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LOT 144
Iconic and Well Documented J.P. Lower & Sons of Denver Shipped Etched Panel Antique Black Powder Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 50657, 44 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The .44-40 WCF SAA has found a special place in the hearts of Peacemaker collectors. When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 WCF SAA was intended to be used injunction with the another legendary Western icon, the Winchester Model 1873 Rifle, which used the same cartridge. “The .44-40 WCF was added to the list of Colt calibers for use with the popular Winchester rifle of the same caliber,” wrote Colt author David Brown. “This combination of a rifle and a six shooter using the same cartridge made it possible for their user to buy only one kind of ammunition, and he could carry ‘fodder’ for both guns in the same cartridge belt.” The accompanying factory letter confirms the .44-40 caliber chambering and blue finish. The barrel length and type of stocks are not listed, a common indication of standard 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks, which this revolver exhibits. The
letter also states the revolver was shipped to legendary Western gun shop J.P. Lower & Sons of Denver, Colorado, on February 8, 1879. This shipment was for 6 guns. J.P. Lower is credited for setting up the first firearms retailer west of the Mississippi River. Some of the most famous gun slingers of the day such as Buffalo Bill Cody and Kit Carson purchased firearms from his Denver store. The popularity of his shop led Lower to proclaim that “he had probably armed every Colorado Territory lawman, badman, Indian and gambler.” The left side of the barrel has the highly desirable “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” in an acid etched panel. In 1889 this highly desirable acid etched panel was replaced with a roll stamped marking. The barrel has the correct “44” caliber designation stamped in small font on the underside. The top of the barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CF.” Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retains 40% bright original high polish blue finish with a couple patches of light pitting towards the muzzle, the cylinder retains 70% original blue, and the grip straps retain 90% original blue finish. The acid etched panel is clear. 50% original case colors remain on the frame and hammer. The grip is also fine with high edge wear, minor handling marks, and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional example of a J.P. Lower & Sons of Denver shipped black powder, acid etched barrel panel Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver that will bring added value to any SAA or Western collection. Provenance: The Doug Ellison Collection; The Richard Atkinson Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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LOT 145
Rare and Desirable “Slim Jim” Leather Colt Single Action Army Holster by G.H. & J.S. Collins, Cheyenne, Wyoming - Brothers Gilbert H. and John S. Collins first set up their saddle and leather goods making and wholesaling business in Omaha, Nebraska in 1864, but quickly discovered that many of their goods were more popular further west. From 1872 to 1876, John served as the post trader at Fort Laramie, expanding their business to Cheyenne in the Wyoming Territory. This example, bearing the Cheyenne, Wyoming address was likely made around this time. It is made of brown leather in the “Slim Jim” style with a lightly tooled floral border and the maker’s mark/address stamped on the front. There is a single belt loop on the back attached with rivets.
CONDITION: Fine overall, showing some moderate wear, mostly on edges, and some scattered mild cracking and flaking with well-defined markings and tooling. Original holsters from such a desirable maker such as this are rare in any condition!
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750