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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER BY GRAHAM, KOPEC & MOORE
LOT 240
Fine Documented Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver in Very Scarce .44 Russian with Factory Letter - Serial no. 311420, 44 Russian cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured
in 1909 and chambered in the rare and desirable .44 Russian cartridge. Only an estimated 154 standard frame Single Action Army revolvers were manufactured for the .44 Russian cartridge upon which the .44 Special was based (see David Brown’s
Collector’s Fact
According to "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver" by Brown, only 154 standard frame Colt Single Actions were produced in .44 Russian.
“The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver,” page 112). Brown explained the rarity of the .44 Russian Single Action Army as, “The .44 Russian cartridge had become popular in several competitive revolvers, so Colt made it also in the Single Action. They were not mass produced, were made on
special orders only, so this caliber also is considered rare.” The included 1970 dated
factory letter signed by R.H. Wagner confirms the rare caliber and current configuration, grips
not listed, and shipment to Supplee Hardware Co. in Philadelphia on 27 January 1910, as the lone
gun in the shipment. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard one-line address while the left side has the rare caliber marking “44 RUSSIAN CTG.” The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt, and the left of the trigger guard is marked with the “VP” proof and “W”. It is
fitted with standard blade front and groove rear sights, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. The revolver was formerly of the famous Mel Guy collection and is pictured and identified in “A Study of the Colt Single Acton Army Revolver” on page 155.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the original blue finish and 50% of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few patches of scattered light pitting. There is a light ding in the right side of the front sight blade. The grips are also fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Mel Guy Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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LOT 241
Exceptional Colt Bisley Model Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 321448, 44-40 cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1912 and has the
standard fixed sights. The one-line Hartford address is roll stamped on top of the barrel and “(BISLEY MODEL)/COLT
FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” is roll engraved on left side. The frame has the two line, three date patent marking followed by the
circled Rampant Colt on the left side. There is a “7” stamped above the firing pin hole and the assembly number “458” stamped on the loading
gate and the rear of the frame. The upper left front of the trigger guard is marked with the Colt triangle “VP” proof and the rear with a “W”. The
matching serial number is stamped on the frame, trigger guard and butt. The grips are numbered internally “1448”. The frame and hammer are
casehardened with blue on the remaining parts. The hammer has the wide, low spur and the trigger is smooth and wide, has the characteristic
“humpback” grip, and is fitted with checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt in an oval at the top.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, with 95% of the high polish bright original blue finish remains with some thinning and light scratches on the forward left side of the
barrel, cylinder and back strap. The outer edge of the ejector housing has thinned slightly. The frame retains 80% plus bright original case colors with some minor dulling on the loading gate and high area of the recoil shield. The top strap has a smooth gray patina and dull case colors. The grips are extremely fine having faded to a dark brown with light handling marks and sharp checkering. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. This is a highly attractive Colt Bisley Model Frontier Six Shooter.
Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection.
Estimate: 8,000 - 11,000