1295

SCARCE COLT MODEL 1871-1872 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
SCARCE COLT MODEL 1871-1872 OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.
SN 127. Cal. 42 Stetson (44 RF Henry Flat). Usual configuration with 7-1/2" rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address with a fixed rear sight on breech end of bbl. Right side of bbl lug is mounted with an ejector housing with bull's eye ejector rod head. Left side of frame is marked "COLT' PATENT". Cyl is straight, unfluted, with Ormsby Naval battle scene roll marking. The silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a Navy-sized 1-pc walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. The confusion regarding the actual caliber of these revolvers relates to the orig Stetson's Patent of the 44 rimfire cartridge. In 1871 when Mr. Stetson was granted the patent for his cartridge it was known as the 42 caliber Stetson because the land diameter of the bore of the revolver was actually .420" whereas the groove diameter is .440". In fact, p. 280 of A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers, McDowell, illustrates the Stetson cartridge and in the right hand column lists a factory letter for this exact revolver which states "Caliber .42 for Stetson cartridge". The barrel length, finish and stocks are not listed, "sold and shipped to Spies, Kissam & Co., New York, NY on July 18, 1872 in a 20-gun shipment." And thus creates the confusion in the actual caliber of this revolver. A physical test disclosed that a 44 RF Henry flat cartridge will chamber precisely. PROVENANCE: Dr. John M. Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching except wedge which is properly unnumbered. Bbl retains about 60-65% glossy orig blue with the losses primarily from flaking & cleaned spots which also have fine pitting resembling blood pitting; ejector housing is mostly a blue/brown patina; frame & hammer retain most of their orig case colors, turning dark and faded on the recoil shield & loading gate; trigger guard retains 95-96% strong orig silver and the backstrap/buttstrap retains about 85% orig silver; cyl retains 20-25% orig blue with the balance a brownish patina and light pitting around the front edge and shows about 75-80% Ormsby Naval battle scene. Grip is sound showing light edge wear, a few nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with scattered moderate pitting. 4-46458 JR107