This is a very desirable ship location from Colt, along with the Letter verifying the location. This is an ANTIQUE Black Powder Colt SAA, and shipped to New Orleans, Louisiana ! Over the decades I have seen many N.O. shipped single actions BUT, BUT were smokeless after 1900, and most went to Baldwin, N.O. Besides the city the dealer is VERY rare for this location, H&D Folsom Arms Co. This is the same as the early dealer in the 1870's from NY. Serial No. 18026X was shipped in September of 1898, three months prior to the smokeless era, still an antique. It shipped as you see it, 5-1/2 inch barrel, 38/40, Blue & Rubber, 1 Only.

Currently the Colt has about 25-30% original blue present, the balance a pleasing original untouched medium gray patina. the case colors mostly silvered out, but some "puddling" of colors. ALL Factory applied markings are present and clear: frame patents, serial numbers (all matching) and left side barrel caliber. ALL parts are the original, and the WORKING action is PERFECT , no mechanical problems!! The hard rubber grips show hand wear, the checkering still present, but worn, but NO damage. All screw head slots are clean and NOT buggered. this Colt has seen excellent care for 126 years, and in a VERY exotic and colorful location in the South, NEW ORLEANS, LA.

PRICE $3,995

In the field of collecting Colt Single Action Army revolvers, the United States Cavalry Issued revolvers hold a special place. They appeal to collectors of the Old West and Military collectors. Within that category there are very special groups based on year, volume produced and especially the Military Inspector. The desirability of Inspectors is based on time and quantity! Henry Nettleton is a scarce Inspector, based on the small number he inspected. In the neighborhood of around 4,000. He had two periods which were interrupted with illness, so a rare and desired addition to a collection. Beyond that there were characteristics ONLY found in the Nettleton series. The Barrel address had NO dashes before and after the company address. Also, the address die was broken so there is NO complete cross bar on top of the T in patent, plus there were TWO dashes under the O in company. Personal uniqueness were the HN markings in more places than any other inspector, EVEN on the Hammer. They were everywhere, barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, frame, back strap. and hammer. Plus the right hand grip. This was present for only a short period, July - September 1878.

This Henry Nettleton, Serial No. 5056X was shipped and delivered to the Government on September 18, 1878. in a quantity of 150. The revolvers were blued and had case colored frames, with a 7-1/2 inch barrel. Right now ! the barrel is still 7-1/2 inches, however the blue has aged into a patina over the last 146 years. There is original blue in some of the flutes, but the overall surface is a pleasing medium gray patina. There is some "puddling" showing ghost traces of case color.  The surface is smooth NO pitting, and ALL factory and Inspector markings are present an very clear ! . The working action is 100% correct, and even the shows the stronger main spring used in U.S. issued Single Actions.

The Henry Nettleton cartouche shows wear and it is not very pronounced.

In the world of 100% ORIGINAL Henry Nettleton U.S. revolvers this is really a very fine specimen and ALL correct.

The U.S. is clearly seen on frame, plus correct patents date.

The Greer Inspector cartouche is still clear and present on the left grip as is the 1878 date.

Even though the revolver is an original untouched natural patina you can see hidden original blue tones.

PRICE $ 8,000

This Colt, Serial No. 12638X is a Black Powder Colt, and chambered  (according to letter) in .32 Rifle Cartridge, which is 32WCF a.k.a. 32/20.  Unusual for EARLY or any Black Powder Single Action. Letter states 4-3/4. Blue, Rubber, and here is what is intriguing:

Shipped to R. STANHOPE, PARIS TEXAS August 8, 1888, ONE in shipment !

As of this writing, R. Stanhope was  known to be a Colt Distributor in Paris, Texas. Researching exposes some western history. This Colt was shipped to Stanhope just prior to the Johnson Co. War, and maybe went with Texans who went north to the Johnson Co. Cattle Wars in Wyoming. Stanhope was known to have supplied many participants with their weapons. Being a one of one shipment is intriguing.

Overall the original blue finish is about 45% present, the balance is a blending blue gray patina.  It has traces of frame case color on frame and hammer. The Eagle Pattern hard rubber grips show normal hand wear and are in excellent condition with no damage.

The working action is as it left the factory, crisp and 100% correct: notches, cylinder rotation, locking tight etc... This is a scarce/ rare Single Action as it shipped, BUT has potential for real significant history.

