RARE EARLY VON OPPEN COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

RARE EARLY VON OPPEN COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Boxer (45 Eley Short). SN 15304. Blue & case colored with 5-1/2″ bbl, one line slanted italic address with serifs at each end. It has its orig first type ejector rod housing with bullseye ejector rod head. It has orig front sight with two line patent address and the caliber marking “45 Cal / B” on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The right shoulder of the trigger guard has a “C” over a tiny rampant Colt stamp, which is the mark of Col. Fredrick Von Oppen, Sam Colt’s brother-in-law and London & European Agent. Only a very few of such marked revolvers are known today. It has blued grip frame with varnished 1-pc walnut grip. The bbl & cylinder have correct tiny British proofs. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver with bbl length & type of stocks not listed and indicating shipment November 5, 1874 to Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Mfg., Co. London Agency, 14 Pall Mall London, England, in a shipment of 100 same type guns. This was the first year production for the 450 Boxer Caliber and also the first year of the 5-1/2″ bbl. Additional research at Colt might disclose that his could be one of, if not, the first revolver of its type shipped from Colt. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, all matching including the bbl & cylinder, having been used very little, if at all. Bbl retains 75-80% glossy bright orig blue with the loss areas flaked to medium patina. Ejector rod housing & ejector rod head retain most of their glossy bright orig blue slightly thinned on the outside radius. Cylinder retains 75-80% orig blue. Brilliant in the flutes, thin & flaked on the outer diameter, strong & dark on the front & rear edges. Frame & hammer retain virtually all of their brilliant rainbow case colors, slightly thinned on the top strap & top edge of the hammer. Trigger guard retains virtually all of it glossy bright orig blue and the back strap about 90%, thin at the heel. Grip has a small bruise on each side and a scrape on the right side with light edge wear and retains about all of its brilliant orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore with some minor pitting in the grooves. A truly exceptional & rare single action suitable for the most discerning collector or museum. 4-57881 JR329 (35,000-50,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006

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
	412	$0.00	RARE EARLY VON OPPEN COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Boxer (45 Eley Short). SN 15304. Blue & case colored with 5-1/2″ bbl, one line slanted italic address with serifs at each end. It has its orig first type ejector rod housing with bullseye ejector rod head. It has orig front sight with two line patent address and the caliber marking “45 Cal / B” on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The right shoulder of the trigger guard has a “C” over a tiny rampant Colt stamp, which is the mark of Col. Fredrick Von Oppen, Sam Colt’s brother-in-law and London & European Agent. Only a very few of such marked revolvers are known today. It has blued grip frame with varnished 1-pc walnut grip. The bbl & cylinder have correct tiny British proofs. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver with bbl length & type of stocks not listed and indicating shipment November 5, 1874 to Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Mfg., Co. London Agency, 14 Pall Mall London, England, in a shipment of 100 same type guns. This was the first year production for the 450 Boxer Caliber and also the first year of the 5-1/2″ bbl. Additional research at Colt might disclose that his could be one of, if not, the first revolver of its type shipped from Colt. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, all matching including the bbl & cylinder, having been used very little, if at all. Bbl retains 75-80% glossy bright orig blue with the loss areas flaked to medium patina. Ejector rod housing & ejector rod head retain most of their glossy bright orig blue slightly thinned on the outside radius. Cylinder retains 75-80% orig blue. Brilliant in the flutes, thin & flaked on the outer diameter, strong & dark on the front & rear edges. Frame & hammer retain virtually all of their brilliant rainbow case colors, slightly thinned on the top strap & top edge of the hammer. Trigger guard retains virtually all of it glossy bright orig blue and the back strap about 90%, thin at the heel. Grip has a small bruise on each side and a scrape on the right side with light edge wear and retains about all of its brilliant orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore with some minor pitting in the grooves. A truly exceptional & rare single action suitable for the most discerning collector or museum. 4-57881 JR329 (35,000-50,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006 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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