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VERY RARE COLT OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER FROM THE U.S. CARTRIDGE COMPANY COLLECTION.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
VERY RARE COLT OPEN TOP SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER FROM THE U.S. CARTRIDGE COMPANY COLLECTION.
SN 3570. Cal. 44 RF. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2" rnd bbl, German silver front sight, 1-line block letter address and fixed rear sight integral with the rear of the bbl. Right side of the bbl lug is mounted with an ejector housing that has a half moon ejector rod head engraved with a bull's eye. Bottom of bbl is hand-stamped "#91." Frame has 2-line patent dates and a loading gate in the right side with assembly number "421". Cyl is usual 6-shots with Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has three digits of a SN "848" in the back strap channel and "91" stamped on left side of the grip. Top of back strap is hand stamped "U.S.C. Co." which stands for the U.S. Cartridge Company Collection. According to Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms only about 7,000 of these scarce revolvers were produced in the period 1872-1873. These first big bore cartridge revolvers are the predecessor to the venerable Model 1873 Single Action Army. They were immediately accepted by the buying public and usually saw extensive hard service on the American frontier usually under extreme harsh conditions with little or no maintenance and are rarely found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: U.S. Cartridge Company Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching except grip, as noted. This grip has been in place since the late 1800s when it became part of the U.S. Cartridge Co. Collection. Bbl retains about 95% glossy orig blue with a series of very fine scratches and some minor flaking with light muzzle edge wear; ejector housing retains about 70% glossy orig blue with the outer radius a blue/brown patina; frame retains brilliant case colors, moderately faded on the loading gate; hammer retains bright case colors turned dark on top edge; cyl is a gray/brown patina and shows about 98% sharp Ormsby naval battle scene roll marking; trigger guard retains about 60% strong orig blue with the area inside the trigger bow a brown patina and flaking on the front strap; back strap retains bright blue at the top with the back strap & butt strap a blue/gray patina. Grip has tiny chipped toes and shows moderate edge wear with nicks & scratches and retains about 70-75% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. A truly rare, high condition open top. 4-48207 JR315