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EXTRAORDINARY COLT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:25,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
EXTRAORDINARY COLT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER
EXTRAORDINARY COLT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. Cal .45 Boxer. Nickel finish with 7-1/2” bbl, slanted script bbl marking with two line patent dates and 1-pc walnut grips. The left shoulder of the backstrap is stamped with a “C” and a tiny rampant Colt. The small “C” is also found on the frame in the hammer slot above the firing pin hole and again on the back of the cylinder. The caliber “45 CAL/B” is marked on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The bottom of bbl and the cylinder between each chamber is stamped with tiny British proofs. The ejector rod housing is of the first type which is correct for this revolver. Colt factory records indicate that this revolver was shipped as it is here, on January 14, 1875 to Colt’s London Agency. The caliber in the record is listed as “45 Eley Long”. However, examination of the individual chambers disclose the short shoulder consistent with the 45 Boxer round as is marked on the trigger guard. The tiny rampant colt stamped on the left shoulder of the backstrap is explained as an import mark by Colt’s Agency in the United Kingdom, in “The Peacemaker and Its Rivals” by John E. Parsons. The “C” markings, according to “Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers, A Continuing Study” by John A. Kopec and H. Sterling Fenn, were applied to individual parts at the Colt plant when they were found not to meet specifications, see pages 42 and 157. The “C” stamping, according to Kopec, was always placed in a conspicuous areas as is found on this revolver. After the contract for that particular run of revolvers was completed, Colt was allowed to salvage any serviceable parts which were then assembled into completed firearms and sold on the open market. It has been observed that a large number of these condemned revolvers were nickel plated which is consistent with this revolver. Bbl lettering, patent markings, serial numbers and “45 CAL” on the shoulder of the trigger are noticeably more shallow than normally found. The screw holes in the frame are also slightly dished which is not consistent with a first quality production item from Colt. Accompanied by a letter dated July 10, 2002 from R.L. Wilson wherein he states the information regarding the Colt records and that this revolver was in a shipment of three like items. Also accompanies is an undated three page letter from Mr. Wilson discussing this revolver. SN 15221. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine, all matching, probably unfired, retaining most of its fine factory nickel with slight dulling at the muzzle edge. The left side of the frame has a few scattered tiny spots in the nickel, a couple of tiny flake spots around one of the flutes and a very light cylinder drag line. The screws retain virtually of their original factory blue albeit slightly dulled. The grips have very minor sharp edge wear with two or three tiny nicks in the surface finish and retain virtually their original bright varnish. Brilliant shiny bore. 4-49449 JR523