EXTREMELY RARE, VERY EARLY COLT MODEL 1871-1872 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

SN 41. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/4″ orig length rnd bbl with German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address with dashes. It has conventional right hand rifling. Breech end of bbl has an integral fixed, V-notch rear sight. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT”. Cyl is usual 6-chambers with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. The blued steel trigger guard and backstrap contain a very nicely figured, varnished, flame grain 1-pc walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. Firing pin is mounted to the left side of the hammer nose with 2 rivets. Serial number was observed on the bbl lug, frame, trigger guard and backstrap in large size font. Cyl is not numbered in the usual place on the outer diameter, but is numbered on the front face in tiny font, identical to the font on serial number “4” being sold elsewhere in this auction. These tiny numbers were also observed on the wedge, rear face of bbl lug, front face of frame between lug pins, right rear face of frame, right side of front strap and back strap. No further disassembly was effected to check for additional matching numbers. This revolver is pictured as figure 7-23 on pg. 296 of A Study of Colt Conversion and Other Percussion Revolvers, McDowell, with discussion and credit to the C.D. Terry Collection. This revolver is certainly one of the finest, early Open Tops anyone is likely to encounter. These early cartridge revolvers, the immediate predecessor to the renowned Single Army Revolver, usually saw very hard service. By the time of their introduction the rimfire cartridge was obsolete and this model did not sell well. The majority of the production was sold into Mexico and South America where the rimfire cartridge was still in extensive use. Those revolvers repatriated to the U.S. are almost universally in near relic condition frequently with cut bbls. PROVENANCE: C.D. Terry Collection; The William Gerber Family Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. Bbl retains about 90% glossy orig blue, showing light wear over the address area; ejector housing retains about 30% blue showing light wear and flaking to a medium patina; frame and hammer retain about 97-98% brilliant case colors, lightly faded on left recoil shield and loading gate; cyl retains about 60% thin orig blue overall and shows about 93-95% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking; trigger guard and backstrap retain about 95% glossy orig blue, a little thin on the trigger bow, front strap and center of backstrap; grip is sound showing light edge wear with a few light nicks and retains about 95-96% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. (WG-006) 4-51100 JR515 (40,000-60,000) – Lot 2037

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
	2037	$34,500.00	EXTREMELY RARE, VERY EARLY COLT MODEL 1871-1872 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 41. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/4″ orig length rnd bbl with German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address with dashes. It has conventional right hand rifling. Breech end of bbl has an integral fixed, V-notch rear sight. Left side of frame has a small “COLTS PATENT”. Cyl is usual 6-chambers with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. The blued steel trigger guard and backstrap contain a very nicely figured, varnished, flame grain 1-pc walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. Firing pin is mounted to the left side of the hammer nose with 2 rivets. Serial number was observed on the bbl lug, frame, trigger guard and backstrap in large size font. Cyl is not numbered in the usual place on the outer diameter, but is numbered on the front face in tiny font, identical to the font on serial number “4” being sold elsewhere in this auction. These tiny numbers were also observed on the wedge, rear face of bbl lug, front face of frame between lug pins, right rear face of frame, right side of front strap and back strap. No further disassembly was effected to check for additional matching numbers. This revolver is pictured as figure 7-23 on pg. 296 of A Study of Colt Conversion and Other Percussion Revolvers, McDowell, with discussion and credit to the C.D. Terry Collection. This revolver is certainly one of the finest, early Open Tops anyone is likely to encounter. These early cartridge revolvers, the immediate predecessor to the renowned Single Army Revolver, usually saw very hard service. By the time of their introduction the rimfire cartridge was obsolete and this model did not sell well. The majority of the production was sold into Mexico and South America where the rimfire cartridge was still in extensive use. Those revolvers repatriated to the U.S. are almost universally in near relic condition frequently with cut bbls. PROVENANCE: C.D. Terry Collection; The William Gerber Family Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. Bbl retains about 90% glossy orig blue, showing light wear over the address area; ejector housing retains about 30% blue showing light wear and flaking to a medium patina; frame and hammer retain about 97-98% brilliant case colors, lightly faded on left recoil shield and loading gate; cyl retains about 60% thin orig blue overall and shows about 93-95% Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking; trigger guard and backstrap retain about 95% glossy orig blue, a little thin on the trigger bow, front strap and center of backstrap; grip is sound showing light edge wear with a few light nicks and retains about 95-96% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. (WG-006) 4-51100 JR515 (40,000-60,000) – Lot 2037 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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EXTREMELY RARE, VERY EARLY COLT MODEL 1871-1872 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.