RARE COLT MODEL 1871-72 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

SN 1496. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line “NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” address. Right side of bbl lug has an ejector housing with half-moon, bullseye ejector rod head. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates. The silver plated brass trigger guard and blued steel backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc army sized walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. Cylinder is usual 6-chambers with Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking. Hammer has the firing pin attached to the right side of the nose with 2 rivets. There was about 7,000 of these revolvers produced in the period 1872-1873 and was the successor to the earlier Richards & Richard-Mason conversions of the 1816 Army. These revolvers were manufactured not converted. These revolvers were in great demand on the American Frontier by individuals from all walks of life and both sides of the law. They chambered the cartridge that was well established in the Henry Model 1860 and Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifles, which gave the user the advantage of having to carry only 1 type of ammunition for both arms. These early big bore revolvers usually saw very hard service. Very few survived today and are usually found as relics. They remained in service into the mid-1870s, until supplanted by the center fire cartridge revolver. Afterward, the majority of them were sold into Mexico and South America where the 44RF cartridge was still popular. Those revolvers that have been repatrioted to the U.S. are usually in relic condition. PROVENANCE: The William Gerber Family Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except wedge which is properly un-numbered. Bbl retains 88-90% glossy orig blue with wear over the top of the bbl log. Ejector housing retains about 85% strong orig blue. Frame retains nearly all of its orig case colors, moderately faded on the left side, a little brighter on the right side with strong colors in sheltered areas. Hammer retains very bright case colors on the sides and rear edge turning silver on top edge. Cylinder retains about 50% thin orig blue and shows about 90% Ormsby Naval marking battle scene roll marking. Trigger guard shows silver plating only under the grip, being a medium mustard patina overall. Backstrap retains bright blue around top and on buttstrap being a blue/gray patina in the middle. Grip is sound showing light edge wear and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a couple small spots of pitting. A rare find with strong orig finish. (WG-045) 4-51068 JR356 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2036

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	2036	$17,250.00	RARE COLT MODEL 1871-72 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 1496. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line “NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” address. Right side of bbl lug has an ejector housing with half-moon, bullseye ejector rod head. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates. The silver plated brass trigger guard and blued steel backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc army sized walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. Cylinder is usual 6-chambers with Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking. Hammer has the firing pin attached to the right side of the nose with 2 rivets. There was about 7,000 of these revolvers produced in the period 1872-1873 and was the successor to the earlier Richards & Richard-Mason conversions of the 1816 Army. These revolvers were manufactured not converted. These revolvers were in great demand on the American Frontier by individuals from all walks of life and both sides of the law. They chambered the cartridge that was well established in the Henry Model 1860 and Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifles, which gave the user the advantage of having to carry only 1 type of ammunition for both arms. These early big bore revolvers usually saw very hard service. Very few survived today and are usually found as relics. They remained in service into the mid-1870s, until supplanted by the center fire cartridge revolver. Afterward, the majority of them were sold into Mexico and South America where the 44RF cartridge was still popular. Those revolvers that have been repatrioted to the U.S. are usually in relic condition. PROVENANCE: The William Gerber Family Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except wedge which is properly un-numbered. Bbl retains 88-90% glossy orig blue with wear over the top of the bbl log. Ejector housing retains about 85% strong orig blue. Frame retains nearly all of its orig case colors, moderately faded on the left side, a little brighter on the right side with strong colors in sheltered areas. Hammer retains very bright case colors on the sides and rear edge turning silver on top edge. Cylinder retains about 50% thin orig blue and shows about 90% Ormsby Naval marking battle scene roll marking. Trigger guard shows silver plating only under the grip, being a medium mustard patina overall. Backstrap retains bright blue around top and on buttstrap being a blue/gray patina in the middle. Grip is sound showing light edge wear and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a couple small spots of pitting. A rare find with strong orig finish. (WG-045) 4-51068 JR356 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2036 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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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RARE COLT MODEL 1871-72 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.