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LOT 3123
Cased Antique Colt London Model 1878 Double Action Revolver in .455 Eley - Serial no. 8379, 455 eley cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1882. The barrel has the scarce “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON” address and is chambered in .455 Eley. The trigger guard is marked “455 CAL/E.” Only 1,147 Model 1878s were manufactured in .455 Eley with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish per Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver” (pg. 359). London proofs are stamped on the underside of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. The cylinder is numbered to the gun. The period case has a Colt London paper label on the interior of the lid and contains an empty cartridge block, “L” shaped screwdriver, James Dixon & Sons oiler, combination tool, case key, and cleaning rod
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% bright original high polish blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance and a scuff on the top strap. The grips are excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with minor handling/storage marks, some typical high spot wear on the lining and a clear paper label.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3124
Cased First Year Production Colt London Model 1878 Double Action Revolver in .450 Boxer - Serial no. 1141, 450 Boxer
cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1878,
LOT 3125
Documented Colt London Agency Shipped
Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action
Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 43530, 45 Boxer cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. The included factory letter
indicates this revolver was one of 105 in a shipment on July
19, 1880, to Colt’s London Agency in .45 caliber with a 5 1/2
inch barrel and blue finish. The left side of the trigger guard at the rear
is marked “45 CAL/B” for “.450 Boxer.” In “The Official Record of the Colt
Single Action Army Revolver 1872-1895” on page 46 the authors write,
“An interesting fact became evident when comparing listings in the
Colt ledgers with copies of the actual invoices found in the Connecticut
State Library. The designation ‘Eley’ or ‘Boxer’ was used interchangeably.
Revolvers listed in .45 Eley in the record ledger may be listed on the shipping invoice as .45 Boxer and vice versa.”They list 3,385 Colt Single Action Army revolvers in .45 Eley Short (.45 Boxer) falling in the 1-164100 serial number range. The 5 1/2 inch barrel length was first introduced in 1874 for the London Agency. The barrel has “COLT’ PT.F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON” on top and a blade front sight. The ejector has the early “donut” button. London proofs appear on the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. The frame has the early three-line patent marking on the left. Matching serial numbers are marked on the barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Assembly number “3228” is marked on the loading gate. CONDITION: Very good plus with 30% original blue finish, 25% original case colors, gray and brown patina on the balance, distinct markings, and general mild overall wear. The grip is very fine and has mild lower edge wear and some light scratches and dings but otherwise retains the vast majority of the glossy original varnish. Mechanically functions but is missing the full cock notch in hammer. A solid Colt Single Action Army that shipped “across the pond” to Colt’s London Agency in the 1880s.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3126
Fine Colt
Bisley Single
Action Army Revolver
in .41 Long Colt - Serial
no. 319659, 41 Long
Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1911 with standard markings and matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and both grip panels, and assembly number “29” on the loading gate
the first year of production. The barrel
has the scarce “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG Co
HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL
LONDON” address and is chambered in
.450 Boxer. The trigger guard is marked
“45 CAL/B.” Only 1,653 Model 1878s
were manufactured in .450 Boxer with
a 5 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish per
Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double-Action
Revolver” (pg. 354). London proofs are
stamped on the underside of the barrel and
behind each cylinder flute. The cylinder
and both grip panels are numbered to the
gun (right grip panel number faint). The
partitioned case features a Colt London
paper label on the interior of the lid and
contains an added cartridge block holding
28 rounds of .450 caliber, cleaning rod, oiler, case key, and tool.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% plus bright original high polish blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance mainly on the barrel. The grips are excellent with a few minor handling marks and crisp checkering. The hammer fails to catch at full cock when operated in single action mode, but in double action operation the revolver functions fine. The case is very good with minor handling/storage marks and typical high spot wear on the lining.
and back of the frame. Among First Generation Single Action Army revolvers, only 16,402 left the factory chambered for .41 Long Colt compared to 150,683 in .45 Colt, making it a comparably rare and desirable variation.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retaining 70% original blue finish, the cylinder retains 60% original blue finish, and the grip straps 40% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. 30% original case colors remain on the hammer and frame. The grips are very fine with limited handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
96 Estimate: 4,000 - 7,000