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LOT 1056
Early Production Two-Digit Serial Number 94 Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle -
Serial no. 94, 44-40 WCF cal., 25 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Colt Burgess rifles and carbines were only available from 1883 to
around 1885, and only 6,403 were manufactured. They were designed by Andrew Burgess who held 894 patents by the end of his life. It has long been
rumored that Colt and Winchester came to an agreement that Colt would exit the lever action market and Winchester would not release a revolver.
There seems to be little other reason for Colt to have discontinued these fine repeating arms so quickly after they introduced them. The Burgess is arguably
more advanced and refined than the Winchester Model 1873. This example has standard markings and is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas with the balance mostly a smooth brown or grey patina, typical of lever guns that spent their life on the frontier. The lightly sanded and revarnished wood is also very good with the scattered minor dings and scratches, a few hairline cracks, and a few discreet repairs that are associated with a western gun that was cared for, but not coddled. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1057
Very Fine Antique Colt Medium Frame Lightning Slide
Action Rifle - Serial no. 28920, 38 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1888, with standard markings including the
Rampant Colt on the left of the receiver. It is fitted with German silver blade front and elevation adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sights. It is mounted with a checkered slide handle and a smooth straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
SERIAL NUMBER 94
New York Engraved Silver Plated
Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved
Steer Head Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 324636, 44-40 cal.,
7 1/2 inch round bbl., silver finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1912, this early 20th century Colt Single Action Army Revolver features
desirable and attractive New York attributed engraving consisting mostly of floral scrollwork on a punch dot background along with zig-
zag line and dot motifs and fan patterns. The engraving covers 75% of the steel canvas. The barrel and cylinder are replacements, and the
barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .44-40” stamped on the left side. The two-line patent
date marking is inside a banner followed by an encircled Rampant Colt on the left side of the frame. Matching full serial number appears on
the frame and trigger guard. Back strap lacks a serial number. The rear cylinder face has been stamped with the frame serial number. The Colt medallion pearl grips feature a fantastic relief carved steer head with red stone inlays for the eyes on the right panel. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .32-20 caliber, silver plating, and pearl grips when shipped to Schoverling, Daly & Gales of New York City on November 8, 1912. The evenly worn condition certainly gives the appearance of seeing a lifetime of service as a trusty sidearm. The silver plating, engraving, and pearl grips radiate early 20th century wealth while the carved steer head made for a must have personal touch for any affluent cattle rancher looking for a status symbol carried at the hip.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 30% of the period retailer applied silver plating in and around the protected areas, otherwise displaying the attractive smooth gray patina of a well-traveled revolver. The engraving
remains crisp overall. The pearl grips are excellent with distinct carving
and highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically functions, but needs
work. An overall attractive engraved first generation SAA revolver with
attractive steer head carved pearl grips.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth brown patina in scattered patches of dark oxidation. The wood is excellent with some scattered minor handling marks and crisp checkering on the slide handle. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1058
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