3240

Exceptional, Early Production Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Exceptional, Early Production Colt Single Action Army Revolver
Colt Single Action Army Revolver manufactured in 1881. The revolver has the standard Colt commercial blue barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap with casehardened frame and hammer. The screws have a fiery, niter blue finish. The one-piece walnut grip has a varnish finish. The revolver has the oval ejector rod head which replaced the earlier 'bull's-eye' ejector rod head about serial number 113,000. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with elongated block letter address: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with Colt's 'three dates in three lines' patent markings. The caliber designation, "45 CAL" is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number, "883". The full serial number, "66736" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The partial serial number, "6736" is stamped on the barrel underneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. "6736" is written in ink on the backstrap cut-out. All of the serial numbers match. The rear face of the cylinder is stamped with a small "H" and "8". An "H" is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 66736
Condition: Very fine. The revolver retains nearly 85% of the original blue and 75% casehardened finish and shows minimal firing wear. The barrel has finish wear at the muzzle and on the top and left side near the frame. The 'feathered' polishing marks are visible on either side of the front sight blade. Most of the blue finish is present on the cylinder. There is moderate finish wear on the inside of the grip strap but the trigger guard and backstrap retain the majority of the high polish, commercial blue finish. The frame, hammer and loading gate have about 85% of the original casehardened finish with vivid case colors in protected areas. The frame, trigger guard and grip screws have most of the niter blue finish and show minimal screwdriver wear. The grip is in excellent condition with nearly 95% of the original varnish intact. Wear is limited to some finish loss on the edges of the grip heel and some minor handling marks. All of the revolver markings are crisp. The bore is bright. The action is crisp but the hammer will not hold at half-cock. This is an exceptional example of an early production Colt Single Action Army Revolver.