RARE EARLY CIVILIAN COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

RARE EARLY CIVILIAN COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 36898. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Bottom of bbl has the last four digits of SN underneath the ejector rod housing. These numbers were factory stamped over the orig military number which appears to have been “5391”. Bottom of bbl is also stamped with the military inspector initials “J.T.C.” (John T. Cleveland). The bbl number falls within the John T. Cleveland sub-inspected series of 1876-1877 in the serial range 30693 through 35569, and therefore would have been originally on cavalry single action SN 35391. Above the inspector initials on the bbl is a tiny “P” proof and above that is a tiny “C” which indicates this bbl was condemned and not accepted for installation on the orig revolver. Colt being the frugal company they were, recycled this bbl and installed it on this revolver which was produced in the same time frame and at which time they overstamped the orig SN with the number to match this revolver. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and is mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of SN in back strap channel. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. SN was observed on frame, trigger guard and butt strap with last four digits of SN on bottom of bbl, as noted, on cyl & back strap channel of grip. Ejector rod housing is 3rd type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver in caliber 45, blue finish with bbl length & type of stocks not listed, shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York, NY on Aug. 23, 1877 in a shipment of 50 same type revolvers. In addition to being an early civilian example, when most of the production was going to the military, this revolver also is distinctive with the condemned military bbl as noted. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip. Bbl retains 25-30% orig blue, strong under ejector rod housing, thin around front sight with balance of bbl a silver/gray patina. Frame retains faded case colors in front gullets and sheltered areas, being mostly a gray/brown patina. Sight groove retains strong case colors. Hammer retains faded case colors, stronger on left side. Trigger guard & back strap retain bright blue in sheltered areas being mostly a blue/gray patina. Screws are all crisp & sharp and retain 70-80% of their orig blue. Cylinder retains plum blue in the flutes with the outer diameter a blue/brown patina. Grip is sound showing moderate to heavy edge wear with light handling & use and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with scattered very fine pitting. 4-41994 JR172 (7,500-12,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2179	$3,450.00	RARE EARLY CIVILIAN COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 36898. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Bottom of bbl has the last four digits of SN underneath the ejector rod housing. These numbers were factory stamped over the orig military number which appears to have been “5391”. Bottom of bbl is also stamped with the military inspector initials “J.T.C.” (John T. Cleveland). The bbl number falls within the John T. Cleveland sub-inspected series of 1876-1877 in the serial range 30693 through 35569, and therefore would have been originally on cavalry single action SN 35391. Above the inspector initials on the bbl is a tiny “P” proof and above that is a tiny “C” which indicates this bbl was condemned and not accepted for installation on the orig revolver. Colt being the frugal company they were, recycled this bbl and installed it on this revolver which was produced in the same time frame and at which time they overstamped the orig SN with the number to match this revolver. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and is mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of SN in back strap channel. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. SN was observed on frame, trigger guard and butt strap with last four digits of SN on bottom of bbl, as noted, on cyl & back strap channel of grip. Ejector rod housing is 3rd type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver in caliber 45, blue finish with bbl length & type of stocks not listed, shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York, NY on Aug. 23, 1877 in a shipment of 50 same type revolvers. In addition to being an early civilian example, when most of the production was going to the military, this revolver also is distinctive with the condemned military bbl as noted. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip. Bbl retains 25-30% orig blue, strong under ejector rod housing, thin around front sight with balance of bbl a silver/gray patina. Frame retains faded case colors in front gullets and sheltered areas, being mostly a gray/brown patina. Sight groove retains strong case colors. Hammer retains faded case colors, stronger on left side. Trigger guard & back strap retain bright blue in sheltered areas being mostly a blue/gray patina. Screws are all crisp & sharp and retain 70-80% of their orig blue. Cylinder retains plum blue in the flutes with the outer diameter a blue/brown patina. Grip is sound showing moderate to heavy edge wear with light handling & use and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with scattered very fine pitting. 4-41994 JR172 (7,500-12,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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