RARE EARLY COLT MODEL 1871 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

RARE EARLY COLT MODEL 1871 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 961. Cal. 44 RF. Rare early open top with 7-3/8″ bbl, slightly amputated, with German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address and an integral rear sight at the cyl end. Left side of frame is marked “COLTS PATENT”. Hammer has the rimfire nose attached to the left side with two rivets. Cyl is usual 6-shots, unfluted and not rebated. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the number “1336” in backstrap channel. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms only about the first 1,000 of the production of this revolver had the “COLTS PATENT” frame marking out of the total of 7,000 manufactured in the period 1872-73. These revolvers were Colt’s successor to the Richards and Richards-Mason conversion revolvers and attained great success being chambered for the same cartridge as the Henry and Winchester Model 1866 rifles. They saw hard & continuous service on the American frontier, usually under adverse circumstances with little or no maintenance. With the advent of the Model 1873 Colt and other centerfire revolvers these rimfire revolvers fell into disfavor and were either discarded or, more commonly, sold to the Mexican and South & Central American markets where the rimfire rifles were still popular. Their hard service continued in the harsh jungle environments and are usually found today with altered bbls and little or no orig finish. CONDITION: Good to very good, all matching including wedge & cyl, except grip which is numbered as noted above; bbl retains thin blue on bottom in sheltered areas with the balance a blue/gray patina showing heavy wear; frame retains smoky case colors on sides with balance faded to silver; hammer nose has had the firing pin rivets peened on right side; hammer spring is a replacement; cyl is a smooth gray/brown patina with one area of light pitting; trigger guard is a medium mustard patina and the backstrap is a gray/brown patina; grip has chipped toes showing heavy wear and retains about 30% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 4-45828 JR249 (4,000-6,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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
	2273	$7,762.50	RARE EARLY COLT MODEL 1871 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 961. Cal. 44 RF. Rare early open top with 7-3/8″ bbl, slightly amputated, with German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address and an integral rear sight at the cyl end. Left side of frame is marked “COLTS PATENT”. Hammer has the rimfire nose attached to the left side with two rivets. Cyl is usual 6-shots, unfluted and not rebated. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the number “1336” in backstrap channel. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms only about the first 1,000 of the production of this revolver had the “COLTS PATENT” frame marking out of the total of 7,000 manufactured in the period 1872-73. These revolvers were Colt’s successor to the Richards and Richards-Mason conversion revolvers and attained great success being chambered for the same cartridge as the Henry and Winchester Model 1866 rifles. They saw hard & continuous service on the American frontier, usually under adverse circumstances with little or no maintenance. With the advent of the Model 1873 Colt and other centerfire revolvers these rimfire revolvers fell into disfavor and were either discarded or, more commonly, sold to the Mexican and South & Central American markets where the rimfire rifles were still popular. Their hard service continued in the harsh jungle environments and are usually found today with altered bbls and little or no orig finish. CONDITION: Good to very good, all matching including wedge & cyl, except grip which is numbered as noted above; bbl retains thin blue on bottom in sheltered areas with the balance a blue/gray patina showing heavy wear; frame retains smoky case colors on sides with balance faded to silver; hammer nose has had the firing pin rivets peened on right side; hammer spring is a replacement; cyl is a smooth gray/brown patina with one area of light pitting; trigger guard is a medium mustard patina and the backstrap is a gray/brown patina; grip has chipped toes showing heavy wear and retains about 30% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 4-45828 JR249 (4,000-6,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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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