1363A

SCARCE BROWNING BROTHERS ASSOCIATED ENGRAVED FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:13,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
SCARCE BROWNING BROTHERS ASSOCIATED ENGRAVED FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.
SN 82296. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Nickel finish with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" etched panel on left side. Bottom of bbl is marked with a tiny "44" above the base pin. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked "44 CAL". Mounted with beautiful 2-pc pearl grips with an early raised carved ox head on left side. Revolver is beautifully engraved by Cuno Helfricht with fine foliate arabesque patterns on the frame that has very fine pearled or punch-dot background. Left recoil shield is engraved with a large flower blossom and diamond & dot patterns with a matching flower blossom on loading gate. Top strap is engraved in leaf & vine and geometric patterns with sunbursts & foliate arabesque patterns on both sides of the front frame. Engraving extends up both sides of the bbl and each side of the muzzle with snake & dot patterns around the address and on each side of the bbl between the engraving patterns. Ejector housing is third type with half moon ejector rod head and has snake & dot patterns in top gullet & on outer radius. Bottom edge of the outer radius is hand-filed with seven small notches. Cyl is engraved in alternating foliate arabesque & geometric patterns on the lands between the flutes with light decorations in the flutes and a snake & chip pattern around the rear edge. Back strap & butt strap are engraved in geometric patterns with a beautiful fan pattern at the top of the back strap and a small sunburst on the trigger bow. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which lists two single action revolvers with the same SN, one of which is this revolver in caliber 44-40, with 7-1/2" bbl, nickel finish, pearl stocks and factory engraved, shipped to Browning Bros., Ogden, Utah on May 18, 1887 in a 1-gun shipment. Given the time frame and the destination of the shipment of this Colt leaves no doubt that it saw service, probably with a lawman or wealthy rancher, on the western frontier. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl retains 40-50% orig nickel with the balance cleaned to bright metal; etched panel is completely legible; frame retains traces of orig nickel, having been cleaned to a gray metal patina and shows heavy wear on the recoil shield & loading gate; cyl is a matching patina showing moderate to heavy wear; trigger guard & front strap retain about 40-50% orig nickel with the balance gray metal patina; back strap & butt strap retain 92-93% strong orig nickel. Left grip has a repaired toe and chipped heel, otherwise is sound and retains great fire & color; right grip is possibly a more recent replacement showing very little wear with great fire & color. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with a slight ring about 1-1/2" from muzzle. 4-48277 JR376