high art firearm displaying an overall classic patina of a period “working man’s” trusty sidearm
with the barrel retaining 80% original nickel finish and the grip straps retaining 20% original silver plating and proving all art does not hang on a wall. The grips are very fine with some typical age lines and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. The rare holster is very good with a legible maker marking. A seldom encountered factory engraved Colt Pocket Navy 4 1/2 inch conversion revolver with equally rare Freund & Brothers retailer marked E.L. Gallatin & Co. holster.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
167
NOTICE THE DEPICTION OF A TWELVE STOP COLT RICHARDS CONVERSION REVOLVER