WORLD’S FINEST COLT PINCH FRAME SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER IN PRIVATE HANDS TODAY.

WORLD’S FINEST COLT PINCH FRAME SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER IN PRIVATE HANDS TODAY. Cal. 45 Colt. SN 163. Colt first began producing the “Pinch Frame” version in anticipation of an army contract,but when the army refused the pinch frame version and demanded a different version, Colt stopped production. Thus, less than 200 of these were evr produced. Not only is this the finest pinch frame in private hands, it is also the highest number known. It has 7-1/2” bbl with German silver front sight and 1-pc walnut grip. Bbl has the 1-line script address with serifs at each end and has the first type ejector rod housing without slot at the end and has bull’s eye ejector rod head. Serial number on bbl is completely visible outside of the ejector rod housing. It has the orig base pin with dimples at each end and has the caliber marking on left shoulder of triggerguard. That stamping is a little muddled but upon close examination one can see where it was originally stamped upside down and then over-stamped correctly right side up. Frame on this revolver has the early 2-line patent dates and was never finished and is still in the white. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter identifying this revolver with blue finish, bbl length & stocks not listed, shipped to Hartley & Graham, July 21, 1880 in a shipment of fifty same type guns. Under remarks section it notes that at the time of shipment the serial numbers had reached into the 40,000’s but that this shipment also contained five other 3-digit numbers including number “121”. Since some of these Colts were made nearly 7 years earlier, Colt was obviously cleaning out a closet of old stock. Also accompanied by an R.L. Wilson letter wherein he gives a little background on this revolver. Apparently in about 1963 Joseph Hogan, President & Founder of PYE & Hogan Mfg. of Old Saybrook, CT purchased this revolver along with other firearms & swords from a gentleman suffering through a divorce settlement. It wasn’t until 1988 that the revolver was brought to Mr. Wilson for examination. Mr. Wilson states that the revolver, in his opinion, is completely original in all respects and that it is “the highest serial numbered, pinched frame, single action Army Colt currently known to collectors”. He goes on to state that “it ranks amongst the best specimens known”. Additional documenting authenticity will be supplied to the buyer. Also accompanied by a 1950’s, black leatherette covered, maroon velvet lined case, French fitted in bottom for revolver with a cartridge block. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching including cyl & grip. Bbl retains 50-60% thin orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas, especially toward muzzle end and under ejector rod housing. Frame has numerous small nicks & scratches with some fine pitting in various spots while the grip frame retains about 80% thin orig blue, strong in sheltered areas. Cyl is mostly a mottled blue/gray patina on outer diameter with some blue in flutes. Hammer retains 40-50% orig case colors, strong in sheltered areas. Hammer screw & the four bottom grip frame screws have machine marks and appear not to have been finished. Grip is sound with some minor chipping at right heel and at edges with a gouge or two and retains 75-80% varnish finish. Will not hold in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Markings on the gun are crisp and strong and the one-line address on the bbl is superb as it should be. At this point in history the address dye had only been struck on the 162 previous revolvers. Thus these are deep, consistent and strong as you would expect. Case is extremely fine. 4-30810 (300,000-400,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

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
	1154	$345,000.00	WORLD’S FINEST COLT PINCH FRAME SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER IN PRIVATE HANDS TODAY. Cal. 45 Colt. SN 163. Colt first began producing the “Pinch Frame” version in anticipation of an army contract,but when the army refused the pinch frame version and demanded a different version, Colt stopped production. Thus, less than 200 of these were evr produced. Not only is this the finest pinch frame in private hands, it is also the highest number known. It has 7-1/2” bbl with German silver front sight and 1-pc walnut grip. Bbl has the 1-line script address with serifs at each end and has the first type ejector rod housing without slot at the end and has bull’s eye ejector rod head. Serial number on bbl is completely visible outside of the ejector rod housing. It has the orig base pin with dimples at each end and has the caliber marking on left shoulder of triggerguard. That stamping is a little muddled but upon close examination one can see where it was originally stamped upside down and then over-stamped correctly right side up. Frame on this revolver has the early 2-line patent dates and was never finished and is still in the white. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter identifying this revolver with blue finish, bbl length & stocks not listed, shipped to Hartley & Graham, July 21, 1880 in a shipment of fifty same type guns. Under remarks section it notes that at the time of shipment the serial numbers had reached into the 40,000’s but that this shipment also contained five other 3-digit numbers including number “121”. Since some of these Colts were made nearly 7 years earlier, Colt was obviously cleaning out a closet of old stock. Also accompanied by an R.L. Wilson letter wherein he gives a little background on this revolver. Apparently in about 1963 Joseph Hogan, President & Founder of PYE & Hogan Mfg. of Old Saybrook, CT purchased this revolver along with other firearms & swords from a gentleman suffering through a divorce settlement. It wasn’t until 1988 that the revolver was brought to Mr. Wilson for examination. Mr. Wilson states that the revolver, in his opinion, is completely original in all respects and that it is “the highest serial numbered, pinched frame, single action Army Colt currently known to collectors”. He goes on to state that “it ranks amongst the best specimens known”. Additional documenting authenticity will be supplied to the buyer. Also accompanied by a 1950’s, black leatherette covered, maroon velvet lined case, French fitted in bottom for revolver with a cartridge block. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching including cyl & grip. Bbl retains 50-60% thin orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas, especially toward muzzle end and under ejector rod housing. Frame has numerous small nicks & scratches with some fine pitting in various spots while the grip frame retains about 80% thin orig blue, strong in sheltered areas. Cyl is mostly a mottled blue/gray patina on outer diameter with some blue in flutes. Hammer retains 40-50% orig case colors, strong in sheltered areas. Hammer screw & the four bottom grip frame screws have machine marks and appear not to have been finished. Grip is sound with some minor chipping at right heel and at edges with a gouge or two and retains 75-80% varnish finish. Will not hold in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Markings on the gun are crisp and strong and the one-line address on the bbl is superb as it should be. At this point in history the address dye had only been struck on the 162 previous revolvers. Thus these are deep, consistent and strong as you would expect. Case is extremely fine. 4-30810 (300,000-400,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}