MARTIALLY MARKED “BUY-BACK” COLT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

MARTIALLY MARKED “BUY-BACK” COLT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Colt. SN 111890. Blue & case colored original finish, this revolver has a 4-13/16″ bbl, repositioned front sight, bull’s eye ejector rod head, “US” on the left side of the frame and “45 Cal.” on the left front web of the trigger bow. It has original 1-piece walnut grips with a fine Frank Heath cartouche and the date “1884” on the left side with a “DFC” cartouche in a rectangle on the right side. The frame above the serial number, bbl and cylinder have “DFC” sub-inspector marks. There is also a small “G” below the serial number on the trigger guard and again on the back strap. This revolver, while not specifically identified by serial number in Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers”, Kopec & Fenn, it is in the range of many that were identified as “Buy-Back” revolvers. Kopec speculates that these revolvers were issued to various militia units who later sold them to a major gun dealer who, in turn, resold them to Colt at a cheaper price than they could be manufactured. Colt altered them by shortening the bbls to an odd length and stamping the caliber on the web of the trigger guard, thus identifying them as civilian revolvers that have passed stringent military inspection. This, ostensibly made them more saleable to the public. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver as having been shipped to the U.S. Government at the Colt plant in a shipment of 150 like items on October 30, 1884. Also accompanied by a Kopec letter discussing the information as related above and authenticating this revolver as a “Buy-Back”. CONDITION: Fine, the bbl retains about 60% original blue with scattered spots of light pitting. The ejector rod housing retains 40-50% original blue with a few spots of heavy pitting. The frame retains about 30-40% dark case colors with a file mark on the right side below the hammer screw. The hammer screw and one small frame screw are replacements. The cylinder retains traces of original blue in the flutes with scattered light surface pitting and one area of heavier pitting that corresponds to a spot on the loading gate. The grips are fine with both cartouches and the date sharp and legible. The right side has a rough area that appears to be rodent gnawing. The back strap has an area of moderate pitting. Mechanics are crisp with what may be a replacement hammer spring as it is very stiff. The cylinder pin screw is missing, strong bright bore with scattered light to moderate pitting. A scarce and desirable martial single action. 4-53190 JR806 (6,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

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
	1581	$0.00	MARTIALLY MARKED “BUY-BACK” COLT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Colt. SN 111890. Blue & case colored original finish, this revolver has a 4-13/16″ bbl, repositioned front sight, bull’s eye ejector rod head, “US” on the left side of the frame and “45 Cal.” on the left front web of the trigger bow. It has original 1-piece walnut grips with a fine Frank Heath cartouche and the date “1884” on the left side with a “DFC” cartouche in a rectangle on the right side. The frame above the serial number, bbl and cylinder have “DFC” sub-inspector marks. There is also a small “G” below the serial number on the trigger guard and again on the back strap. This revolver, while not specifically identified by serial number in Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers”, Kopec & Fenn, it is in the range of many that were identified as “Buy-Back” revolvers. Kopec speculates that these revolvers were issued to various militia units who later sold them to a major gun dealer who, in turn, resold them to Colt at a cheaper price than they could be manufactured. Colt altered them by shortening the bbls to an odd length and stamping the caliber on the web of the trigger guard, thus identifying them as civilian revolvers that have passed stringent military inspection. This, ostensibly made them more saleable to the public. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver as having been shipped to the U.S. Government at the Colt plant in a shipment of 150 like items on October 30, 1884. Also accompanied by a Kopec letter discussing the information as related above and authenticating this revolver as a “Buy-Back”. CONDITION: Fine, the bbl retains about 60% original blue with scattered spots of light pitting. The ejector rod housing retains 40-50% original blue with a few spots of heavy pitting. The frame retains about 30-40% dark case colors with a file mark on the right side below the hammer screw. The hammer screw and one small frame screw are replacements. The cylinder retains traces of original blue in the flutes with scattered light surface pitting and one area of heavier pitting that corresponds to a spot on the loading gate. The grips are fine with both cartouches and the date sharp and legible. The right side has a rough area that appears to be rodent gnawing. The back strap has an area of moderate pitting. Mechanics are crisp with what may be a replacement hammer spring as it is very stiff. The cylinder pin screw is missing, strong bright bore with scattered light to moderate pitting. A scarce and desirable martial single action. 4-53190 JR806 (6,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 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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