VERY RARE COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 41754. Cal. .44 WCF (44-40). High polish blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight & 1-line block letter address. Left side of bbl has a crisp, clear “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” etched panel on the left side with a tiny “44” on the bottom. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked “44 C.F.” Bottom front of frame is marked with a small “C” which signifies that this was a condemned military frame removed from the manufacturing process of a military contract for some minor imperfection that is not readily discernible, but possibly a small forging flaw on right side of bbl boss and some light scrapes on sides of frame. Left shoulder of trigger guard is stamped “45 CAL”. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing is marked with last 4 digits of matching SN which are also found on the cyl. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Backstrap channel of the varnished 1-piece walnut grip has an obscured, indecipherable number. Ejector housing is 3rd type with bullseye ejector rod head. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal 44-40 with blue finish, bbl & type of stocks not listed and shipped to Hartley & Graham NY, NY, on March 1, 1880 in 50 gun shipment. The SN of this revolver would indicate production in 1878, the first year of the etched panel, which by the early 1880’s had been changed to a roll marking and the etched panel eliminated. Given that this is a condemned military frame we know from various publications that this SN would have been assigned in 1878 under the inspection of LT. David E. Lyle and the renowned sub-inspector Henry Nettleton. Studying Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers—A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn discloses that SN 41751 (only 3 numbers from this revolver) was a Cavalry revolver assigned to Troop F 6th Cavalry and 41757 was assigned to the New York Militia. The discrepancy between the time when the SN was assigned and when it was likely assembled into a civilian revolver is explained by the fact that these condemned parts were not reused until the entire Government contract was fulfilled. The majority of etched panel single actions known today have nickel finish. The high polished blue as found here was easily worn and soon disappeared when subjected to extended use and holster wear. Finding one today with such high orig finish is a very great rarity. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching, grip as noted. Bbl retains about 70% glossy, high polish orig blue with loss areas from holster wear which is now a medium brown patina with some very fine pitting on right side of muzzle. Etched panel is crisp and clean showing strong blue on the lettering. Ejector housing retains 75-80% glossy, orig blue with loss areas also from holster wear. Frame retains most of its brilliant, orig case colors, lightly faded on left recoil shield. Loading gate retains about 50% faded colors. Hammer retains about 75% brilliant case colors showing wear on right side, turned dark on top edge. Cyl retains strong blue in the flutes with thin blue on the outer diameter. Chambers retain most of their orig blue. Trigger guard & backstrap retain bright, high polish blue in the more sheltered areas, moderately thinned on front & backstraps. Grip is sound showing moderate edge wear and retains most of a very old varnish finish, possibly from the factory. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. A truly rare Colt. 49152-1 JR (27,500-42,500) – Lot 3209

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - October 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3209	$25,875.00	VERY RARE COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 41754. Cal. .44 WCF (44-40). High polish blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight & 1-line block letter address. Left side of bbl has a crisp, clear “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” etched panel on the left side with a tiny “44” on the bottom. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and left front web of trigger guard is marked “44 C.F.” Bottom front of frame is marked with a small “C” which signifies that this was a condemned military frame removed from the manufacturing process of a military contract for some minor imperfection that is not readily discernible, but possibly a small forging flaw on right side of bbl boss and some light scrapes on sides of frame. Left shoulder of trigger guard is stamped “45 CAL”. Bottom of bbl, under ejector housing is marked with last 4 digits of matching SN which are also found on the cyl. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Backstrap channel of the varnished 1-piece walnut grip has an obscured, indecipherable number. Ejector housing is 3rd type with bullseye ejector rod head. Accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal 44-40 with blue finish, bbl & type of stocks not listed and shipped to Hartley & Graham NY, NY, on March 1, 1880 in 50 gun shipment. The SN of this revolver would indicate production in 1878, the first year of the etched panel, which by the early 1880’s had been changed to a roll marking and the etched panel eliminated. Given that this is a condemned military frame we know from various publications that this SN would have been assigned in 1878 under the inspection of LT. David E. Lyle and the renowned sub-inspector Henry Nettleton. Studying Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers—A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn discloses that SN 41751 (only 3 numbers from this revolver) was a Cavalry revolver assigned to Troop F 6th Cavalry and 41757 was assigned to the New York Militia. The discrepancy between the time when the SN was assigned and when it was likely assembled into a civilian revolver is explained by the fact that these condemned parts were not reused until the entire Government contract was fulfilled. The majority of etched panel single actions known today have nickel finish. The high polished blue as found here was easily worn and soon disappeared when subjected to extended use and holster wear. Finding one today with such high orig finish is a very great rarity. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching, grip as noted. Bbl retains about 70% glossy, high polish orig blue with loss areas from holster wear which is now a medium brown patina with some very fine pitting on right side of muzzle. Etched panel is crisp and clean showing strong blue on the lettering. Ejector housing retains 75-80% glossy, orig blue with loss areas also from holster wear. Frame retains most of its brilliant, orig case colors, lightly faded on left recoil shield. Loading gate retains about 50% faded colors. Hammer retains about 75% brilliant case colors showing wear on right side, turned dark on top edge. Cyl retains strong blue in the flutes with thin blue on the outer diameter. Chambers retain most of their orig blue. Trigger guard & backstrap retain bright, high polish blue in the more sheltered areas, moderately thinned on front & backstraps. Grip is sound showing moderate edge wear and retains most of a very old varnish finish, possibly from the factory. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. A truly rare Colt. 49152-1 JR (27,500-42,500) – Lot 3209 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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VERY RARE COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.