1383

EARLY FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 11,000.00 USD
EARLY FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.
SN 77573. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Nickel finish with 7-1/2" bbl, slightly thinned front sight, one line block letter address and etched panel on the left side. Bottom of bbl has a tiny "44" just in front of the frame. Left side of frame has three line patent dates and it is mounted with an original one piece ivory grip. Grip certainly appears to have sufficient age to be original to this revolver with corresponding rust stains to rust pitting on the front and back straps which further lends credence to this being the original grip. Ejector housing is third type with bulls eye ejector head. Base pin is also original type with dimpled ends. Accompanied by a fine period leather belt that is about 34" x 2" with unusual string inlay and 36 sewn-on cartridge loops containing 7 modern 44-40 cartridges. Also accompanied by a period leather holster with sewn rear edge and toe and nicely tooled front and rear with brass grommet lanyard hole in the toe. Additionally accompanied by an early, unmarked, hand made bowie knife with 8" heavy clip point blade, 13" overall with 1/8" thick oval brass double hand guard mounted with two piece smooth bone scales secured with three brass rivets. Blade is 3/16" thick with slightly tapered tang. Additionally accompanied by the original knife sheath with steel grommet and tooled decorations. Also accompanied by the book A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, Graham, Kopec & Moore which pictures this revolver on p. 42, identified by serial number, along with its complete rig as described above. The caption states "shown with its contemporary 1880's belt, holster, bowie knife, sheath and corroded cartridges" with credit to the William W. Dalrymple Collection. Finally accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver, as found, with barrel length and type of stocks not listed, shipped to Hartley & Graham NY, NY on March 10, 1882 in a 100 gun shipment. It was common practice for major distributors such as Hartley & Graham to provide special grips for plated guns. PROVENANCE: William W. Dalrymple Collection, Barnes Family Collection. CONDITION: Revolver retains about 30% original nickel, mostly on the bbl and top strap; bbl has moderate to heavy pitting around the muzzle with the loss areas a dark patina; etched panel shows wear but is mostly legible; frame shows pitting around the front gullets with the flaked areas a dark patina; hammer retains about 50-60% original nickel; trigger guard and front strap are a cleaned gray metal patina; back strap retains about 40% original nickel and cylinder is a gray metal patina with fine pitting over the front 1/3 and in the flutes; ejector housing retains strong nickel in the gullets and a gray-metal patina on the outer radius; mechanics are fine; strong bore with moderate pitting; grip is sound with a beautiful golden ivory patina and light damage from rust from the front and back straps. Knife is fine with fine pitting on the blade, which appears to be nearly full length and is a gray metal patina; grip scales have age lines on each side and retain a fine ivory-like patina. Belt, holster and knife sheath show moderate to heavy wear with some crackling and finish loss but overall retain most of their original brown finish; knife sheath is very dry with heavy flexing on the tip and a cut in the back edge and is restitched; the buckle billet is a replacement but the buckle appears to be original. Book is fine. 4-47646 JR204