PRICE $5,250

COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .. ROLL DIE..  44/40..COLT FACTORY LETTER..

One of the most exotic letters Colt Collectors are always pleased to buy are Territorial Shipped Single Action Army revolvers. All the Territories were until 1912 " wild & wooly" places on the American Western Frontier. New Mexico Territory was most certainly one of them, Las Vegas N.M. T. was wild enough to be a whole chapter in Western History. This Frontier Six Shooter went to Albuquerque very close to heavy Mining/Silver and Large Cattle Ranches. the CFSS appears as the Letter states: 4-3/4 inches. blue, 44/40 cal. hard rubber.

Territorial revolvers saw hard and prolonged use, therefore the blue finish is all but gone, leaving an untouched original gray patina. All the factory applied markings are very clear: barrel address, CFSS left side of barrel, ALL matching serial numbers, 15168X, and clear frame patents. The WORKING action is 100% correct, and functions as it did in 1893, no problems. No telling where or what this old territorial CFSS did, but always in demand by collectors,

PRICE $4,650

The Eagle Pattern hard rubber grips show normal hand wear for an every day used Colt. Checkering is stii present and the Eagle & Banner are still visibly present. The left grip shows an "under chip"  front bottom edge, other than that good condition.

Serial No. 9915X is relatively early in the nickel plating process for Colt and best of all, the Factory Letter states Nickel Plated. This Colt shipped on April 11, 1884 to Hartley & Graham in NY, in a shipment of 50. Quoting a Colt document, " finding a fine early era nickel revolver is a rare find". This specimen has about 45-50% original nickel finish, some scattered throughout with the heaviest concentration on the frame, hammer and cylinder. ALL factory applied markings are clear and present: barrel address, frame patents, serial numbers (ALL matching) and caliber on trigger guard shoulder. Perhaps most important the Colt is 100% mechanically correct, ALL the working actions function 100% correctly. An outstanding feature of this Single Action is the one piece Ivory grip. Showing normal handling maarks, BUT NO damage ! After 139 years thay have achieved the natural wonderful mellow yellow patina, with age striations on the butt. Real and untouched since being palced on this revolver. The letter says grips, unlisted, so maybe factory, more likely the selling distributor OR done at the Colts final destination, either way 139 years ago!

Considering it was a 50 Colt shipment, you know they went WEST ! that is where the demand existed. It is extremely difficult to find EARLY Black Powder configuration Single Actions today, let alone long barrel, Ivory grip and EARLY nickel.

PRICE $5,850

There is no question this Ainsworth has been on the raw frontier and shows it's 149 years of age ! Serial No. 1250X was shipped to the Cavalry, maybe San Antonio Depot, on July 29, 1874. Since then, we can only guess the service it has endured. At that time about 322 were shipped, for issue to select cavalry units. 50 to a crate. I found it fascinating that of the approximate 12,000 Ainsworth revolvers produced, ONLY about 1,600 + or- are accounted for in collections! That means in any condition, not just all original. This Ainsworth , excluding the barrel length, is ALL original. It has ALL the parts it left Hartford with, no replacements. The barrel, in the day ( late 1800's) was re-sighted and shortened to Six Inches, and shows appropriate matching wear. ALL Serial Numbers are matching, TG, BS, Frame, cylinder, and barrel, even faded in the one piece Walnut grip channel. Many features to the EARLY SAA's are present: Italic Barrel Address, 1st style ejector housing, long knurled face hammer , the 1872 two line frame patent ,bulls eye ejector head and Inspector marks.  Regarding Ainsworth Inspector markings: There are only two visible ones present, one on the trigger guard below serial number and one on the back strap behind trigger notch. This Ainsworth saw HARD use on the Frontier. Even the U.S. ( note: the early smaller size US ) is worn where the S is barely visible, while the U is definitively there. This Colt saw , as I said, unusual hard wear, even the Italic barrel address is hard worn, BUT visible.

These are the original factory one piece Walnut grips, as in the channel and barely visible is the serial Number. They show years and years of hand wear, as the wood is rounded on the edges. Most IMPORTANT: the working action functions correctly. It half cocks for loading/unloading, advances the cylinder each time pulled to the rear, the cylinder aligns with the chamber and locks, ready to fire. Incredible for 149 years ! By virtue of it's early production for the U.S. and the earliest Inspector it is a HIGHLY desirable Colt, in any form, and this one is 100% authentic, Remember only 1,600 of about 12,000 are known to exist today !

