LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Collection of Western History #680  / 

74240

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COLT MODEL 1872 “OPEN TOP”

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:37,500.00 USD Estimated At:75,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COLT MODEL 1872 “OPEN TOP”
<B>EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COLT MODEL 1872 “OPEN TOP” WITH ORIGINAL ENGRAVING AND “MEXICAN EAGLE” CHECKERED IVORY GRIPS CIRCA 1873-4</B></I> - An exceptional and unique period engraved .44 Rimfire Caliber Colt Model 1872 Open Top revolver SN. 2327 with a 7-1/2” barrel and extraordinary “Mexican Eagle” checkered ivory grips. This fine revolver is undoubtedly the work of the L.D. Nimschke shop, with delicate circular floral patterns in full coverage on the gun; not including the cylinder, which has also been embellished with lined engraving around the Naval battle scene. The floral engraving extends 5-1/4” down the barrel on the sides and all the way to the front sight on the top, with a fine, boxed one-line New York address. The frame has the 2-line patent date address and very crisp full coverage. The ejector rod housing and head also have been engraved, as well as the trigger guard, back strap and butt strap. The cylinder is numbered -327, the loading gate is numbered 1522 and is certainly original to the gun, and the wedge is unnumbered. The grips have a beautifully carved “Mexican Eagle” with snake motif, which is one of the finest examples ever encountered of this style.<BR><BR><B>Condition:</B></I> The gun is in excellent overall condition retaining over 95% of the original finish. This gun was originally fully silver plated, with the cylinder, ejector rod housing and hammer done in gold plate. The gun was then period nickel-plated, most likely by the original owner to avoid losing the silver and gold plate. The nickel remains on the frame and barrel, lightly flaking off in spots at the base of the barrel and on the trigger guard. The nickel has been removed from the cylinder, hammer and ejector rod housing, where the gold plate now remains. The gold plate may have been embellished, but it is difficult to tell as the gun is in unfired condition, the scene on the cylinder is well defined. There is a slight loss of silver plate at the base of the barrel. The engraving throughout is very sharp and crisp, and was not dulled by the nickel process. The grips have a fine aged patina, with sharp checkering, only minor circular age cracks to the base of the butt strap can be observed. The bore is excellent, and there is gold plate on the interior of the cylinder. The gun is in crisp mechanical condition, holding all positions and rotating with no drag line. Overall this is an exceptional and very striking Open Top revolver, one of the finest known to collectors of this type.<I> From The George Jackson Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Bats, Clubs, Sticks, Swords, Rif (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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