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LOT 192
Exceptional Three-Digit Serial Number 284 Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 284, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN COLT PISTOLS BY WILSON
bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. This revolver is one of approximately only 7,000 manufactured circa 1872-1873 and was part of shipment
of 50 of these revolvers in .44 rimfire with 7 1/2 inch barrels and blue finish sent to J.P. Moore’s Sons in New York City on August 3, 1872. The
Model 1871-1872 Open Top was a direct predecessor of the hugely successful Colt Single Action Army Revolver, and these were some of the
first Colt cartridge revolvers available in the West. The top of the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-”. The left side
of the frame is marked the early “COLTS/PATENT” marking, and the cylinder is roll engraved with the Naval Battle of Campeche scene and “COLTS PATENT No. 298”. The loading gate is marked “217.” The matching serial number “284” is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very fine with 80% plus of the period retailer nickel plated finish remaining, flaking mainly along the grip straps, and generally minor overall wear including scattered marks and scratches. The grip is fine and has moderate lower edge wear, dings and scratches, and handling wear. Mechanically excellent.
This is an exceptional early production example of the famous Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top revolver. Many of these revolvers saw serious use in the West making examples in high condition desirable.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 193
Scarce Factory Engraved Colt Pocket Navy 4 1/2 Inch Octagon Barrel Cartridge Conversion
Revolver as Pictured in “Colt Pistols: 1836-1976” by R.L Wilson - Serial no. 9684, 38 RF cal., 4
1/2 inch octagon bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Originally manufactured as a percussion “Pocket Model
of Navy Caliber” revolver, this example was one of approximately 2,000 factory converted from existing percussion parts
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 starburst motifs on the back strap, and wolf head on the rimfire hammer. The small “IE” used by Colt
to designate ivory grips and engraving is stamped above or 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” hand engraved on the left of the frame, “36 CAL” on the left of the trigger guard, and “COLTS PATENT/No. 9684” on the cylinder along with the stagecoach holdup scene. It is fitted with a smooth antique ivory grip. This revolver is pictured and described on p. 140 of “Colt Pistols: 1836-1976” by R.L. Wilson CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the nickel finish and 60% of the silver plating on the trigger guard and back strap with the balance mostly an attractively aged brass and mostly crisp engraving overall. The slightly shrunken grip is fine with some scattered hairline age cracks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The R.E. Hable Collection; The Fred Sweeney Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 9,500
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