PRICE $7,650

SOME ORIGINAL BLUE REMAINS IN SEVERAL FLUTES

             1888

A COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY ,45, with a HISTORY

This Colt Single Action has a story, and it displays part of that story in Nevada. Serial No.12784X is a Colt that was carried by a proud owner from Eureka Nevada in 1888. Currently it is a soft-medium gray finish, with traces of some darkening patina. The dark areas appear on the frame, and easily could be remnants of case color. All factory applied markings are present: barrel address, frame patents, matching serial numbers. ALL the parts are original to the Single Action, except the Nevada Silver accented Pearl Grips. They would have been added by the owner, wanting to show some embellishment to his Colt.

The right grip is decorated with the history of Nevada, SILVER! It has a 1/2 inch wide semi-diagonal stripe, with a 5 point Star below, and a 6 Point Star above. Both grips are original Pearl, with  the color and iridescence of old pearl. Why not ? Eureka, Nevada was a Silver Boom town, like Tombstone or any other. Beginning in the 1860's and going strong until the late 1890's when some of the silver mines played out. Gambling it seem was always inherent to Nevada and was unregulated. Along with the sport came the men that followed strikes and took advantage of the semi lawless boom towns. One such establishment in Eureka was the "Opera House". Like any glamorous Colt Single story comes with ! This Colt was owned by an individual who was considered a " man to reckon with" One evening engaging in a high stakes poker game, it went into the pot. He busted out ! then this Colt stayed in Eureka until the 1940's  It traveled after that and remained in one collectors possession for more than 25+ years, before being offered to another. The old Single Action exhibits true Western Frontier heritage, with Nevada Silver on the Grip. PRICE $ 4,850 SOLD

Currently, the working actions are perfect ! It, safety cocks, 1/2 cocks. full cocks, the cylinder rotates, locks tight into position, and the hammer releases to fire, NO mechanical problems here !

This is a very unique Holster. As it exhibits the early Slim Jim style Holster, folded over into a wide Skirt and under two loops ! Very much a transitional holster from Slim Jims to the Over the Cartridge Belt Loop Holster. It remains in very good condition, with no damage or broken stitching.  It is a dark brown color , and not brittle.

PRICE $450 SOLD / HOLD

This Colt New Line .22 is early in production, as it has the short fluted cylinder, and external bolt notches. The ones after 16,000 have the long fluted cylinder and no exposed bolt stop notches. Serial No. 908X would have been manufactured in 1874 and was Factory Engraved. It has the 2-1/4 inch flat side barrel with the acid etched panel on the left side of barrel, Colt New 22. Approximately it has about 97% of the original factory nickel finish, the only loss being at the face of the cylinder caused by firing. ALL factory applied markings: barrel address, caliber marking on frame and serial number is very clear and present. The New Line is further enhanced by original factory Ivory grips, numbered to the revolver. The grips have NO damage and a perfect antique Ivory patina.

The barrel flat has a 100% acid etched panel, COLT NEW 22.

All the factory engraving is clear present and easily seen, still very sharp and present. The working action is fine except the bolt stop spring is weak, otherwise it cocks, indexes and locks tight for firing.

These New Lines saw hard use and in 1877 Colt discontinued the .22 due to stiff competition. Therefore this .22 Factory Engraved New Line is in miraculous condition being 147 years of age !

PRICE $1,850

LISTED IN DON WILKERSON'S BOOK on 1878'S , AS ONLY 65 EVER MANUFACTURED !

COLT MODEL 1878 DA, in32/20 CALIBER with 5-1/2 INCH BARREL...

This Model 1878 is among the rarities of big frame Colts, as it is a 32/20 caliber, and with a 5-1/2 inch barrel. As stated above, in Wilkerson's Book on '78's only 65 were ever manufactured in this configuration and caliber. I have not seen the other 64 and never will, but I will say, this is PROBABLY the top 1 or 2 in condition. It has about 95-96% of the original bright factory nickel plate finish, and almost ALL the fire blue on the hammer, trigger and screw heads. A very attractive contrast of colors.

ALL factory applied markings are present, barrel address, caliber, serial numbers etc.... Serial No. 4845X has a PERFECT working action, both on Single Action, and Double Action modes.

PRICE $ 3,250 SOLD / HOLD

PERFECT CONDITION CHECKERED HARD RUBBER GRIPS WITH LOGO.