Page 102 - 88-BOOK1

100
LOT 107
New York Engraved Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver in Highly Desirable .44 Henry Rimfire with Attractive Relief
Carved Mexican Eagle Grip - Serial no. 499, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Offered here is a highly sought after Colt Single
Action Army Revolver chambered for the .44 rimfire cartridge that is becoming increasingly difficult to find no matter the condition. Adding to its desirability is the period New York/Nimschke
engraving. The Colt Single Action Army Revolver is arguably the most iconic handgun of Americana. In the hands of ranchers, cavalrymen, Native Americans, lawmen and outlaws, the Peacemaker’s legacy was forged out in the hostile
American West and continues to gain popularity among today’s collectors. This SAA is one of only 1,863 Colts chambered in .44 rimfire, making it a highly prized collectible of legendary Colt heritage. Colt introduced its SAA .44 rimfire series in 1875. These revolvers were serial numbered in their own range from 1 to 1863 and were manufactured for approximately five years. Colt sold most of the .44 RF production to South and Central America due to a limited acceptance on the American market where they saw hard and abusive use. Moreover, the 7 1/2 inch barrel was not well received, and most specimens that
have found their way back to the United States generally have a shortened barrel. From about 1888 to 1890 the Colt factory converted 107 of the .44 rimfire revolvers to .22 rimfire. Finding a SAA in original 7 1/2 inch barrel, .44 RF configuration in any
condition is rarely encountered. The revolver features beautiful period New York floral scroll engraving on a punch dot background accented with cross hatching, star burst, double line and fan motifs. The elaborate engraving pattern on this Colt Single Action Army
revolver strongly resembles the style and quality of the “New York” engraving executed by the 19th century’s best known Master Engraver Louis D. Nimschke for Hartley & Graham and other New York City Colt retailers. One final adornment is the period one piece grip which features a relief carved Mexican Eagle on the right side. The revolver has the original and distinctive hammer with rimfire firing pin secured by two pins and a rectangular hammer slot in the frame. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top, the frame has the two-line patent dates marking on the left side, and the trigger guard has “44 CAL” stamped on the left side. The ejector rod has a bullseye head. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Good showing all the character of a trusty sidearm used during the period with all the honest hallmarks of a working gun that most likely spent a lifetime at the Texas-Mexico border, proving that not all art resides behind glass. The engraving is crisp overall. The trigger guard and
back strap have been renumbered to match frame. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000