1337

EXTREMELY RARE PINCHED FRAME COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE PINCHED FRAME COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.
SN 36. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and it is mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip whose back strap channel is too soiled to see any numbers there. According to various publications there were probably fewer than 100 of these rare revolvers produced in serial ranges between 25 and 152 in the time before military contracts. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, probably fewer than 30 of these revolvers survive as of that writing. This exact revolver is pictured on p. 243 of The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, with credit to the Collection of Robert Q. Sutherland, Mr. Wilson's original co-author of this book. The caption to the photograph states that this revolver had been sold to the Remington Arms Co. for ammunition testing. Contact with Remington Arms revealed no record of this revolver, which is not unusual under the circumstances. Remington did state, however, that very likely this revolver had been sold to the Union Metallic Cartridge Co. prior to that company merging with Remington. The caption to the photograph also states that the orig bbl & cyl had been replaced, having been worn through frequent firing. This contention is supported by the fact that the bbl & cyl are of substantially later vintage with block letter address on the bbl and without the SN on the bbl or cylinder. The top of the bbl, at the frame, has two tiny "P" proof marks with small "C" and "S" proof marks near the ejector housing stud. Ejector housing is 3rd type with what is probably the orig bull's eye ejector rod head. The housing was necessarily changed to accommodate the screw stud on the new bbl. Close examination of the cyl discloses no trace of orig finish having the overall appearance of being in the white. The contention that this revolver was used in ammunition testing is readily verified by the fact that the top strap, just above forcing cone, is eroded very deeply and at this point is probably unsafe to shoot. Also the forcing cone of the bbl is cracked in several places which has allowed the extremely hot gases from firing to escape through these cracks and erode the frame in adjacent areas. This very rare single action is certainly historic in its rarity as one of the few survivors of its type but has the additional rarity of having belonged to a fabled ammunition company. PROVENANCE: Ex Sutherland Collection. CONDITION: Good to very good. Bbl retains about 60% strong orig blue, mostly on bottom of bbl, thin over the top & left side. Frame retains 40-50% strong, bright orig case colors with the sides of the frame & recoil shields fading to silver. Hammer retains strong case colors on sides & rear edge with the top edge turned silver. Cylinder is a gray metal patina with sharp edges and scattered fine pitting. Trigger guard & back strap retain strong blue in sheltered areas with the front strap & back straps a blue/brown patina. Ejector housing retains about 75% glossy orig blue. Grip is sound with worn edges and slightly chipped toes and retains a dark oil stain with light handling & use marks. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with good shine. 4-38847 JR65