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LOT 3030
Documented Antique Black Powder Frame Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 125877, 45 LC cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips.
The Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular handguns in late 19th century and is easily
the most iconic and most thoroughly associated with the American West. This example was manufactured in 1888,
and it certainly has the classic look of an authentic western working gun. The barrel has the correct two-line Hartford marking
on top. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger
guard and back strap, and the loading gate has assembly number “85”. The included factory letter confirms the current
configuration as well as shipment to Montgomery Ward & Co. in Chicago on 4 April 1888.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 30% plus of the bright original blue finish and 25% of the original case colors mostly in sheltered areas of the forward frame with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The grips are very good with a moderate chip absent from the rear edge of the right panel, some light handling marks, and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 3031
C. Reed Retailer Marked Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 57200, 40-60 WCF cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1883 as a third model with an integral dust cover rail and dust cover featuring finger grip serrations at the rear. The Model 1876 became a
very popular option on the frontier for those that weren’t happy with the stopping power of the Model 1873 in .44-40. The rifle is fitted with a beaded blade front
sight and an folding ladder rear sight, and tang mounted peep sight. The upper left of the barrel just behind the rear sight is stamped “C. REED”, which was likely a western
retailer. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line address/King’s patent marking ahead of the rear sight, “40-60 W.C.F.” at the breech, and “40-60” is marked on the cartridge
elevator. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1876.” The serial number is on the lower tang. The straight grip stock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing a four-piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a mottled brown-grey patina with some scattered small patches of light pitting, typical of a rifle entrusted for survival on the western frontier. The wood is very good showing the scattered minor dings and scratches of years of service. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3032
“Frontier Issued” Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 554682B, 38 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. Extremely popular among people from all walks of life on the western frontier, the Winchester Model 1873 has become one of the
iconic weapons of the Old West. A large part of their popularity, along with that of the Single Action Army revolver, was that the two weapons could be
paired in the same caliber, allowing those that trusted them for protection to only carry one type of ammunition. Along with this, the saddle ring carbine, like
this example, packed a large amount of firepower in a small package that could easily be carried in a scabbard on a saddle or across a rider’s lap while on horseback. The
Model 1873 is often referred to as one of the guns “that won the west”, and this example, manufactured in 1900, certainly has the look of having earned that moniker. The top
of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address/King’s patent marking and “38 W.C.F.” at the breech, while the bottom of the cartridge elevator is marked “38 CAL.” The model designation
is marked on the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with blade front and folding ladder rear sights. It’s mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a
trapdoor carbine buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a smooth brown patina with some scattered patches of light surface pitting/oxidation, the look of an honest, working man’s gun, that saw years of duty on the
frontier. The wood is also good showing similar western character to the metal with scatter minor dings and a few hairline cracks, a physical record of the miles it traveled. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 31