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LOT 3030
Identified Antique Colt Black Powder Frame Single Action Army Revolver with Carved Steer Head Grips - Serial no. 156519, 45 LC cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1894, with the desirable “black powder” frame. The standard two-line address is marked on top of the barrel and “45 COLT” is on the left. The two-line patent date
marking is on the left of the frame followed by the Rampant Colt. The
matching serial number is on the frame, trigger
guard, and back strap, and the loading gate is numbered “1209”. There is a factory rework number, “470”,
stamped below on the arm which corresponds to two places stamped on the left side of the grip straps under the left grip panel. It has the standard blade
front and frame top groove sights, and is fitted with a pair of antique ivory grips, the right panel having a relief carved steer head, with “W.O. GILMER” marked in ink underneath (no information on the aforementioned individual was available at this
time). The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis on 5 September 1894. The combination of being shipped to Simmons Hardware, a major distributor of guns
heading to the American west, and the carved steer head grip, make it very likely this Single Action Army made its way to the western frontier, possibly into the hands of a cowboy or wealthy cattle rancher.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% plus of the period factory replated nickel finish with a few scattered patches of minor flaking, most noticeably at the muzzle and on the front strap. The highly attractive grip is also very fine, showing an attractively aged tone and a few
scattered hairline age cracks. Mechanically excellent. A Single Action Army that certainly has the feel of a western frontier working gun! Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 3031
Exceptional Merwin, Hulbert
& Co./Hopkins & Allen Large
Frame Pocket Army Single Action
Revolver - Serial no. 454, 44 WCF cal., 3
1/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured from 1876 to the 1880’s by Hopkins & Allen,
these revolvers show the superior quality and ingenuity that
Merwin, Hulbert & Co. revolvers have come to be known for.
The two-line Hopkins & Allen address and patent markings are on the
left side of the barrel and the left side of the frame is marked “CALIBRE/ WINCHESTER” and “1873”. The serial number is on the right side of the bird’s head grip, which has a hole for a lanyard ring. The left side of the grip frame under the grip is marked with the assembly number “405”, which is repeated on the barrel lug and rear cylinder face. It is fitted with blade and notch sights and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original nickel finish with some scattered light handling marks and a couple small spots of very light flaking. 75% of the original muted case colors remain on the hammer, 60% on the trigger guard. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
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LOT 3032 Remington Model 1875 Army Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 1122, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Approximately 25,000 Model 1875s were manufactured between 1875 and 1889. They were among the first and most widely used centerfire revolvers in the West and are particularly known for their use by the Indian Police. They were also known as the Improved Army or Frontier Army. The top of the barrel is marked “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A.” The front flat of the frame at the breech on the left side is stamped “44,” the caliber designation for .44 W.C.F. The revolver features a blade front sight, a frame notch rear sight, the standard web-contoured ejector rod housing, and a fluted cylinder. The serial number is marked on the left side of the grip frame, the loading gate arm, and the trigger guard. Instead of a lanyard loop, the butt has two non-factory empty holes. CONDITION: Fine as modified (see above). The frame and barrel retain 80%of the original nickel plating. The cylinder retains 40% of the original finish. The balance has smooth gray and brown patina. There are minor scratches and dings. The grips are very good and have mild handling wear, small marks and scratches, and light edge wear. Mechanically fine. Overall a very attractive and solid example of a popular frontier revolver. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750