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LOT 1199
Very Fine Colt Model 1860 Army Richards Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 190996, 44 Colt
CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Approximately 9,000 of these “conversions” were manufactured c. 1871-
1878 using the Richards system, patented July 25th, 1871. These revolvers were produced in two serial number ranges, one being 1 to
approximately 8700, and the other being approximately 167000-200614, where this particular example falls. Designed by Charles Brinckerhoff
Richards (1835-1919), one of the co-designers of the famous Colt Single Action Army. Richards revolvers were an important stepping stone to
the Single Action Army and many saw intense use on the western frontier, leaving few examples available to collectors in high condition like
this one. The top of the barrel has the standard one line address, while the “COLT’S/PATENT” marking is on the left of the frame. The cylinder has
the standard Texas naval Battle of Campeche rollmark. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and last four digits on the
cylinder (wedge not removed). The loading gate is numbered “5439”. It is fitted with the standard breech plate with an integral notch rear sight and a floating firing pin instead of using a hammer mounted
firing pin, as well as a German silver blade front sight, an ejector rod housing with a filler slot in place of the loading lever, and a smooth walnut grip.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original nickel finish and 40% of the muted original case colors on the hammer with some scattered minor flaking and mild wear, and some light surface
spotting near the muzzle. The grip is fine with some mild wear to the varnish and scattered minor dings. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Douglas R. Carlson; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1200
Desirable Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 3931, 44 rimfire cal., 7 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1872-1873, this is one of only approximately 7,000 of these “open
top” revolvers produced by Colt. These revolvers were a direct predecessor of the hugely successful Colt Single Action Army
Revolver, and these were some of the first purpose-built cartridge revolvers made by Colt that were available in the West. A large
number of these revolvers made their way westward, representing a technological leap as the sun set on the percussion era. These revolvers
would have been highly valued by just about anyone in the American West who could afford one, offering far quicker reloading and more
reliable ignition than percussion revolvers. Though it is Colt’s Single Action Army that is often viewed as the quintessential sidearm of the
“Wild West”, these Open Tops played a prominent role in the taming of the frontier and remain a legendary firearm of the American West, as far
as collectors are concerned. Though this particular revolver remains is fine condition, it is not hard to imagine that it made its way west and into the holster
on the hip of a frontier lawman, outlaw, or gunslinger. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard one-line address, while the Colt’s patent marking is on the left of the frame. The
matching serial number is on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the renumbered to match, replacement cylinder is marked with the last three digits.
It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, the Richards-Mason style integral notch rear sight at the breech, and a smooth walnut grip.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the original nickel finish with some mild holster and handling wear, some scattered minor flaking and light surface pitting, some minor dings on
the left near the wedge, and most of the cylinder scene well-defined. The refinished grip is very good with a few minor chips and light dings. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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